The Simple Link Between Self-Care and Better Mental Health

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Do you find yourself struggling to get through the day? Do you look forward to putting your head on the pillow to escape the stress of the world? Or maybe you feel like you are starting to lose your mind. These are all signs that you need to invest in your self-care.

But what is self-care? To put it simply, it's exactly as it sounds. It's any activity that you actively do to take care of you, and technology can even aid your efforts. This can be as simple as grabbing a morning cup of coffee or taking a relaxing soak in the tub. Let's look at some of the mental health benefits of self-care courtesy of Mobile Fitness and Pilates Corp.

Self-care makes you healthier

Taking care of your skin not only improves your physical health, it can boost your mental health by making you feel more confident. Climate, prolonged sun exposure, and other environmental and lifestyle factors can harm your skin and accelerate its aging process. That's why skincare is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Make sure you're using quality skincare treatments that are free from toxic ingredients like parabens and GMOs.

Additionally, Mayo Clinic explains that incorporating exercise into your self-care regimen can improve your mental health, giving you more energy, lifting your mood, and helping you be more resilient when troubles come your way. If you need a motivator, a fitness tracker or a pair of running shoes can inspire you and help you meet your goals.

Self-care makes you happy

Part of self-care is doing things that you know will make you healthier and give you peace. And that, in turn, makes you happy. If you regularly practice self-care, you'll likely see an overall boost in your mood. However, it's not just about your daily outlook. According to CNN, being happy can help you live longer, citing a recent study showing that people who were happy with their lives were 35 percent less likely to die prematurely.

Being happy doesn't have to be complex. You don't need a rule book or list to find out what makes you happy. You know what makes you happy. Don't be afraid to do things for yourself. Buy yourself a plant, book yourself a spa day, take yourself out for lunch, or spend an afternoon perusing the aisles of your local bookstore. If you enjoy kicking back and listening to music, splurge a little on a great pair of headphones (which come in a wide variety of different styles) that will make your favorite artists sound incredible.

Sometimes, doing what makes you happy involves putting in a bit of work, but the results can mean less stress and more calmness. One example is keeping your home organized. Clutter can be a major contributor of negative energy, which goes hand in hand with stress. Take the time to declutter your living space to make room for more feel-good vibes.

Self-care makes you more present

Self-care can be something as simple as journaling. MindBodyGreen explains that journaling can increase your focus on your day-to-day events and make you more mindful. It’s a chance to touch base with yourself, evaluate how things are, celebrate positives, and even do some venting.

There is no one-size-fits-all for keeping a journal. There are many different ways to journal. The best part of self-care is you get to choose the right approach that works for you. If one way doesn't work, try another. The journal's style and aesthetics should please you, so you engage every day. Check out some journaling apps like Penzu and Diario.

Learning to be more present can have a positive effect on your relationships. When you pay attention to what you do and how things make you feel, you are more likely to understand how your actions and the actions of others affect your relationships and your overall mental health.

Self-care is important, but too often it is neglected. It is important that you make time just for you. Not just every once in a while, but every day. Self-care can make you happy, healthy, and more mindful. Most importantly, it can improve your mental health. It doesn't have to be complicated, and it doesn't have to be elaborate; the most important thing to understand is that self-care is about you.

Sheila Olson

fitsheila.com /info@fitsheila.com