Self-Care is Common Sense

Self-Care is Common Sense

When you think of self-care, do visions of manicures and mimosas pop into your head? If so, you have a wildly skewed misconception of what it means to care for yourself. Self-care is comprised of the actions you take each day and it plays a significant role in your overall well-being, including your mental health.

If you’re already struggling with depression, addiction or low self-esteem, your self-care strategies can help pick you up where life let you down. UK-based mental health nonprofit Mind explains that actions, such as keeping a diary, nourishing your social life and squeezing therapeutic activities into your day, can help prevent recurrences of mental health problems while improving your overall well-being.

Self-care is…

Self-care is simply the practice of doing things that make you feel good both mentally and physically. For some, it may mean establishing a healthy balance between work and personal life. Others may find that a midday nap lifts their spirits and keeps their mind sharp. The point is that self-care is something that can be tailored to your unique needs. However, there are actions that everyone can take to boost their physical and mental health. These include:
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• Getting the right amount of sleep. Sleep is the only time your body truly has a chance to heal. As you drift in and out of slumber, your hormones, muscles and heart kick into high gear to route resources where they are needed. As an example, your body produces more growth hormone while you sleep, which repairs muscle damage. Likewise, your emotional health is affected by sleep and lack thereof. Neurocore Brain Performance Centers links sleep deprivation to impaired cognition, depression and ADHD.
• Nurturing healthy relationships. Our social, emotional and professional relationships play a part in our mental health by providing conversation, easing loneliness and helping us find purpose in our existence. Having healthy relationships with friends and family provides a support system, which is something we all need from time to time. Canopy Health further explains the connection between self-care and relationships.
• Living in the present. If you’ve ever met someone that can’t seem to let go of the past, it’s likely you felt sorry for them and possibly even concerned about their future. But if you take a closer look at yourself, you may find that you’re holding onto things from yesterday that should have been long forgotten. Part of your self-care plan should be learning to let go of the past and soak up the moments that make up your present. You should also practice saying no to others so that you may better focus on your own current needs.
• Engaging in leisure activities. Dr. Mark Parisi, a Chicago-based psychologist, explains that hobbies can improve mental health by staving off depression, boosting mood, and lowering stress levels. Hobbies are not just fun and games; they are a vital part of self-care. Many people find that playing music, specifically instruments, such as the clarinet, that require physical and mental engagement, is a pastime that helps clear the mind. If you’ve never played an instrument, you should know they range in price from just a few dollars to several thousand. Avoid adding additional stress to yourself by simply renting your instrument of choice before making a huge financial commitment.
• Paying attention to the body. Certainly one of the most important parts of your self-care plan should be listening to your body and paying attention to cues that indicate there’s a problem. If you have a fever, for instance, understand that is your body’s way of fighting off illness and means you should probably get some rest. Similarly, if you find that you feel ill after eating certain foods, your body is telling you it doesn’t want them. Do things for yourself that enhance instead of deplete your physical health.

​Remember, self-care isn’t selfish and it’s certainly not just for fun. Caring for your mind and body can be as simple as applying these common sense actions to your lifestyle.
​Image via Pixabay

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Guest post by: Brad Krause
Brad's website:  selfcaring.info/
Brad's contact:  brad@selfcaring.info



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