The terms ‘self-care’ and ‘mental health’ have been chewed over and regurgitated so thoroughly in recent years that they’ve lost all meaning. Ubiquity and misuse have blurred the lines of what’s actually meant when we refer to looking after our mental health, with everything from taking a bath to heading out on a year’s yoga retreat fair game for pages like these.
But in terms of putting the idea of ‘self care’ into practice and making it work for you, there are a few small changes you can make to your life that will have a major impact on your mood and outlook. With that in mind, here are some top tips for 2022 on putting ‘self care’ into practice.
HOW CAN YOU CREATE A SELF CARE ROUTINE THAT WORKS FOR YOU?
There are countless ways to create a self-care routine that works for you, and so much of this is personal and unique to the individual. That said, here are a few tips to get you started:
Gradual, incremental change is best
First and foremost, be realistic about what you can fit into your schedule. Don’t try to add too many new things at once – start small and gradually add more activities as you become more comfortable.
For instance, if you – all at once – pledge to meditate daily, go for a run each morning, take a probiotics supplement every day to improve gut health, read an hour before bed and go veggie for 5 days out of 7 per week, it might not be sustainable or achievable. Instead, gradual, nuanced change is best.
Clear your mind and schedule with a few health checks
The mind and the body are so inextricably linked that issues with one will almost always be keenly felt in the other. Accordingly, if you’re keen to enact a routine of rigorous self-care in the name of looking after your mental health, it’s a good idea to give your physical health a once over, too.
Some simple health checks that will help you gain peace of mind include:
- Your eye health says a lot about your health as a whole, and only through regular eye check-ups can you be assured that you don’t suddenly need glasses, and that your eyesight isn’t deteriorating because of an as-yet-undiagnosed problem.
- Regular dental check-ups are important for several reasons. Aside from preserving that million dollar smile of yours, a dentist can quickly identify any underlying issues – be it gum disease or even the early signs of oral cancer – and recommend the best course of action before they become a bigger issue.
- If you were wondering how often you should get your hearing tested, it’s recommended that it should happen at least once every two years.
- Should you have any concern about the emergence or presence of unusual moles, you might find peace of mind in getting them seen to. If you suspect that something might be wrong with your moles, consider a mole removal service (after consulting your GP, that is).
Indeed, though it’s been reported that fewer people are seeking medical help out of concerns about COVID-19 being present in GP’s surgeries, hospitals and clinics, it’s important that you don’t suffer in silence should you be concerned about your health.
If you’re one of those people who puts off going to the doctor, then now is the time to make a change, rather than continue to ignore any latent issues. You might find peace of mind doing so, and there really is no greater act of self-care than that.
Prioritise activities that are both healthy and bring you joy
‘Self-care’ can present something of a dichotomy; the things that offer the greatest immediate stress relief aren’t always the habits that are best for our health. That midnight slice of cake, that third glass of wine on a Wednesday, that celebratory cig to signal the end of the working week… These little moments of stress relief might not be doing you many favours.
Instead, try to choose activities that not only make you feel good, but also provide some benefit to your health or wellbeing. This could include anything from taking a relaxing bath to going for a walk in nature, the latter of which is one of the best things you can do for your mood.
Sunlight is good for the soul, make no mistake, with research suggesting that the brain produces more serotonin (the brain’s natural antidepressant) on sunny rather than darker days, so get out there and catch some rays!
Endeavour to make time for yourself every single day
Make time for yourself each day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. During this time, focus on doing something calming that helps you relax. Simply taking a little time each day for self-care gives notice to yourself that you’re a compassionate, caring person.
One of the best uses of this time is to meditate regularly and take stock of whatever situation you’re in and whatever questions life has been throwing at you lately. Just ten minutes a day can do wonders in realigning your perspective. If you’re new to the wonderful world of ‘taking a moment’, there are plenty of apps offering guided meditations and mindfulness exercises for a monthly fee.
Find a self-care buddy
Find a self-care buddy! Having someone to do self-care activities with can make them more enjoyable and help keep you accountable. Plus, the support you find (and give) within a community is passed on, with your circle of self-care growing ever larger and more supportive, which can only be a good thing.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON PITFALLS PEOPLE FALL INTO WHEN IT COMES TO SELF CARE?
There are a few common pitfalls people fall into when it comes to self-care:
– Trying to do too much at once. As mentioned before, it’s essential to be realistic about what you can fit into your schedule. Don’t try to add too many new things at once – start small and gradually add more activities as you become more comfortable.
– Not taking the time to relax and recharge. It’s essential to make time for yourself each day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. During this time, focus on doing something calming that helps you relax.
– Not being consistent with your self-care routine. If you want self-care to be effective, it’s essential to be consistent with it. Choose activities that you enjoy and try to do them at the same time each day/week.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Self-care is essential for a variety of reasons. When you’re taking care of yourself, it allows you to better take care of others. However, there are some common pitfalls people fall into when it comes to self-care: trying to do too much at once, not making time for yourself, and not being consistent with your routine. If you want self-care to be effective, choose activities that make you feel good and try doing them at the same time each day/week!
