6 months ago
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SELF-CARE HAS been defined as a multidimensional, multifaceted process of purposeful engagement in strategies that promote healthy functioning and enhance well-being. In simpler terms, self-care is all about caring for yourself, as the name suggests, to ensure your physical and emotional needs are met.
Good self-care can take on many forms. It could be ensuring we get enough sleep every night or stepping outside for a few minutes for some fresh air. It can also mean taking the time to do what we enjoy.
Sometimes, you might need more self-care in one specific area to restore balance or find relief from a stressor in your life. To care for your health and well-being, it is important to find a balance that allows you to address each of these areas.
Unfortunately, however, many of us view self-care as a luxury rather than a priority. Consequently, we are left feeling overwhelmed, tired, and ill-equipped to handle life’s inevitable challenges.
According to Margo O’Sullivan, clinical mental health counsellor, it is important to assess how you are caring for yourself in several different domains so you can ensure you are caring for your mind, body, and spirit.
“Your thoughts and the things that are on your mind greatly influence your psychological well-being. Mental self-care involves doing things that help you stay mentally healthy. Practising self-compassion and self-acceptance, for example, helps maintain a healthier inner dialogue,” O’Sullivan said.
“It also includes doing things that keep your mind sharp, like puzzles, or learning about a subject that fascinates you. You might read books or watch movies that inspire you and fuel your mind,” she added.
O’Sullivan encourages persons to explore their purpose. “Purpose allows people to feel fulfilled, which is good for overall well-being. Knowing one’s purpose is also helpful in focusing on what really matters,” she said.
A lifestyle including religion or spirituality is generally a healthier lifestyle.
Nurturing your spirit, however, does not have to involve religion. It can involve anything that helps you develop a deeper sense of meaning, understanding, or connection with the universe.
Whether you enjoy meditation, attending a religious service or praying, spiritual self-care is essential.
It is important to have healthy coping skills to deal with uncomfortable emotions, like anger, anxiety, and sadness. Emotional self-care may include activities that help us acknowledge and express our feelings regularly and safely.
“Whether you talk to a partner or close friend about how you feel, or you set aside time for leisure activities that help you process your emotions, it is important to incorporate emotional self-care into your life,” O’Sullivan said.
HOW CAN I TAKE CARE OF MY MENTAL HEALTH?
Get regular exercise: Just 30 minutes of walking every day can boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so do not be discouraged if you cannot do 30 minutes at one time.
Eat healthy meals; stay hydrated: A balanced diet and plenty of water can improve your energy and focus throughout the day. Pay attention to your intake of caffeine and alcohol and how they affect your mood and well-being. For some, decreasing caffeine and alcohol consumption can be helpful.
Make sleep a priority: Stick to a schedule, and make sure you are getting enough sleep. Blue light from devices and screens can make it harder to fall asleep, so reduce blue light exposure from your phone or computer before bedtime.
Try a relaxing activity: Explore relaxation or wellness programmes or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activities you enjoy, such as listening to music, reading, spending time in nature, and engaging in low-stress hobbies.
Set goals and priorities: Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say no to new tasks if you start to feel like you are taking on too much. Try to appreciate what you have accomplished at the end of the day.
Practise gratitude: Remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for. Be specific. Write them down or replay them in your mind.
Focus on positivity: Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts.
Stay connected: Reach out to friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help.
Self-care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what you need and enjoy. It may take trial and error to discover what works best for you.
SOURCE: National Institute of Mental Health, Health Talk Sundays
English (US) ·