Three Ways to Practice Self-Care

One of the most overlooked things by people today is self-care. Sometimes, people get so caught up in their life they forget to take time for themselves. One aspect of self-care is keeping tabs on your mental health. Even small acts of self-care can affect your mental health positively. Finding a form of self-care that works for you and fits your lifestyle can be challenging. In this article, I am going to explain three different kinds of self-care that work for many and that you should definitely try out!

#1 Getting a healthy amount of sleep every night

    When you do not get enough sleep, it can negatively affect your mental health. It can cause moodiness and can cause stress to your relationships. It can also cause you to have a lower attention span. However, getting enough sleep at night can reduce anxiety and health risks. If you are struggling to get enough sleep at night, try making a schedule with a set time to go to sleep and a set time to wake up. Getting a good amount of sleep can improve your mental health and your quality of life.

#2 Making time for down-time

    It can be very easy to get caught up in your life and forget about taking time to care for yourself. With school and/or a job, it can be hard to find time to really focus on yourself. It is very important to find time to rest or do things that you would enjoy. For example, take thirty minutes out of your day to read a book or sit outside in the sun. It does not have to be for an extended amount of time. Taking 15 minutes a day to shut everything off and just close your eyes and relax can bring many positive benefits for your mental health.

#3 Finding a hobby that you enjoy

    There are many hobbies that do not take a lot of time to participate in and can affect your health positively. Some people like to knit; others may read or exercise. Whatever your hobby may be, find time to participate in it. Doing something you love can help ease your mind and help you relax, which your body definitely needs.

    There are many other kinds of self-care that are not listed in this article. If none of these peak your interest, research different kinds. Your mental and physical health should not be overlooked, and self-care can be a great way to improve both!

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Resources :

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Caring for your mental health. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health#part_8445

University Health Service. Ten Things You Can Do for Your Mental Health | University Health Service. (n.d.). Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://uhs.umich.edu/tenthings

Miles, M. (2022, May 20). Cracking the code on how to take care of your mental health. BetterUp. Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://www.betterup.com/blog/how-to-take-care-of-mental-health?hs_amp=true

Team, B. and S. (2022, March 25). Here's what happens when you don't get enough sleep (and how much you really need a night). What Happens When You Don't Get Enough Sleep? – Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/happens-body-dont-get-enough-sleep/amp/

Kooiman-Cox, L. (2022, February 14). 8 types of self-care. Willowstone Family Services. Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://www.willowstone.org/news/8-types-of-self-care

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Kylee Roberts, MH Virtual Assistant

Co-Written by Amber Madden, LPCC-S