Six simple steps to mental health management

Even though the comforts and luxuries of everyday life are now more than ever, an increasing number of people speak of discontent, stress and loneliness. Caught up in a whirlwind of personal commitments and unforgiving deadlines, what often takes a backseat to our priorities is our own selves.

A self-care routine is important because stressors can change in form and context, but they will never go away from your life. And the sooner we accept this reality and prepare to face it, the better off we will be. Personal care is not a luxury, it is a priority if you do not want to feel overwhelmed by life, unhappy or exhausted.

1) Give your body time

Self-care begins by taking care of our physical well-being. Even in the midst of our pressures, taking time out for physical activity, or preferably playing a sport, can do wonders for physical and mental health. Simple steps like eating regular meals, staying hydrated, feeling the breeze on your face, and ensuring 6-9 hours of sleep every night also go a long way. Stay away from substances: they affect our mood and our health.

2) Disconnect from time to time

We cannot talk about self-care without talking about how technology has impacted our daily lives. What started out as a way to increase efficiency and make our lives easier has now become one of our biggest sources of stress. We find it hard to unplug from our gadgets, whether for work or to rejuvenate. Take some time away from gadgets to recharge yourself. Stay away from screens before bed and engage in offline real space activities. You will sleep better.

3) Rest and Relaxation

Beyond taking breaks from braces, a little R&R is important, not only to improve self-care but also to improve productivity. Take a short break after every 45 minutes of work. At the same time, balance job responsibilities in a way that allows for downtime, to allow us to come back stronger and sustain our efforts.

4) Be creative

As adults, recreational activities don’t always find room in our busy schedules. Asking people what they do for fun or what their hobbies are is met with confused silence. Creative activities are a great way to relax, disconnect from the stressors around us, and express ourselves freely. Participate in artistic activities such as painting, music or dance as a way to rejuvenate yourself. It may also be helpful to learn other skills, not necessarily directly related to your job, that you think can improve your overall quality of life.

Buy now | Our best subscription plan now has a special price

5) Learn to say thank you

The way we perceive the world can also have an impact on our well-being. Shifting perspectives to a positive, growth-oriented mindset helps us deal with the challenges we face. Practicing gratitude is one of those ways to intentionally focus on the positive aspects of any situation.

6) Build a support system

When we feel stressed or overwhelmed by our responsibilities, we tend to withdraw from the people who matter most to us: our family and friends. We may feel like we don’t have the time or energy to make plans, that others won’t understand us, or that we don’t want to burden anyone with our worries. But these are precisely the times when reaching out to our social support system matters most. The self exists in relationship to others, and investing in relationships is perhaps the most crucial element of self-care. Spend quality time with friends and family and strive to create a social support structure even at work. Reach out a hand whenever you can, and at the same time, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Ask yourself if you’re getting enough face-to-face time with your friends and what you’re doing to nurture your relationships with friends and family. Finally, be kind to yourself and be forgiving.