Lots of people have the wrong idea about what self care truly is. In the movies, it’s portrayed by pampering yourself in a bubble bath or heading on a yoga retreat. And, while those things are great for a bit of self care, it doesn’t necessarily look like that. In fact, there are lots of ways you can practise self care on a day to day basis that will help keep your mental health in the best state possible. Let’s check them out.
Drink more water
Admittedly this one seems like general health and well-being, but it’s actually one of the best things you can do for your mental health. That’s because lots of us are actually dehydrated without even knowing it, and that leads to fatigue, brain fog and general feelings of mental unwellness. Try to start the day with a large glass of water, and remember to keep sipping throughout the day to stay at your best.
See a therapist
There’s such a stigma about getting therapy, but there doesn’t need to be! For many, seeing a therapist means you’ve gone overboard and lost your cool – well, that’s how the movies portray it anyway. Therapy is there to help prevent that. It doesn’t matter if your mental health isn’t as poor as the next person – if you want to stay on top of your mental health and avoid going down that rabbit hole, therapy is absolutely something to consider.
Keep a gratitude journal
It’s easy to see the downsides of each day, especially when you’re doing the same kinds of things day in and day out. Keeping a gratitude journal where you write down at least three good things that happened during the day almost forces the mind to think in a more positive way. If you do this once a day, you’ll find that you’re generally happier overall and that you’re actually looking forward to writing at the end of the day.
Take the time to plan meals
What you eat greatly contributes to the way you feel mentally. Junk food has that name for more than one reason! If you’re eating junk food regularly, you’re not giving your brain the nutrients it needs to thrive. And, when it doesn’t have those nutrients, producing happy hormones is much harder, and therefore may make your mental health decline. Not only that, if you’re eating well, you’ll feel and look healthier, which will help your mental health too.
Remove yourself from the media
Finally, while the online world is a weird and wonderful place to be, it can also be extremely toxic too. The media shoves ideals of how we should look, act and dress from every angle, and it can quickly take a toll on your mental health. Try removing yourself from the media, even if it’s only for a short while. We’re not saying isolate yourself completely; we’re simply saying don’t allow yourself to doom scroll and get into your own head about things that are going on in the media!
