Why Self-Care Is Critical for Mental Health

​It often seems like there’s not enough time in the day to accomplish our tasks, so we skip lunch, stop going to the gym, neglect our relationships, etc. in order to keep up with life’s demands. This ultimately leads to us feeling the negative effects of stress, burning out, losing focus, and many other consequences that lessen our quality of life. Self-care is critical for good mental health, so making space for it in your life is a must if you want to live fulfilled.
 
Mindfully Committing
 
Do you hate saying no to people? No one wakes up and thinks, “I really hope I can let someone down today.” Nonetheless, that’s what saying no feels like sometimes. However, the reality is that when we say yes to everyone and everything, we let more people down than when we say no. None of us has the capacity or time to appease everyone, and overcommitting eventually leads to unhealthy stress, inefficiency, and disappointment. Whether it’s saying no to working overtime or deciding to stay in over the weekend to recuperate, make mindful commitments so that you can give them the necessary attention and energy.

Reducing Stress and Relaxing
 
Although it happens in unpredictable ways, we can fully expect life to bring stressful circumstances. While we can’t control every circumstance, we can control how we respond to them. When we take care of ourselves, we build resilience and lessen the likelihood that we will react negatively to stressors. Picking up a new hobby, deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, and staying active can all help with reducing stress.
 
Such activities also help those in addiction recovery, and adding a social element by joining a gym or playing a team sport is a great way to take care of your mental health while building new relationships. Furthermore, just finding ways to relax and making the time for it will go a long way in enhancing your life. That could mean going to the movies, getting a massage, reading that book you’ve wanted to read, or anything else that brings you joy and peace.
 
Eating Healthfully
 
Food and drink play a major role in how well your body and mind function. Why not give yourself the best nutrition? That doesn’t mean abstaining from fries and ice cream — it just means being conscious of your intake. According to Mental Health America, people who eat a diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, and unsaturated fats are up to 30 percent less likely to form depression than those who eat diets that are heavy on meat and dairy.
 
Avoiding a lot of processed foods and refined sugar is also a safe bet for healthy cognitive function. Most people who experience the positive effects of eating a nutritious diet learn to enjoy healthy foods. So, don’t be surprised if you change your diet and start craving salads.
 
Sleeping
 
Self-care is often the first casualty when life hits us with overwhelming business, and sleep is usually the first part of self-care that we sacrifice. Sleep deprivation affects millions of Americans. It impairs our ability to think clearly and is associated with ADHD in children and adults alike. Also, sleep deprivation is often linked to anxiety and depression. Figuring out a way to fall asleep faster and rest longer will make a drastic difference in your quality of life.
 
Here are just a few of the many things that can help you sleep better:
 
●     Keep your bedroom cool and dark
●     Follow an exercise routine
●     Follow a wake/sleep schedule all week
●     Stop drinking caffeine in the afternoon
●     Unplug from electronics an hour before bed
 
Life gets busy and stressful, and it’s important that we take care of ourselves so that we can respond well. Being willing to say no, doing stress-reducing and relaxing activities, eating healthfully, and getting good sleep are all steps in the right direction. Remember to prioritize your self-care and you’ll put yourself in the position to thrive in any situation.


Author: Brad Krause
Brad Krause is a full time Life Coach
[email protected]

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Photo Credit: Unsplash