10 Methods of Self-Care

No matter wherever you are, the methods listed below are great ways to take care of yourself. Don’t wait until you aren’t feeling your best- these suggestions are helpful for everyday life!

1. Talk about how you feel– you should never feel ashamed about your feelings. Letting your feelings out leads to feelings of support.
2. Stay active– exercise leads to endorphin release. Endorphins are “feel good” chemicals that reduce pain and boost your mood. Exercise also increases your self-esteem and physical health, which is closely tied to mental health. Try to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least five days per week.
3. Eat a well-balanced diet– our diet is another example of how our physical health can impact our mental health. Eat colorful fruits and veggies, whole grains, healthy fats like those found in nuts and fish, lean protein, and low fat dairy. Make sure you are staying hydrated as well!
4. Limit alcohol, caffeine, and sugar– these substances may make you feel good in the moment, but in the long term they make you feel worse. Do not exceed your daily alcohol limit
5. Give yourself a break– in today’s world, it seems as though we are always supposed to be moving, thinking and working. To help you relax, take a few minutes, hours, or even a full day or weekend to recharge and do something you like doing. Whether that be being active or resting, listen to what your body is telling you. You are a very good judge of what you need. What’s important is that you listen to it.
6. Accept yourself– this is one of the most challenging things to do, but a very important goal. Instead of comparing yourself to others, recognize your strengths. We all have things that we are good at and areas we wish we could improve.
7. Sleep– sleep deprivation leads to multiple physical and mental health problems. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7 to 9 hours for adults, but individual requirements vary.
8. Try meditation– meditation helps you focus on one thing, for example your breathing, body, one phrase or thing around you. Meditation can lead to relaxation, pain relief, and improvement of mental health conditions.
9. Journal– journaling helps you organize your thoughts. Benefits include determining priorities, tracking feelings and identifying negative thoughts to change to positive. Writing about what you are thankful for also helps you focus on the positive and change your thinking.
10. Try something new– give yourself permission to try something new. That may be learning about a new topic, starting a new hobby or simply getting a new perspective. Don’t put pressure on yourself. This is an exercise for your mental health, not a competition or something to be graded.