Today we will Cover These Self-Care Basics for Optimal Mental Well-Being.
In today’s busy world, it sometimes feels like self-care is a luxury.
However, taking care of your own well-being is vital to your mental health, and rather than viewing it as an indulgence, you should make it a cornerstone of your lifestyle.
Here are some guilt-free tips for making often-overlooked components of basic self-care part of your routine.
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Adequate, Quality Sleep.
Do you stay up late and hit the ground running early, or do you suffer with insomnia during the wee hours? Getting enough sleep is crucial to your mental health: a lack of sleep can cause emotional and cognitive challenges, lead to weight gain and cause all kinds of other issues.
Even if you don’t suffer with those conditions, improving your sleep habits can help you feel more alert, perform better at work, and feel less stressed.
Some research recommends establishing a schedule for your bedtime and awake time, and sticking to it every day for best results. It’ll help your body get into a rhythm to give you restful sleep.
A bedtime ritual can also help, telling your mind and body you’re getting ready to call it a day.
Another aspect of good sleep quality is a proper sleeping environment, such as a dark room and comfortable mattress. If you haven’t replaced your mattress in recent years and you awaken groggy, sore or stiff, it may be time to invest in a new mattress better suited for your body and sleep type to ensure you’re getting the best rest every night.
Rest and Recuperation.
Are you enjoying some classic R and R? Time spent relaxing and enjoying life is vital to your well-being. In fact, some professionals view inadequate relaxation as a primary health concern in our culture. Spending time relaxing is a boon to mental health, reducing stress levels, improving your memory and helping you to learn new things more quickly.
Relaxation reduces your risk for depression, enhances your ability to make decisions, and helps you maintain a healthy weight, because not only will you release fewer stress hormones, you tend to not eat convenience foods packed with fats and sugars when you’re at your leisure.
Reduce Stress Levels.
As some experts note, adding an exercise routine can also help you feel better, more relaxed and feel more positive. You can also enhance your sleep quality and feel more relaxed by being more physically active, so it’s a no-lose addition to your lifestyle.
Another idea for lowering stress levels is to add a pet to your life. Studies cited by National Center for Biotechnology Information show pet ownership can help with loneliness, especially among single women, stating, “These findings indicate that having a pet can help to diminish feelings of loneliness, particularly for women living alone, and compensate for the absence of human companionship.”
Pet ownership amongst singles is on the rise, likely at least in part due to this wonderful mental health benefit. Don’t underestimate the power of a relationship with a companion animal! BarkPost cites surveys showing many single pet owners are putting their relationships with Fido and Fifi above those with their human companions. Pets are beneficial and important in the lives of many.
Just say “no.”
Setting boundaries can be really tough for many of us. If you find you’re always saying “yes” to things, Psychology Today recommends evaluating whether you are saying “no” enough. Sometimes we say “yes” not because we want to do something or even because we feel like it’s the right thing to do.
If you are saying “yes” because you are afraid of how someone will respond to you or in spite of having a full plate, you are probably doing so for the wrong reasons. Weigh carefully what drives your decisions. If you struggle with the response you might receive from someone, it may be time to learn to live with the response you receive.
Set some boundaries in your life, and insist that everyone respects them, including yourself.
Self-care is a key to better mental health. Get adequate sleep, spend time relaxing, reduce your stress levels, and learn to say “no.” Covering these basics can be a boon to your overall well-being.
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