Dealing with your mental health is something everyone can relate to. At one point or another, you’ve gone through an experience that causes you to make a conscious decision to focus on yourself. This is exactly what self-care is.
Self-care is an important part of mental health. In the United States, 1.1% of adults experience schizophrenia; 2.6% of adults live with bipolar disorder; 6.9% of people battle depression; and 18.1% of us experience anxiety disorders. This means there are plenty of people out there whose mental health will especially benefit from implementing self-care routines. In addition, there are also plenty of people who are experiencing eating disorders that need immediate help and residential eating disorder treatment. If you’re someone looking for some new self-care options, here are a few good ones to try out.
Music
Sometimes, listening to your favorite tunes is the only way to get through a stressful day. Grab your headphones and most-listened-to playlist or throw on a classic old record and get lost in the music. This could also mean buying a ticket to a show for an artist you like that’s coming to town or even picking up the guitar yourself and making your own music. Taking the time to do things you enjoy is exactly what self-care is all about.
Retail Therapy
Retail therapy can be incredibly rewarding for some, though less rewarding for their bank accounts. However, buying yourself nice things, even if it isn’t a major shopping spree, is important. You deserve to have nice things and it’s okay to splurge every now and then. For example, some 86% say receiving flowers makes them feel special. On top of that, over 60% of flowers are bought as a personal treat, not for someone else. If you’re feeling stressed, treating yourself might be the perfect remedy.
Take a Shower or Bath
Taking a shower or bath can be beneficial for a few reasons. First off, submerging yourself or even just splashing hot or cold water on your face will release endorphins which cause you to feel better. Additionally, a bath’s hot water can be incredibly soothing when you’re stressed. Hot water is good for your tense muscles and it’s almost like it wraps you in a hug, which is good for your mental health. Pick up some bubbly soap, grab a glass of wine, and relax in the tub. The alone time is also key to rejuvenating your mental health.
Take a Nap
Sometimes your mental health slips because you’re overtired. Americans tend to overwork themselves when it comes to going to work, meeting up with friends, and taking care of other responsibilities. As such, taking breaks is all the more important. If you’re feeling tired, overwhelmed, or on edge, a nap may be exactly what you need. You can’t be your best self if you’re functioning on a low battery. Recognizing when you need to take a break is vital to self-care and strong mental health.
There are lots of ways to manage your mental health by practicing self-care. If these examples didn’t grab your interest or spur any ideas for you, focus on the things you enjoy. What do you like to do? What calms you? What reenergizes you? Self-care is all about you, so figure out what helps you be your best and implement these activities into your normal routine.