Investing in self-care is an act of self-love that should always be cherished! If you also feel constantly tired, find yourself taking care of others before yourself and experience emotion dysregulation, then self-care can be a step towards better wellness. The word self-care does not just mean buying expensive stuff, spa days, or going for a vacation – Self-care can be found in everyday, simple activities as well.
If your mind and body also need some self-care and compassion, then this blog is for you! You can find the importance of self-care through the lens of psychology through this blog.
What Self-Care Really Means (Beyond Spa Days)
Self-care can be explained as the healthy activities the individual engages in for the betterment of themselves. Self-care can be done for several reasons, such as:
1. Preventing chronic illness
2. Coping with health challenges
3. Maintenance of overall wellness
Now, to engage in self-care beyond spa days, some of the many meaningful activities can include:
1. Being kind to self
2. Expressing gratitude
3. Taking short breaks
4. Eating healthy food
5. Developing social support
6. Managing time effectively
7. Pursuing hobbies
8. Staying hydrated
9. Exercising regularly
10. Financial planning
The Psychology Behind True Rest and Renewal
Rest and renewal are essential for different facets of health, such as social, physical, mental, etc. Psychologists often encourage clients to engage in healthy self-care practises for ensuring better overall wellness. Just like after a good 6-8 hours' sleep, one feels refreshed and more active, similarly, our brain also needs psychological rest. This rest can be ensured through self-care activities. It allows the individual to unwind and feel calmer. The nervous system can also feel relaxed during this time.
True Self-Care in Mental Health: What Actually Works
Self-care in mental health often involves healthy and meaningful activities that can restore emotional and mental wellness. There are a lot of such activities that can be useful, such as:
1. Taking time for yourself
2. Going to therapy for awareness
3. Refraining from people-pleasing
4. Being mindful of thoughts for yourself
5. Creating inner and outer safety
There can be various forms of self-care, and a few of those have been mentioned below. You are free to choose the self-care activities for yourself as per your goals, needs and convenience.
Emotional Self-Care
- Becoming emotionally aware
- Acknowledging one’s emotions
- Responding instead of reacting
- Setting healthy emotional boundaries
- Being compassionate to oneself
Cognitive Self-Care
- Reducing mental clutter
- Decreasing cognitive overload
- Using time management strategies
- Regulating attention and focus
- Playing games that improve mental functioning
Physical Self-Care with Psychological Intent
- Exercising regularly
- Yoga and meditation
- Sports activities
- Sleep regulation
- Healthy, nutritious diet
Signs You’re Rested, Not Just Relaxed
You can observe your body, and there can be certain signs indicating that you are feeling rested, not just relaxed. These signs can include:
1. Ability to concentrate better
2. Increased ease and motivation
3. Better emotion regulation
4. Reduced irritation and anger
5. Feeling calmness from inside
How to Build Sustainable Self-Care into Daily Life
Self-care in mental health, social health and physical health often encourages daily activities that can be included in the routine. This can be achieved by starting from very basic level activities that one is easily able to engage in. Self-care always involves being kind to oneself, which can be included in a daily routine by being careful of the words one chooses to describe oneself, the thoughts that one entertains and the behaviour engaged in. Refraining from unhelpful habits such as smoking, consumption of alcohol, etc., can also be useful as one plan to develop a healthier routine.
Self-Care Is a Psychological Skill, not a Luxury
As you embark on this journey of taking care of yourself, remember that it will require you to be patient. There may be moments when you slip back into old habits, and instead of reacting to them impulsively, try becoming more observant, learn from those times and include your learnings in future activities. Engaging in self-care can be a skill which might need some practice to sharpen. During this process, remember to be gentle with yourself!
Closing Thoughts: Returning to the Self
At Athena OKAS, we encourage self-care activities and help you incorporate those in your daily activities. Our mental health organisation is specially designed for females who want to restore their wellness and achieve better mental health. We conduct individual counselling sessions, family counselling sessions, diverse therapies, peer support groups, etc., in the journey of recovery and building resilience.
You can contact us today by calling us at +91 9289730444, and we would be happy to assist you!
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