Why Self-Care Is So Important For Your Mental Health And Wellbeing
Self-care is an important aspect of daily life, and is vital to your mental and physical wellbeing. During times of uncertainty, self-care can often be the first thing that is sacrificed. When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy.
Self-care is not an “emergency response plan” to be activated when stress becomes overwhelming. Rather, it is an intentional way of living by our values, attitudes, and actions and integrating them into our daily routine.
What is self-care?
In a general sense, self-care refers to activities undertaken with the intention of enhancing energy, restoring health, and reducing stress. The way people practice self-care is completely dependent on the person. Some may like to take a bath and read a book, while self-care to others may be going on a walk or run. Its benefits are better physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being. Research suggests self-care promotes positive health outcomes, such as fostering resilience, living longer, and becoming better equipped to manage stress.
Establishing a self-care plan
One action you can take to ensure self-care stays a priority is establishing a self-care plan. Black Dog Institute has outlined a framework that you can follow to ensure you prioritise your self-care routine.
1. Evaluate your Coping Skills
What coping strategies do you use when faced with challenges? Are they positive or negative, and what areas do you think you could improve on?
For example, if you cope with challenges by biting your fingernails or withdrawing from conversations, identifying these as issues is the first step to overcome them.
2. Identify your daily self-care needs
Take a moment to consider what you value and need in your everyday life. Then consider what you value and need during these difficult times of uncertainty. It may not seem like the right time to be planning, but time spent now will reap benefits later if you can get a plan in place.
3. Reflect. Examine. Replace
Reflect on the existing coping strategies you have identified and outlined in the previous activities. What’s working? What isn’t working?
4. Create your Self-care Plan
Once you’ve determined your personal needs and strategies, write them down. Your self-care plan can be as simple or as detailed as you need it to be. You may choose to keep a detailed plan on your desk and carry a simplified version in your wallet, in your purse, or on your phone.
Having dedicated time for self-care activities like going for a walk or socialising will allow your body and mind time to rest, rest and rejuvenate. This will help you avoid common symptoms of anxiety and stress.
When to seek help.
It is important to monitor yourself, and realise when things get out of your control. Mental health is important and sometimes requires you to seek professional help. There is absolutely no shame in this, and people going through this should understand that health problems are often brought on through no fault of your own - whether they’re mental or physical.