As May comes to an end, that doesn’t mean the mental health awareness comes to an end as well…until next year. Mental awareness and self-care should go hand in hand, and we should be mindful of both. The pandemic has radically changed our lives, from the way we work, to the way we learn and teach, to the way we interact with each other. Navigating this new normal has not been easy.
Now more than ever, we need to practice self-care in every aspect, going beyond diet and exercising and into the mental and emotional. We have faced much stress and anxiety, and we need to focus on what brings us peace and stillness.
As I shared with you the past two weeks, I don’t know where my life would be without self-care, especially for my mental state. My self-care is not only important to me and my well-being, but it is also crucial for my girls. I want to set a positive example for them. They are aware of my painful childhood; they are also aware of the fact that I’ve needed and sought help from doctors and friends. They are also aware of the importance of self-care in terms of a healthy diet, exercise, and even some pampering with facials and nail polish. Whatever it takes, to unwind and relax, to disconnect from the outside world. It is crucial for my girls to understand the importance of their health in every aspect. My mission is to raise them in a world where their health is more important than any stigma our society has placed upon us.
What does your self-care routine look like? Remember, self-care is not selfish. And if you have children around, they are watching you. Your routine can impact their future well-being. To help you get started, I have put together a list of things to try as your start your journey in self-care:
- Start the day with journaling and/or meditating for at least ten minutes. Clearing your mind early in the morning or even before bed can go a long way.
- Set aside 20 minutes a day to exercise. If going to the gym with a mask is a challenge, then go for a walk or a light jog. Staying fit keeps your body and mind active. It helps with your mood and overall well-being.
- Baking is one of my favorite de-stressors. I am always on the lookout for healthy recipes. The creativity of baking and providing my family with a healthy snack is exciting.
- Encourage positive self-talk. Every time you find yourself thinking negative thoughts, stop yourself, sing a song, do a silly dance, whatever it takes to reset your mindset into a positive one. Singing is usually my go to when my mind starts wandering in a negative direction. It’s a great distraction.
- Find hobbies that bring you joy. Arts and crafts, painting, and knitting are all great methods to decompress and unwind. My oldest daughter and I love working on puzzles. We have a corner where we set up a puzzle, and every day we take some time and work on it. We have found so much bonding, joy, and stillness in this activity.
- You can take a reliance assessment to see what skills you should work on to become more resilient. Here’s the link to the assessment. https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness/resilience/get-your-resilience-score/Finally, if nothing helps you relax and de-stress, there might be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Reach out to someone and seek help. There is no shame in therapy. There are so many types of treatments and so many options for you to try. If you don’t know where to start, I am here to help…just reach out.
When we take care of ourselves, we are stronger and more resilient and able to take care of others.
