why is self care important in mental health

The Importance of Self Care in Mental Health: A Guide For The Modern World

Self-care is a term that has been around for centuries. It has been used in many contexts and situations. Self care means taking care of one’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs. According to the World Health Organization, self-care enables people and communities to promote, maintain and improve their health. This can include preventing disease, managing illness with or without professional help, and providing care for family and friends.

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, self-care practices support the health and wellbeing of individuals with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and epilepsy.

Why is a self care routine important in mental health?

According to The National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging, many people who experience depression or bipolar disorder can achieve a better quality of life by caring for themselves. A healthy relationship with the self is an integral part of wellness in everyday life. Self-care practices may include engaging in activities that promote a sense of personal strength, such as exercise and meditation.

The National Institute of Mental Health has many peer-reviewed articles on evidence-based mindful, complementary and alternative therapies and interventions to balance stressful situations and reduce perceived stress in sports, neuroscience, and the effects of positive psychology on mental self care. Studies show that even brief periods of practicing self care can reduce stress, social anxiety, and cortisol levels and maximize performance.

The Current State of Mental Health in the World

The importance of self care in the modern world is not just about taking care of oneself but also about caring for others, especially your loved one. We cannot do it all alone. We all must take time out for ourselves and others who need it. Staying productive and healthy is essential in today’s world. The self care trend has taken off in recent years, with more people becoming aware of the importance of taking care of themselves. We are better equipped to care for our loved ones by taking care of ourselves.

We’re experiencing a period of profound transformation. Everything — from how we work, where we work, to the place of work — is being questioned and challenged, redefined and redesigned. The Great Resignation perfectly depicts the era we are leaving behind. As shown in the “Quiet Quitting” trend, more people are globally opting to resign quietly from their jobs these days. According to Gallup, 7 out of 10 people struggle with mental health issues. It’s hard to notice breakthroughs at times when we are surrounded by breakdowns. Self care allows you to create calm inside the chaotic world we are living in today.

Mental health is a big thing. The CDC, US Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, points out that roughly one in five Americans and one in five children may suffer from some sort of mental health problem. Despite having mental health awareness, we still don’t always know what to do about it, how to cope with stress, or how to handle a mental health crisis.

The sad part is that we still hesitate to have healthy conversations around mental health awareness as parents, caregivers, community leaders, and business owners. Most feel shamed or inadequate in acknowledging or asking for help, and others feel helpless, not knowing how to offer support or what affordable, non-invasive tools and resources are available.

importance of self care in mental health

What are 3 reasons why self-care is important?

Before we understand why is self care important, we should first recognize the warning signs of mental health issues and how they can affect us. Then the second important step is to devote time, effort, and resources for self care.

The importance of self care in mental health is among the most essential topics of our time, not just in the United States but throughout the world. Creating a self care routine is not difficult; in fact, practicing self care is good for overall health.

The top 3 reasons for indulging in self-care are:

Self-care can help you stay grounded and avoid burnout.
Clinically proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Improve concentration, focus, and energy

Private talk therapy or prescription medication are common ways to deal with mental health problems. But these could be like a band-aid or management of the situation or condition, not necessarily an utterly reversible solution. And I am not making any claims of curing a disease. In every medical condition, you must discuss options with your healthcare provider. I am here to educate and share information, insights, and inspiration on alternative medicine therapies.

Self-care may be the answer for you if you’re looking to improve your mind and body. It’s been shown to reduce heart disease, stroke, and cancer; even more importantly, it has many spiritual benefits, such as helping us stay in touch with our higher power or realizing how meaningful life can be.

One of the leading causes of mental health issues, such as depression and burnout, is inflammation in the brain. Inflammation is an immune response to infection, damage, or irritants in the body. Stressors such as work and personal life can also result in inflammation. This causes a change in the brain chemistry which changes the frequency of neuron oscillations, either speeding up or slowing down neuronal activity.

6 common symptoms of mental health

There are some common symptoms you can be aware of when it comes to mental health. These symptoms are not necessarily severe, but they can help people clarify whether they should seek treatment and attend to their emotional, physical, and social needs. Some of the most common symptoms are:

Nightmares
Difficulty sleeping
Behavioral changes
Confusion or forgetfulness
Changes in personality
Suicidal thoughts or harmful behavior

These symptoms should never be overlooked, as the health of the individual who experiences them is paramount. Mental health covers a person’s capacity to think, act, or reason. Mental health should be spoken about at work, school, and home. It’s a subject that is deeply personal to everyone and can have a significant effect on the lives of children and adults. Mental health can affect many aspects of people’s everyday activities. People with mental illnesses include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and generalized anxiety disorder.

Another global focus has moved to the connection between mind and body and how complementary and alternative therapies help address our mental, emotional and physical wellness through many non-invasive modalities. Over the last few decades, we have learned that the mind is more than simply the physical part of the body; but also has its emotional and mental attributes. Mental health focuses on a person’s physical, mental, and emotional balance. It is crucial to remember that there are various types of mental health disorders.

While there are many ways to improve your mental health, the one we are focusing on in this blog is the importance of self care in mental health.

What are the 8 Pillars of self-care?

There is a huge benefit in understanding the importance of self-care as it directly affects mental health. Building your self-care plan can be easier by considering the 8 dimensions of wellness from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Ultimately, self care can take many forms for each person, but it’s universally understood as nurturing yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Standard methods of physical self care can include eating and drinking to stay healthy, taking showers, and making oneself sleep comfortably. While mental health does need attention, it can be tough to find mental help.

To create your self care plan, consider the following 8 pillars:

Emotional Wellbeing
Environmental Wellness
Financial Health
Intellectual Wellness
Occupational Growth
Physical Wellness
Social Relationships
Spiritual Growth

Self-care principles suit everyone, not just those with mental health problems. Taking time to maintain good feelings means you can be at your best and total capacity in other aspects of life. Self care is vital for building resilience against life stressors that may not be eliminated.

Self care also relies on increased self-awareness. Identifying your emotions and how they work in different scenarios can help you identify what triggers worsen your symptoms. Also, self-awareness can help you find activities or tasks in your daily routine and provide mental health benefits. They can also soothe a mental disorder’s symptoms or provide calmness and relaxation. Self care is vital for maintaining mental health.

With the stresses of work, family, and life, it’s easy to let our mental health suffer. But by taking care of ourselves, we can prevent mental health problems from developing or worsening. And it helps us reduce stress, improves our mood, and gives us more energy. Furthermore, we can better care for others, especially in the modern world, where we are constantly bombarded with stress.

How Do I Start Practicing Self Care?

Practicing self care can help to prevent or manage mental health problems. In a fast-paced and ever-changing world, it can be easy to forget to take care of ourselves. This will help you understand the importance of self-care and how to incorporate it into your busy life. Here are some ideas.

Practice self care in a way that is convenient for you. Start off by taking care of yourself and having healthy habits mentally. Most can find it hard to allocate time for themselves for physical activity. You can incorporate small daily changes, even at work, to manage self care. For example, include it in your daytime routine if you want to meditate but find it hard to do it early morning before your day starts or after work. Don’t be discouraged by adhering to your meditation routine at work. Yes, a 5-7 minute break of deep breathing and closing your eyes can help you relax.

Another example of practicing self care is doing stretches and targeted fitness moves like “T-Tapp” by Fitness Expert Teresa Tapp, best-selling author of the book — Fit And Fabulous in 15 minutes, which can be highly beneficial. Don’t be discouraged by other individuals and their opinions. If you make self care a part of your life, you will see the benefits. One of my favorite T-Tapp exercises is Teresa’s famous Hoedown Movement. These moves help with the lymphatic system, improve mental clarity, drop blood sugar levels to 65 in 3 minutes, strengthen your core, and boost your energy levels. These are highly recommended for senior people and diabetic fitness routines.

Tips to help you execute a self care plan for overall health and wellbeing:

The following self care tips and healthy habits can improve your everyday life and help reduce stress levels.

Start Gratitude Journaling: I call this journaling with a purpose. The key to gratitude journaling is to start counting your blessings and end the journaling on a positive note. No matter how your day went, no matter how bad things became, and no matter what the challenge, this technique forces you to focus on positivity, hope, and humility. It is a perfect way to become more mindful. You may write down what you think of your day or write about how you feel, what you accomplished, and where you failed. Whatever you write, have a strategy to write something you can comprehend and confirm.
Focus on Personal Development: No matter your age, there is always room to grow and improve, learn or add value to others. Consider joining a class or seminar that enhances your skills, understanding, or talent. You could be a mentor and help younger adults in their personal or professional careers.
Develop an abundance mindset: A scarcity mindset is the opposite of an abundance mindset and believes them to be limited. An abundant mindset starts with taking responsibility for one’s own choices. You can start by surrounding yourself with the right people - family, friends, teachers, coaches, mentors, or elders that believe in you. If you do not have anyone, try volunteering for a cause.
Get your body moving. The body and the mind have a unique connection. Research has shown that regular exercise significantly increases serotonin levels in the body, improving mood and energy. While it’s recommended that you get 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily, that may not be possible. Focus on getting whatever movement you can since even a short walk to the mailbox is better than doing nothing. How about yoga or adding Mudras to your walks or physical activities? Did you know the various forms of meditation techniques that improve mind-body connection?
Focus on eating a healthy diet. Your relationship with food speaks volumes regarding health and overall wellness. Honoring your body and what you put in it is also a form of self care. Eating smaller portions is beneficial, and so is fasting to take a break from everyday eating. Overeating, binge-watching TV, and eating emotionally could be signs of depression or mental health concerns. Healthily learning to meal prep could save you money and health.

PSiO Light Therapy: A Modern Way of Practicing Self Care

We know that mental health can significantly impact our physical health, so we must ensure we care for both. There are many ways to do this; the simplest is self-care. Even though it sounds simple, most people are overworked, under-appreciated, and underpaid. It is a vicious cycle to break. The daily stressors of life, especially financial restraints, cause a lot of stress. But did you know that half of all mental illness occurs before a person turns 14 years old, and three-quarters of mental illness begins before age 24? Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people ages 15-34 in the United States.

Self care techniques suit everyone, not just those with behavioral health or mental health problem. Taking time to maintain emotional stability and having self-awareness means you can be at your best and total capacity in other aspects of life. Similar to general lifestyle changes, various self care tips mentioned above can help manage the symptoms of many mental health problems. Identifying your emotions and how they work in different scenarios can help you identify what triggers worsen your symptoms.

Also, self-awareness can help you find what activities or tasks in your daily routine can offer you mental health benefits. You must discover for yourself which self care activity can provide calmness and relaxation. Self care is vital for building resilience against life’s stressors, which may not be eliminated.

You know how debilitating it can be if you suffer from certain stress levels or anxiety. It can feel like there’s no escape. But what if there was a way to ease your symptoms without taking medication? We have found that PSiO light therapy glasses may be the answer. These glasses affect the brainwaves and have been clinically proven to help relax, improve sleep and mood, and reduce anxiety, PTSD, depression, addiction, ADHD, and other mental health concerns.

PSiO light therapy is a non-invasive, safe, drug-free therapy without side effects. The portability aspect of these glasses allows you to use these glasses multiple times during the day. Whether at work, at home, before leaving the workplace, during breaks, before homework or between classes, or before sleep or after waking up, there are various PSiO light therapy sessions that you can do as a part of your self care routine.

A self care practice doesn’t have to be complex. This is why we love PSiO light therapy glasses. Select the program that best suits your needs. Wear these glasses, lie down and relax. So is self care easy and important? You are the ultimate decision-maker. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us.

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