5 Benefits of Self-Care for Mental Health and Wellbeing

Introduction:

Question 1: How often do you get time to indulge in activities that bring you joy and peace?

Question 2: When was the last time you took yourself out on a solo date and treated yourself with the same care and gentleness that you extend to others around you?

Question 3: Do you sometimes get this urge to feel relaxed and calm but don’t know how to attain that level of comfort within yourself?

Question 4: Are you in a dilemma of whether investing in caring for yourself is the right decision or not?

If these questions are bothering you and you are already in the introspection mode then don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. After reading this blog you will not only feel equipped with all the self-care activities but will also understand how essential it is to constantly put in effort on yourself.

Self-care will no longer be a myth or a distant dream, rather it will become a regular habit that pushes you to become your best self.

What do we mean by Self-care?

The term “Self-care” contains the word “self” for a reason. Self-care is supposed to be unique and manifest in different forms for different people. In simple terms, self-care is any activity that brings you joy and peace. These activities and practices can range from something as simple as reading your favorite book, listening to your favorite albums, or cooking your comfort food.

Self-care whether it be small or big acts of service for yourself can have immaculate results on both your physical and mental health. Let’s now get into this roller coaster ride of learning ways to take care of yourself and understanding how non-negotiable this is for maintaining well-being and thriving in life.

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How can you find your perfect Self-care routine?

Self-care is like an art that requires conscious effort and time to master. It is a journey that starts with you accepting yourself and understanding that you deserve the warmth and kindness that you provide others with. Once the acceptance starts sinking in, the journey takes a turn toward understanding what you like, what brings you happiness, and what makes you feel calm and at peace. These are some questions that you need to ask yourself to realize the meaning of self-care in the most authentic way.

To make this journey a little easier for you, we have some ways in which you can practice self-care and find the routine that suits you the best.

Start with baby steps:

Taking a walk every day for half an hour can be a great way to start your self-care journey. This will give you time to be in nature and alone with your thoughts and emotions.

Cook for yourself:

When you cook for yourself you not only take care of yourself but also get that well-deserved alone time with yourself. Cooking can be a greatly satisfying and therapeutic process. So the next time you are wondering how to spend time with yourself, don’t forget to search for the recipe for your favorite meal.

Sleep is the ultimate self-care hack:

Yes, getting enough sleep every day has the power to boost your morale and make you feel relaxed enough to get to the other important tasks of the day. Always remember that you need to be well-rested to embark on this journey of self-care and healing.

Look at the bright side:

Questioning negative self-talk can be a little difficult but in order to reach the level where you start taking care of yourself, you have to first let go of all the negative thoughts and judgments. Being optimistic about difficult circumstances might look very easy from the outside but in reality, it takes effort and is the most efficient way to indulge in self-care.

Be thankful:

Showing and expressing gratitude can often feel like an activity done for others but it is not just that. Maintaining a gratitude journal and knowing what are the things that you feel thankful to have in your life can be an extremely enriching self-care practice.

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Why is Self-care so important?

Have you ever felt the warmth of someone’s unconditional kindness and care? If your answer is a no, then don’t worry there is a flip side to this situation. We often think of positive emotions like kindness, happiness, care, and love as transactional and something that can be exchanged with people around us. As much as this is true, expecting unconditional love from someone else can often lead to disappointment. But you know who can love you unconditionally and take extreme measures to take care of you? Yes, you guessed right, it is you!

Self-care is an extremely important and crucial practice to achieve your happier and healthier self. To concretize this, let’s look into some of the benefits of self-care together:

Self-care is a Reset

Taking care of yourself after a long and excruciating day at work can act as a reset and a moment of relief before the next day starts. If you feel like all your days are starting to look the same, then it is time for you to indulge in self-care practices and rejuvenate yourself before you get back into the hustle.

Self-care reduces Stress

Self-care can act as a great relieving method to destress. Sitting with your stressful thoughts, writing them down, making a plan to deal with these stressors, and then acting on this plan can make you feel both organized and relaxed instantly. So the next time you face a stressor, make sure you take some time out for yourself and spend time with your noisy thoughts.

Self-care is an Energizer

Feeling low on energy and don’t know how to get out of the cycle of low mood leading to low energy? Don’t worry, this is exactly what self-care activities are built for. Taking care of yourself nurtures your body and mind and prepares you for times when everything feels a little too overwhelming.

Self-care is Self-love

When you start taking care of yourself, you make yourself your number one priority. This is exactly what the path to loving yourself and believing in yourself looks like. So if you have decided on starting this journey of self-care then you are on the right path to a happier you.

Self-care enhances Overall well-being

Yes, self-care is the most holistic technique to becoming physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy. Always tell yourself that taking care of yourself is not selfish, rather it is the best way to become a version of yourself that can be giving and supporting others when required.

Still wondering which activity to start your self-care journey with? Don’t ponder over this too much, we know someone who can assist you and guide you through this path of self-care and self-love. Meet your personal self-care coach STELLA!

STELLA is our global virtual wellness coach who is the most advanced, engaging, and generative artificial intelligence character ever built.

Here are some fun facts about STELLA:

1. She can speak and understand 29 languages
2. Knows how to recognize 40 human emotions
3. Can provide a diagnosis with 85% accuracy.

So if you or someone you know is struggling to take care of yourself and prioritize your well-being then connect with STELLA and begin your transformative journey.

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Note: Please make sure that you have a local helpline number, and in case of any emergency, contact them immediately.