As the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage worldwide, our healthcare system continues to be pushed to its very limits. At the same time, the prevailing uncertainty has allowed the second crisis to unfold in the background: we’re struggling to take care of ourselves. Mental illnesses like anxiety and depression are on the rise, substance abuse trends are worryingly high, and physical health has taken a hit too. The need for self-care couldn’t be more apparent.
If you’re struggling with self-care, keep reading below for some valuable tips to put yourself back on the right track.
1. Change your mindset
We all know that we need to look after ourselves. Why do we still fail to do so, though? Why is it that we focus on taking better care of, for instance, our pets than we do of ourselves?
Unfortunately, one of the most crucial reasons is that we don’t think we need much help. We don’t monitor our health as much as we do for others around us. Most humans have the tendency to deem themselves fit even if they aren’t, ignoring the many issues rising within them.
We must treat ourselves like someone we sincerely care for and are responsible for helping. This mindset is vital if you want to be consistent with your self-care regimen.
2. Curb your addiction
Substance misuse, abuse, and addiction can all lead to detrimental short-term and long-term health effects. In the short term, substance abuse may lead to relationship problems, poor academic or work performance, and loss of interest in hobbies and formerly enjoyable activities. In the long term, substance abuse can alter the brain’s structure, often resulting in mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.
Depending on the nature as well as the severity of your addiction, you may require professional help. If you’re currently residing in Florida, The Palm Beach Institute offers excellent detoxification and addiction therapy treatments. Professional assistance is often necessary since we usually lack the knowledge and experience to manage and treat addiction ourselves. Abrupt cessation (also known as “cold turkey”) strategies may work in the short term but usually result in severe withdrawal symptoms and relapses.
3. Develop a sleep routine
Proper sleep is essential for emotional and physical well-being. Research has shown that a good night’s sleep entails better memory and mental performance, increased athletic performance, and improved capacity to fight diseases. You can also choose alternative methods, such as powerful health supplement items from beehive2u.com, to either prevent or improve memory loss.
You’re probably aware that adults require seven or more hours of sleep a night. However, the quality of this sleep, in most cases, is more important than the quantity. Ten hours of fragmented sleep is not as healthy as seven hours of undisturbed, restorative sleep.
You can immensely improve the quality of your sleep by developing a sleep routine. First, pick a bedtime and wake-up time that you can stick with easily. It will help regulate your body’s natural clock and accustom it to a fixed sleep schedule. Second, put down your electronic devices an hour or so before your bedtime since the blue light they produce can inhibit natural sleep cycles. Finally, unwind right before bedtime. Consider breathing exercises, reading, listening to music, or taking a hot bath to calm yourself down before you sleep.
4. Practice mindfulness
For many, the word mindfulness is exotic and foreign. Quite simply, mindfulness is the practice of intentionally and purposely focusing your attention on the present moment. Mindfulness has roots in Buddhism;it involves techniques to divert focus from preoccupations towards appreciation for the current moment. Meditation is one such technique.
Furthermore, joining a Buddhist community can provide valuable support and guidance in practicing mindfulness and incorporating meditation into your self-care routine. This way, you can learn from experienced practitioners, participate in group meditations, and gain insights into applying mindfulness in various aspects of your life, ultimately leading to improved overall health and well-being.
Several authentic studies have shown that meditation can reduce stress levels, control anxiety, and promote emotional well-being. It can also strengthen your memory and improve your focus and attention span. There’s a good reason why Fortune 500 companies such as Google and Apple encourage meditation.
Meditation, however, isn’t merely a stress ball. The practice can provide a deeper understanding of how our minds, thoughts, and consciousness shape our experiences (and feelings). Such an understanding can help improve our lives.
5. Track your water intake
The human body comprises around sixty percent water. Bodily functions such as digestion, nutrient transportation, and body temperature maintenance depend on water. Since the body doesn’t have a way to store excess water, it needs replenishing regularly.
There’s quite some debate over how much water you need daily. Still, the goal is to ensure that your water intake reflects your activity levels. On a particularly strenuous day with lots of exercises or outdoor activity, you should ideally be carrying a water bottle. Drinking a glass of water five to ten minutes before a meal also aids in digestion.
You can consider downloading a hydration app on your phone if you’d like friendly reminders to keep yourself hydrated.
6. Find your flow
Do you find yourself immersed in an activity that you lose track of time? People often describe this feeling as being “in the zone.”Many psychologists term this mental state as the “flow state.”The flow state is characterized by intense focus, undistracted attention, and fluid coordination between the mind and the body. People are usually in such a state when doing something they’re incredibly passionate about, such as painting.
Achieving a flow state has several psychological benefits, including a sense of fulfillment, better emotional regulation, and increased motivation. There isn’t an inherent method for entering such a state. Still, you can increase your chances by setting clear goals and eliminating distractions. You may also add an element of challenge to an activity to make it more engaging.
And so, you must explore your interests to find a hobby that you’re genuinely passionate about and love doing.
7. Get organized
Admittedly, some people are naturally messy beings. For most people, however, clutter and mess may contribute to decreased focus and confusion; the mind’s visual cortex can be overwhelmed by too many visual stimuli.
Decluttering and organizing induce positive emotions because we feel like we’re in control of our environment. This feeling of control is beneficial when you’re feeling overwhelmed because of change and uncertainty and can help bring about emotional well-being.
Start by ensuring that your workplace is organized and free from distractions. Ensure that everything has a home, and store things away when after using them. Learn to donate or discard items you no longer need or haven’t used in quite a while.Set deadlines, and keep track of essential tasks by jotting them down on a journal or making a to-do list.
Ending Thoughts
These are unprecedented times. Our lives have undergone massive transformations. Ultimately, these changes have taken a significant toll on our mental and physical well-being. Self-care is the first step on the path to recovery. You can’t expect to be successful in your work and relationships if you aren’t maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself. Self-care is essential, and the tips above are a great place to start if you’re feeling lost.
