Self-care Tips to Practice for Your Mental Health in 2024

When we talk about ‘Mental Health’ it encompasses your overall emotional, social and psychological well-being. It is about the way you feel about yourself, your ability to manage your emotions/feelings, how you deal with challenges and much more.

Breaking the Myth!

A good mental well-being doesn’t imply that you are expected to be happy all the time. It's critical to acknowledge how our experiences shape who we are. We all understand that every day is not going to be the same. We all have some good days and some not-so-good. We do not have the same level of energy, enthusiasm, or motivation every day. We must all practice self-compassion and act in accordance with our best judgment at the time. Mental health is not about mental illness. Your mental health is important, it is for your quality of life and overall health. Self-care plays a crucial role in mental health. Wondering, what is it? Let us delve into understanding ‘Self-care’ briefly.

What is Self-care?

It means taking time in your everyday life to do things that you love to do and improve your physical and mental health. When we talk about mental health, self-care enables us to manage stress, lowers the risk of ailments and also increases energy. Your little acts of self-care make a difference in your life and are impactful showing results.

Tips to Get Started With Self-care

Here’s a quick rundown to practice some essential self-care tips for overall wellbeing:

1. Show Gratitude: Remind yourself every day of the things that you are grateful for to have in life. It is good to be specific about it. If required, you can document it before going to bed or simply replay it in your head.
2. Be Good to Yourself: Understand that life is not always a bed of roses. Some days may not be good, but don’t be hard on yourself on such days. Give compliments to yourself for whatever you have achieved, and how far you have come, be compassionate.
3. Exercise Regularly: No matter how busy your day looks, ensure that you take a 30-minute walk every day or simply climb a flight of stairs. This will help to not only boost your mood but is also beneficial for your health in the long run.
4. Eat Timely: Eating a balanced diet timely and staying hydrated improves your energy and you remain focused throughout the day. Moreover, limit your caffeine or carbonated drinks such as coffee, cold drinks, and so forth.
5. Get Enough Sleep: Ensure to get enough sleep and stick to a schedule for it. The blue light from the devices/screen sometimes makes it harder to fall asleep. So, when you are off to bed, keep your gadgets/devices away.
6. Stay Connected: No matter where life takes you or how successful become, remain connected to your family and friends. Take out time for the people who provide you with emotional support or any practical help. In times of distress, you should be able to reach out to them without a second thought.
7. Enroll for an Activity: Amidst the schedules, enroll yourself for any recreational activity or program. It may include activities such as breathing exercises, meditation, yoga painting/pottery classes, etc. If you are someone who likes to write can also journal about any such activities.
8. Prioritise Tasks: It is imperative to identify what needs to be done now and what the things that can wait are. When required learn to say a ‘No’, when in life you feel that you are taking too much and is exhausting for your wellbeing. We need to be mindful of our accomplishments and not of things that we have been unable to do. Do not try to do everything in the same. Set goals and draw lines from point A to be and then to C. Rest along the way and you will feel better.

The Bottom Line

Every person's demands for self-care may be varied, just as a senior citizen's needs for purchasing health insurance may differ from those of a younger person. All you need to do is identify what you enjoy doing the most and what is helpful. In this process, we also tend to discover things that work best for us. At the same time, also try to analyze what are your triggers and coping techniques that are ideal for you to manage your mental health. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, always look for a professional if needed. Do not wait till it becomes overwhelming. Remember, none of us are perfect. We all have our own limits, and what is good for you is great! *Standard T&C apply Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.