Self-care, self-love & mental health are trending topics nowadays. But do you know what each is made up of and how important it REALLY is to maintain the three? In a world where we are always on the go, doing all the things, there is always pressure to do more; we need to make sure we are intentional about pouring into ourselves.
The saying is true… You really can’t pour from an empty cup.
Self-care is the way you show love and appreciation for yourself.
Self-care is all about replenishing your resources and restoring your energy. It encompasses the whole self — mind, body, and soul.
Let me start with SELF-CARE is NOT selfish!
It’s essential!
This might have been one of the hardest lessons I had to learn during my healing journey. But it’s the truth, and I repeat, it’s ESSENTIAL, especially for your well-being & your mental health.
So let’s dive into the importance of SELF-CARE + MENTAL HEALTH.
The method of taking an active role in protecting one’s well-being and happiness, particularly during stress. According to the oxford dictionary, Self-care is
the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s health.
But we need to practice self-care regularly, NOT just in a state of stress.
I have seen many posts that say a face mask is not self-care; it’s skin care. And I disagree; a 15 min face mask where I can sit for a minute and unwind is most def a form of self-care.
It’s all about spending time for & with yourself to restore your energy, whatever that looks like for you!
Self-care is essential for maintaining good mental health. It looks different for everyone and can include activities that promote relaxation, stress reduction, and overall well-being. Self-care can help you manage symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve your mood, and increase self-esteem.
Some examples of self-care activities include exercise, yoga, journaling, mindfulness and meditation, spending time with loved ones, engaging in hobbies, and getting enough sleep; the list is endless. By prioritizing self-care, you can improve your mental health and overall quality of life.
Self-care means different things to different people, but ultimately, it’s giving your mind, body & soul what you need to feel your best.
Practicing self-care daily promotes healthy physical and emotional well-being and allows you to be a better you — which ultimately means you can be at your best for those around you.
PEOPLE PLEASERS: READ THAT LAST SENTENCE AGAIN.
You deserve to practice self-care!
Mental Health + Self Care = Self Love
The Importance of Self-love and Mental Health
At the beginning of my healing journey, my therapist told me that my whole life would change once I started loving myself. I also remember thinking that sounded good, but I didn’t know where to start. I was so broken and didn’t know where to begin with picking up the pieces.
I had to start accepting my identity and all that came with it.
So let’s start by defining self-love… and like self-care, self-love looks different from person to person. So I will describe self-love as nurturing your mind, body, and soul, embracing experiences that shape you, looking in the mirror, and knowing you are worthy, capable, and beautiful no matter the circumstances.
Self-love and mental health are essential components of overall well-being. Both are vital for maintaining a positive outlook on life, building healthy relationships, and achieving personal growth. Practicing self-love involves accepting and valuing yourself, while prioritizing mental health involves caring for your emotional and psychological needs. Neglecting self-love and mental health can lead to adverse outcomes such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize these aspects of your life and seek support when necessary.
What are the benefits of self-love?
Developing a healthy relationship with yourself!
And that alone benefits you in many ways; not only does it clear the negative fog in your mind, but it also makes it easier for you to live authentically. Being authentic on this journey is critical to your growth.
Some of the other benefits of loving yourself are
- Improved self-esteem
- Reduced anxiety
- Lower stress levels
- Find your purpose
- Set Boundaries
Research shows that self-love can also:
- Improve your cognitive abilities, especially self-care practices like mindfulness
- Provide alone time, which in turn can spark creativity and increase productivity and empathy
- Increase energy
SELF LOVE + SELF CARE ROUTINE
You must create a consistent routine to create healthy habits like anything else! Now is a great time to start one if you don’t have one already.
Here are some ideas that worked for me to get you started on your self-love routine
Start building healthy habits. Start small and be realistic: If you try to go from zero to 100, you will burn out, and your self-love routine will probably only last a day or 2. So try introducing any new self-care tasks to your routine one by one and step by step. For example, start with a 1-minute daily breathing exercise and build that up to 5 minutes!
Let go of guilt so you can enjoy your self-care time: One of the essential things that can hold you back from self-care is “self-guilt .” But creating time for yourself is vital and will make you better in the long run. You’ll be more energized, more focused, and happier overall.
Choose self-care activities you enjoy: If you want to build a self-care routine that lasts, choose activities you enjoy. It sounds simple, but we often select self-care tasks that we think we should be doing rather than what we enjoy doing. For example, you may not like the gym but enjoy a workout class.
Use anchor habits: Making time for new routines and self-care practices can be challenging, so try “anchoring” your new task to something you already do daily. For example, journaling while you have your morning coffee.
Remain flexible and don’t be hard on yourself: The most important thing is taking time for yourself whenever you can fit it in — so don’t let a change in routine or a missed opportunity throw you off. It’s better late than never!
Give yourself grace & remember that you are on a journey, not in a race.
Give yourself the time needed to create the habits & routine that will be sustainable long term.
