Are you having constant burnt-outs? Do you feel like you’re on a rollercoaster of emotions sometimes? How about always feeling like you’re dragging yourself through your daily activities? Well, if you relate to one or all of this, you may just be lacking in self care. Self care is more than just taking one day to relax. You need to pay attention to every aspect of your life and be conscious about what ticks you off and what does not. Here at Glitz, we got the best self-care tips to enhance your mental health. Trust us, you will want to take some notes!
What Is Self Care?
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What comes to mind when you think about self care? According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), self care is defined as “the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider”. But this definition focuses particularly on physical health involving disease prevention and more. However, there are different kinds of self care that highlight other aspects of our lives. Below, we discuss the different types of self care that everyone should know.
Did You Know These Types Of Self Care?
When the word “self care” comes about, most of us would think of mental health, right? While you are correct, there are also many other types of self care. We’re pretty sure you did not know this. But don’t worry because we are here to explain them all to you.
1. Physical self care
This is probably one of the most common types of self care you will notice in your life. Physical self care involves taking care of your physical body. Basically, it’s the things you do in order to avoid getting sick. So most of us would exercise regularly, eat good food, and ensure we have a good sleep schedule. And let’s say if we fall sick, we will take care of ourselves by seeing a doctor or taking medication. These are all practices of physical self care.
2. Social self care
Did you know that socialising actually enhances your mental health? Have you ever wondered how sometimes spending time with family or friends helps release stress? Well, because it’s actually a kind of self care. However, social self care is not the preferred practice for some people, specifically people who are introverts. But that’s okay! Because they rely on other forms of self care that help enhance their overall mental health.
3. Mental self care
Now, this type of self care is probably very familiar to you. It’s a very common type that everyone applied to their lives. Mental self care can come in two forms – one to help you be mentally healthy, and the other to help sharpen your mind. To be mentally healthy, you can make a mindset change or do activities that calm you. Those looking to sharpen their minds can try puzzles, read books, or learn something new.
4. Spiritual self care
Here’s a fun fact for you: being actively involved in your religion or belief generally helps you lead a healthier lifestyle. But taking care of yourself spiritually does not always have to be tied to a religion. Some people believe that spiritual self care comes from being present, conscious, and being one with the universe. We would say this form of self care is very individualistic and depends on your preference.
5. Emotional self care
Emotions are what make us human. While it is okay to express yourself, sometimes we overlook emotional self care. When you overlook this type of self care, you will find yourself lashing out very often. And this is not healthy. You can take care of this by doing activities that help you understand your emotions. Being conscious of your emotions can help prevent expressing yourself in the wrong way.
10 Must-Know Self Care Tips To Enhance Mental Health
1. Take Time Out To Exercise
Research says that exercising helps reduce anxiety, depression, and negative moods. This is because exercising boosts self-esteem and confidence. Plus, it makes you feel good overall. Exercising helps awaken the mind and strengthen your body too so it’s the best win-win situation. Thinking of going on a hike soon? Click here to check out the best hiking trails in KL!
2. Surround Yourself With Positivity
Constantly being in a negative environment can take a huge toll on your mental health. This is why you need to surround yourself with thoughts that matter and people who support you. And who knows? You might also learn a few self care tips to enhance mental health from the people around you. But if you’re looking to be inspired, click here to check out some inspirational podcasts to listen to.
3. Set Realistic Goals
Having goals in life can make our lives purposeful. But sometimes we tend to set goals that are not achievable. Plus, we also like to overwhelm ourselves with goals that are too big. Then when we are unable to achieve it, we feel upset or disappointed with ourselves. Therefore, it’s advisable to set small goals that are realistic. Aside from that, you should also give yourself a reasonable timeline to achieve those small goals.
4. Learn To Acknowledge Stress
Whenever we come face to face with stress, we want to push it away immediately. Aren’t we right? But one of the best self care tips to enhance mental health is actually learning to acknowledge the stress and how to deal with it. There are many ways to deal with stress like journaling, painting, jogging, and more. Once you’ve mastered this, you’ll be able to also strengthen your mental health. Want to know more about building up your mental strength? Click here to find out.
5. Give Back To The Community
Giving back helps to boost self-esteem, which can make us feel good. Thus, this is one of the most effective self care tips to enhance mental health. The best part? It’s completely free! Bake some cupcakes for the orphanage near you, visit an animal shelter or spend some time at the senior care home. The rewarding feeling you feel afterward cannot be compared to anything else.
6. Love Yourself
It may seem like one of the most basic self-care tips to enhance mental health. But it is actually the most difficult one to achieve. There are many ways to show love to yourself. Go out on a solo shopping spree, spend hours painting in your room, or do a 1000-piece puzzle. Value yourself, be kind to yourself, and don’t ever beat yourself down.
7. Be Mindful
What does it mean to be mindful? Mindfulness is a state of awareness of every single moment in our lives. Mindfulness is also about accepting our thoughts and feelings with no judgment. This means that you shouldn’t put a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ label on how you feel about a particular situation. Being mindful can help relax and quiet your mind, which is one of the best self care tips to enhance mental health.
8. Make Healthy Lifestyle Decisions
The things we do in our lives are linked to our mental health. Therefore, it’s important that we make healthy lifestyle decisions. Avoid drinking too much alcohol and stay away from drugs. Eat healthy food and try to get some movement into your day. You should also ensure you have a good sleep schedule. Click here to read on how to get your sleep schedule back on track.
9. Change Up Your Daily Routine
While having a strict daily routine makes us more efficient in getting things done, it is sometimes unhealthy for our mental health. Try changing up your daily routine on days you can afford to spend more time. Try a new recipe for breakfast, plan an impromptu day out, or visit a new restaurant you’ve been wanting to try.
10. Ask For Help When You Need It
Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. Remember that. When you really need it, it is best to ask for help. Set an appointment with your doctor or therapist to discuss the problems you’re facing. You can also click here for the list of hotlines and resources to contact when you need help.
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