In today's fast-paced and often stressful world, it's easy to overlook the importance of maintaining good mental health. But, just as we nourish our bodies through regular physical health checks, exercise, and proper nutrition it's equally crucial to prioritize our mental and emotional well-being. We must therefore be intentional about dedicating time and attention to nurturing our emotional well-being.
The mind and body are intricately linked therefore neglecting one affects the other. If we want to live happy and healthy lives then taking care of ourselves is not selfish it’s smart and it is an absolute must
Mental Health and Self-care
The journey to a healthy mind begins with understanding and practicing self-care.
Self-care refers to how we manage the daily stressors in our lives and how we take care of our health and well-being. Self-care, then, is the cornerstone of good, thriving mental health. We must therefore take care of our mental health so that we can in turn be well, we can be productive, we can help and care for others, and we can achieve all the things we need to and want to accomplish in a given day.
Types of Self-care
There are various types of self-care that we should aim to optimize in our daily routines. Here are three (3) important categories:
Emotional self-care: This refers to the nurturing and caring of our inner feelings and emotions. We take care of ourselves emotionally with activities such as self-talking, journaling, practicing gratitude, setting boundaries, talking things out, having and maintaining a strong support system, saying “no” to things that cause unnecessary stress, and giving ourselves permission to take a pause from the distractions and toxicities around us.
Physical self-care: This is all about taking care of our bodies. It includes but is not limited to activities such as prioritizing sleep, getting adequate rest and relaxation, adopting a consistent exercise routine, maintaining good personal hygiene, keeping hydrated, and choosing healthy and nourishing foods.
Spiritual Self-care: This may be the most widely overlooked form of self-care yet is, certainly in my opinion the most important. It is focused on taking care of the soul. Its primary aim is to care for and replenish our souls, ensuring that this crucial part of us is strong, healthy, and well. Some activities to help us maintain optimal self-care in this area are attending church, journaling, meditating, memorizing scriptures, affirming ourselves, incorporating regular acts of kindness into our day, and engaging in regular self-reflection. It also includes participating in the spiritual disciplines of the Christian faith such as praying, fasting, sharing Holy Communion, etc.
If our desire is to live happy, healthy lives then taking care of ourselves is a must. There is no one-size-fits-all solution therefore start small, find what works best for you, and be consistent.
Remember, Safeguarding our mental health is not a luxury but a necessity!!!
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