Many people think of self-care as a luxury.
Maybe its a bubble bath, a massage, or sitting in silence and meditating for an hour.
Maybe its even a day at the spa or a yoga retreat in the mountains.
It sounds time-consuming, complicated, and expensive, doesnt it?
Thankfully, there is much moreor much lessto self-care than the stereotypical idea of getting pampered.
In fact, self-care is really anything that you do to be good to yourself.
Its taking the time out of your day for YOU.
Its about finding pockets of time throughout your day to do what you oughta do.
Its those small pockets of time that add up and allow us to be our best selves.
Theres good news, however: Your mental health toolkit is already more full than you think.
I cant promise that making changes will be easy, but taking an inventory is a great first step.
Thats why you should start your self-care journey by thinking about your key health behaviors throughout the day.
Look at yourdaily routine.
Sleep
How are you sleeping?
And when you ask yourself this question, dont just count the hours.
More sleep doesnt always meanbetter sleep.
Did you havetrouble falling asleeplast night?
Did you struggle to stay asleep?
When you woke up this morning, did you feel rested?
Did you struggle to get out of bed?
Are you sticking to a regular sleep schedule and avoiding screens and late-night snacking before bed?
You cant fix a leak that you cant find.
Hydration
What does your water intake look like?
If you think youre getting plenty of fluids throughout the day, its worth a double-check.
Health issues which, in turn, can have a detrimental effect on your mental health.
Food Intake
Think about your relationship with food and eating.
Are you having regular meals throughout the day?
Do you find yourself snacking constantly?
Are you usingfood as a coping mechanismfor stress, anxiety, or boredom?
Note that I havent said anything about weight.
And, as with the rest of this physical check-in,food can impact your mental health.
Physical Activity
Are you moving your body enough?Exercising regularly?
Takingstanding breaksif you have a desk job?
How do you feel when you’re moving your body?
Are you winded after a short walk or taking the stairs?
Stress Management
Your check-in doesnt have to be purely physical.
Think about a recent time you felt stressed, maybe relating to work or a personal relationship.
Did you react out of emotion?
How did you respond?
Did you take steps to think about not only your feelings of stress but the underlying issues as well?
Is your first impulse not to think about it at allto push it down and avoid it?
Once again, look at how connected your mind and body are.
What Now?
If youre looking to make some changes in your life, youve taken the first steps.
So, what can you do today with the information gathered in your check-in?
Sounds easy enough, right?
Remember, small things add up and make a big impact.
Dont wait until tomorrow.
Start now, prioritize yourself, and a path to self-improvement will followyouve got this!
