Self care is very important, and mental health is often neglected in people’s self care routine. Taking care of your mental health is equally as important as taking care of your skin & hair. A self care routine excluding mental health is incomplete. There are several ways you can take care of your mental health:
Being Active
Moving around is a good way to reduce stress and boost your spirits. Doctors recommend walking around for at least 30 minutes a day that can be broken into intervals of 3, 10 minutes walks during the day.
Good diet
According to Harvard, eating foods that contain a lot of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals is very good at protecting the brain from oxidative stress. Observing how certain foods make you feel is important, as it has been noted that processed foods and foods with high sugar content can affect one's mood negatively. Nutritionists and dietitians have suggested cutting down on processed foods and drinks with high sugar content as this will improve your mood thus improving your mental health wellness.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is an alternative holistic treatment that uses blends of essential oils to promote health and therapeutic purposes. It can alleviate stress and boost your mood. Some essential oils that may be helpful for stress and low moods are:
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Bergamot
- Geranium
- Jasmine
- Basil
- Neroli
- Sweet orange
- Frankincense
You can add essential oils into your bath, massage it into tensed areas of the body to help you relax, use it as a diffuser in your home or in specific rooms for a calmer atmosphere.
A good night’s rest
Adults are meant to be getting about 8 hours of sleep every night but the reality is that the majority of adults do not get up to 8 hours of sleep. We become more alert, refreshed and in a better mood after a good night’s rest. It is crucial for adults to try as much as possible to get a good night’s rest as the brain needs to get rid of toxins. Also note that rest is needed to boost your immune system, as lack of sleep/rest can negatively impact your mental health and immune system.
8 hours of sleep at least 4 nights a week will be highly beneficial for both your physical and mental health wellbeing. Your body/mental health deserves complete rest.
Prioritize yourself
Learn to put yourself first when you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Try taking breaks or time-out when you are feeling extremely overwhelmed or stressed. This will give you the opportunity to rejuvenate and refresh your mind and body, thus boosting your level of productivity.