Self-Care: The Building Blocks of Good Mental Health
As a therapist, I've worked with countless individuals struggling with mental health issues. While therapy can be an incredibly helpful tool in addressing these issues, it's important to remember that self-care is the foundation upon which good mental health is built, and you don’t even need a therapist for that! When clients come in for the first time, I like to ask them about what I call the “basic building blocks” of a healthy life. The truth is our physical bodies need certain things to function adequately, and we limit our own mental and emotional functioning when we don’t tend to these basic needs. It is the key to long-term mental wellness.
When we talk about self-care, we often think of indulgent activities like massages or bubble baths. But it’s much more boring and practical maintenance; things like adequate sleep, proper nutrition, exercise, and spending time outdoors are all essential for our overall well-being. By implementing good daily habits that prioritize these basics, we can prevent a lot of the mental distress we might otherwise feel.
Let's start with sleep. Sleep is crucial for our bodies and minds to recharge and rejuvenate. Without it, we can feel sluggish, irritable, and have difficulty concentrating. By establishing a regular sleep routine and ensuring we're getting enough sleep each night, we're setting ourselves up for success in all areas of our lives.
Proper nutrition is another key component of self-care. Our bodies need a balanced diet to function at their best, and our brains are no exception. By eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods, we can boost our mood, improve our cognitive function, and reduce our risk of developing mental health issues.
Exercise is another critical aspect of self-care. Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce stress, boost mood, and improve overall mental health. A lot of studies have proven that exercise is just as beneficial as antidepressants, but without the side effects. Find the way you like to move the best and do it! Whether it's a daily walk around the block or a high-intensity workout, finding an activity that we enjoy and can stick to is key. It’s a gift to your present and future self!
Finally, spending time outdoors can have a significant impact on our mental well-being. Whether it's taking a hike in the woods or simply sitting outside in the sunshine, being in nature has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and increase feelings of well-being. We all need a little sunshine and fresh air every day.
Incorporating these basics into our daily routine may seem simple, but it's often the simple things that have the most significant impact on our mental health. By becoming brilliant at doing the basics, we can take control of our mental well-being and prevent many of the issues that can arise when we neglect our self-care. If something is off, do a quick assessment of which of these areas you might need to improve, and start there. It might also be a situation where you need to have your hormones tested or some blood labs done to make sure you’re firing on all cylinders. Therapy can only get you so far if there’s serious physical ailments factoring in.
As a therapist, I encourage my clients to prioritize self-care in their lives. By doing so, they're not only taking care of themselves, but they're also setting an excellent example for others to follow. By making the basics a priority, we can all become more intentional at taking care of ourselves and our mental health.
