What is self-care, and how is it important to our mental health? According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NAMI), self-care is taking the time to partake in activities that you enjoy to help you live well. This is important because our mental health affects how we think, feel, act, make choices, and even how we relate to others. Therefore, having a self-care routine in place can help you manage stress, lower risk of illness, and increase your energy.
Here are some self-care tips:
- Get regular exercise
- Clean your environment
- Eat healthy and stay hydrated
- Make sleep a priority
- Try a relaxing activity such as taking a bath
- Set goals and priorities
- Journal your thoughts and feelings
- Make a gratitude list or letter
- Speak kindly to yourself
- Stay connected with your support system
These are just ideas, but the list goes on. Your mental health is our priority. If you are experiencing severe or distressing symptoms and need help getting back to a functional life, Gulf Coast Behavioral Health wants to help you. Contact us via telephone to schedule an appointment (225)254-9589.
*Self-care is different for everyone and may take trial and error to find what works best for you.
Source: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health
Sarah Allee