To ensure good mental health, it’s important to make self-care a priority.
“Self-care is like our oxygen,” said Barbara Randall, director of Rutgers University’s Behavioral Health Care Employee Assistance Program. It can be an integral part of our overall well-being.
Practicing self-care increases energy and our ability to function on a daily basis.
Most people think about their bodies when it comes to taking care of themselves. While that’s true, there are other dimensions to self-care, Randall said. Self-care practices include financial, spiritual, environmental, intellectual, physical, and emotional well-being.
People often think of self-care as an all-day event, like having a “spa” day, Randall said. While it’s completely fine to spend an entire day on self-care, it doesn’t have to be.
She insists that just a small dose of self-care every day can have a positive impact on both body and mind.
Take three minutes every morning to do a positive, self-guided meditation. “I think if people recognized it, it could be something as small as that,” she said.
Those who work in the field of mental health receive many negative feelings from other people every day. So for these people to continue to do that, process it and not take it on, they need to be able to take care of themselves so they can give to others, Randall said.
Self-care is not selfish. She said that practicing self-care is investing in yourself, which allows you to be more present in your interactions with others.
Including self-care in our daily lives, for just a few minutes, can do wonders.
Randall said at work, make sure you take a walk on your lunch hour. If you normally sit at your desk, go out in the sun, breathe in the fresh air, have lunch, and just enjoy the peace. Changing the environment is key.
At work, have things on your desk that amuse you, like pictures of your children, animals, or flowers, for example. When things start to get stressful, he said to look at those photos and breathe, just for a minute.
Practice visualization. Randall said to think of a place that brings you joy. If it is the beach, for example, close your eyes for a few minutes, breathe and think about sitting on that beach.
Before bed, get rid of binge-watching TV or cell phone. Instead, take a few minutes to write down five or six things that bring you gratitude. It can be good health, financial stability, a loving relationship; or something positive.
Randall said to always surround yourself with the things you love, whether it’s family, animals, flowers, or books.
Taking a few minutes of “me” time will help recharge your mind, body, and soul.
Jen Ursillo is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can locate it at [email protected]
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