Self Care for Your Mind and Body
By practicing self care for your mind and body, you are setting yourself up for overall wellness. There is a direct relationship between the health of one’s mind and body. By understanding the connection between physical and mental health, you can take the steps you need to achieve both.
There are many methods of practicing self care. Everyone’s needs are different so it is important to find what works for you. The following consists of ideas to help you get started on your self care journey.
Prioritize and Set Goals
Thinking about all that you need to get done can often cause stress. Take time to prioritize your to-do list and decide what can wait. For complicated tasks, you can make them feel more manageable by breaking them down into smaller parts. At the end of the day, try to reflect on the goals that you achieved.
Practice Gratitude
Take time to think about what you are grateful for in life. You may also find it helpful to write these things down, that way you can reflect back on them. By bringing focus to the joys in life, we spend less time thinking about the negatives and often feel happier.
Get Physical
Exercise can be greatly beneficial to the health of your body and mind. Even in small amounts, exercise can improve your health. Try to make exercise enjoyable by finding a form of physical activity that you enjoy. This will help you stay motivated and consistent with your activity.
Improve Your Nutrition and Hydrate
A balanced diet and proper hydration can help improve your overall health. With improved nutrition, you may find yourself feeling more energized and focused throughout the day.
As nutritional needs vary, we encourage you to speak with your healthcare provider to help you create a plan tailored to you.
Stay Connected with Others
Reach out to friends and family for support. Connecting with others can help you build a sense of belonging and improve your mental health.
Know Your Limits
Recognize your limits and learn to say “no” when necessary. When you begin to feel overwhelmed, it can be hard to shake the feeling. Remind yourself that it okay to take a step back for the sake of your own health.
Make Time For Yourself
Prioritize taking time to make yourself happy. This may be done in many ways, such as by reading a book, playing a game, or by doing anything else that might make you happy. Taking time to engage in something that you enjoy can help relieve stress and motivate you to reach your other goals.
Learn More
There is no “one way” to practice self care for your mind and body. Rather, there are many steps you can take towards improving your overall health. It is important to find what works best for you.
To learn more about self care, we recommend speaking with your healthcare provider.
To read more about how to practice self care for your mind and body we recommend the following links:
Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/201812/self-care-12-ways-take-better-care-yourself
NIMH: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health
NAMI “Self Care Inventory”: https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/Extranet-Education/HF15AR6SelfCare.pdf
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