Your Complete Self-Care Guide – 5 Essential Steps to Wellness
The term ‘self-care’ has acquired considerable traction over the past few years. Increasingly, we’re making a conscious effort to look after and improve ourselves. What this actually involves, however, might vary from person to person. If you’re unsure of how to approach your self-care routine, and you don’t want to miss anything, it’s worth going through a few essential steps.
Prioritise Mental Health
Mental health is something that everyone should be concerned with, to the same extent that they’re concerned with physical health. Just as going for a jog every day or two might support the health of your heart and lungs, taking a few minutes to meditate might help you to retain control of your thoughts and feelings.
Mindfulness and other related practices are a powerful way to do this. In some cases, creative practices like art and music can be therapeutic, too. In Sussex, the ‘Friendship Bench’ model is being pioneered, as part of a worldwide campaign. For those in need of counselling, this is an affordable and accessible means of getting it.
Maintain a Balanced Diet
If you aren’t consuming the right foods and drinks, then it’s almost inevitable that your mental health will suffer. Ideally, every plate should include fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and grains. Some substances, on the other hand, might be avoided altogether – in spite of the consolation they might offer when you’re feeling down. Of these, the most obvious is alcohol, which can disrupt sleep, cause depression, and increase your risk of developing a range of diseases later in life.
Stay Informed About Health Screenings
Caring for yourself means staying aware of your own body. Just as you might take a car to be serviced every so often, health check-ups are an invaluable means of knowing exactly what’s going on inside you.
The kinds of screenings you undergo should depend on your lifestyle. If you’re sexually active, then regular STI screenings might be beneficial. For example, you might undergo a chlamydia test before starting a relationship with a new partner.
Engage in Regular Physical Activity
If you aren’t physically fit, then you probably aren’t engaging in effective self-care. Ideally, a range of different forms of exercise might support your health, both mental and physical. By challenging your body in different ways, you’ll reduce your risk of injury, and support your all-round fitness. If your chosen activity will take you through a natural environment, like a forest or a park, then the benefits will be even greater.
Cultivate Social Connections
Staying in touch with friends and family can be difficult, especially if you have a busy work life. But the support of a network of real-world friends can be invaluable, especially when you’re going through tough times. Make a point of touching base with everyone regularly, and try to plan at least one interaction of this kind every week.
