Self-care has been a major focus of mine in 2021. I am looking for more peace, happiness, and living my truth. That means taking care of myself. This is hard for those of us who are used to fighting everyone else’s battles and putting everyone else first. What I realized is that to keep up with all my responsibilities I have to put myself first. If I am feeling my best, it is easier for me to give my all and fulfill my responsibilities. However, we all know that we cannot be positive all the time. These are the things that I do to help bring myself back. Here are the things that I am doing to take care of myself.

Breaking down the time.

Sometimes the day is just too much. Let’s be honest sometimes it can be really overwhelming, so I have been trying to break down my time. Instead of taking on the whole day, I start to take on the hour. If that seems too much I take on the minutes. This has also helped me break down my to-do list. I have to work on being ok with not getting everything done, but this is a work in progress I am sure for all of us! Keep at it, and remember it will be okay and you will get through the rough patch.

Breath.

Breathing is something that I am not great at. When I am stressed I hold my breath which only heightens the anxiety and stressful feelings. This is also something that I am still working on. Recently when I have been feeling anxiety and it is becoming too much I take five minutes and sit in my bedroom in the dark and focus on breathing. This has been something that has really helped me and allows me to see that things are not as hard or as bad as they seem.

Exercise.

This is something that I have pretty much always been on and off with. I have been “on” with the exercise recently because I know that it makes me feel better. It gives me a win for the day if it has not been a great one. It allows me to give myself some much needed “me” time. It helps me to have more energy to get through every day. I find that the best time for me to work out is in the evening to end my day. I take a hot shower after and that seems to relax me and give me the downtime that I need to get the best sleep that I can.

Face mask.

Okay girl we both know that you have been eyeing that face mask that you have been wanting to try in the target beaut isle. Pick it up!! Yes, do it because you are worth that couple of bucks that you are going to spend on it. Make a night of it run a hot bath, light some candles, put on your favorite playlist, and put that face mask on. We both know that you will feel better about yourself. As you should because you are a queen and you should treat yourself because yes, life is hard but it doesn’t always have to be!

Take a Break.

This one feels a little non-authentic for me to be saying, however, this is something that I am actively working on. Working with children I cannot tell you how many times I have asked a child if he/she needs a break. So why shouldn’t I take a break if I need to? Sometimes emotions are too much and we need to take a breather to help us figure things out. This is okay. This is something that I am going to commit to doing more often. I hope you all will join me.

Get Ready.

Sometimes we all know that we would feel better if we just got up and got ready. Whatever that means for you. Take a shower and put some leggings and a big shirt on, pull your hair back and get to work on making your day great. Or maybe you need to do your hair and makeup put something you feel great in on and tackle the day. Whatever this means for you, do it. You can and will achieve things today, and you will be great. This also changes for all of us, so if today you feel like you need to feel comfy and tomorrow you need to walk the runway get it, girl. I am here to support whatever you need.

Girls Night.

Okay, so this one is hard right now I know. We are all socially distancing. But, we can make it work. How about video chats with some wine and good conversation. Do not underestimate your tribe! If you need them call on them and let them help you. Do not keep it all in.

Dance PARTY:

Throw your favorite playlist on, put some headphones in, close your bedroom door, and dance. Not only will it get you up and moving but seriously how can you be anything but happy when you are dancing. I am currently having a dance party while doing my hair and working on this article! Feeling pretty good over here! Thanks, Justin Timberlake!!

Walk.

My walks usually have a dog and leash with them. Today was a lot for me! So I put my headphones down (usually I listen to music while I walk) and just walked and reconnected with myself in nature. Yes, it felt off to just be still with nature but it was so needed.

Anxiety is hard to live with, I know. You never feel like it’s enough. The tailspin is so fast. Please do not stop taking care of yourself and remember that you matter. I know that it is not easy. Fight for the things that you need. I know you want to take care of everyone else, but that is not going to happen if you do not take care of yourself. Whatever your self-care is do something that will take care of you today!!

Balanced mental health is crucial for living a happy and fulfilling life. It influences every aspect of your life from the way you think to the way you behave. Mental health has a say in how you deal with stress, handle ups and downs, and build and maintain relationships day in day out. To get the most out of your life, you have to make it a priority. Here is some advice on how to change your habits and balance your mental health better.

Stay in Shape

Studies suggest people who regularly exercise are always in a good mood. Namely, during regular physical activity, the body releases endorphins, chemicals that are responsible for making us feel good and positive. Exercise also does wonders for self-esteem, focus, and quality of sleep. More importantly, not only does it keep you fit but also helps you blow off some steam and get rid of pent up negative energy and frustrations. Therefore, your stress levels significantly reduce, and you feel relaxed and peaceful. Exercising for 20 to 30 minutes a day can help you feel good about yourself and put a smile on your face. If you don’t like to go to the gym or do sports, you can go for walks, ride a bicycle or do some yoga or Pilates.

Think About Remote Work

Fixed working hours, heavy workload, or hostile work environment might be the reasons why you feel stressed or anxious most of the time. If that is the case, then you should think about working remotely or starting your own remote business. Imagine how much pressure it would take off you. If you decide to become a remote employee, you have to stay in touch with managers and coworkers. By staying in touch, you have access to timely updates and information you need to do your job right. An intranet is the best way to stay connected with others. It is easy to use and allows you to communicate both formally and informally with everyone from work. This way, you spare yourself any anxiety you might feel if you have problems with the tasks or deadlines.

Surround Yourself with Positive and Friendly People

If you are experiencing mental health issues, your surroundings might be the cause. For example, if petty people, gossip, haters, and drama queens surround you, you can’t expect to thrive in such an oppressive environment. To stay healthy mentally, you should get rid of negative people in your life and surround yourself with more positive and friendlier ones. You need supportive, emphatic, understanding, and above all, loving and kind people. All you have to do is interact with them even for a few minutes, and you will immediately feel more relaxed and at ease.

Practice Mindfulness or Meditation

Meditation or any other relaxation technique can help you find your inner peace and stability. Moreover, research has shown meditation is effective in battling depression, anxiety, and chronic pain, among other diseases. However, most relaxation techniques don’t produce results right away. It is going to take a while before you learn how to mediate properly. For starters, you can dedicate a few minutes every day to meditation. Later on, you can increase and practice it for 15 or 20 minutes. You can meditate alone or sign up for a meditation class if you need some guidance. Either way, you will have to focus on your breathing and bring back the balance to your mind and body.

Take Care of Yourself

For balanced mental health, it is paramount that you take good care of yourself. For example, drink plenty of water and other fluids throughout the day. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid junk food, sweets, drugs, and alcohol. Make sure you get a good eight hours of sleep every night. Spend some time outside every day, soak up the sun, and breathe fresh air. Find some time during the day to take part in an activity you like and enjoy. For instance, watch a movie or a TV show, read a book, take a bubble bath, dance, or get a soothing massage.

Vary Your Routine

Sticking to a routine is both good and bad for your mental health. Good because it gives you some structure, and bad because you become too comfortable without making any progress. For this reason, taking a break from your routine every once in a while, seems like a good idea. For instance, spend your lunch break in a new restaurant or have a coffee in a different coffee shop. Try taking your walks in another park or go to a yoga retreat. You can even skip some of your regular household chores and errands. If you feel like you need to take a day off from all duties and responsibilities, then do it.

Indulge yourself for a day. Your mental health will appreciate it.

About The Author

Morgan Rose Elliott is an aromatherapist, yoga instructor, animal lover, a happily married mother of three. She enjoys reading biographies and writing poems, sunny days on the beach and any shape and form of vanilla. Crazy about the ’80s, her favorite band is Duran Duran (although kids prefer Franz Ferdinand, and the husband Blink182) and she is obsessed with Netflix original Stranger things. Follow her on twitter

Tag: balanced-mental-health

A girls guide to loving yourself through anxiety.