Self-Care, Mental Health, and Habits for Happiness
Self-care is not selfish — it’s actually an essential part of supporting your physical and mental health. While the term “self-care” may conjure up images of skincare appointments, bath bombs, and smoothie bowls, the breadth of self-care is so much more. Self-care encompasses a lot of basic but overlooked practices such as getting enough sleep, taking time to alleviate stress, and saying “no” to things you don’t want to do.
One of the best things you can do to jumpstart your self-care plan is to work with a wellness specialist like Natalie, founder of The Now With Nat. She offers services like mentorship and even corporate yoga to help you get in tune with your inner self and set the foundation for a mindset shift that will put you on a path to inner peace.
In addition to contacting Natalie for your 15-minute Connection Call, if you want to be more proactive about caring for your own mental health, try incorporating the following healthy habits into your day for a happier life.
Diet and Mental Health
It’s no secret that there’s a direct connection between the food you put into your body and the state of your mental health. Your diet affects the presence of healthy bacteria in your gut, and the more friendly microbes that thrive, the better you’ll feel. Specifically, L. helveticus, B. longum, and Lactobacillus are the microbes that act as mood boosters. It’s a good idea to become acquainted with these little guys, as well as other friendly microbes, so that you learn why they’re so important. If you’re not getting enough friendly bacteria for your gut, now’s the time to make changes to your diet—which could mean taking a supplement, adding in gut-friendly foods, and/or eliminating foods that harm your gut.
The problem with sticking to a healthy diet, of course, is finding the time to spend in the kitchen while juggling the rest of your daily responsibilities. While you can use expensive meal prep services to help keep you on a healthy track, something as simple as an electric pressure cooker can make sticking to a diet much easier.
Look to Natural Supplements
For many people, taking natural supplements is a great way to boost mental health, and there are a variety of options worth considering. Adaptogenic herbs are common supplements used to help with stress reduction. Some of the most popular herbs are rhodiola, ashwagandha and maca, to name a few, and you can find these supplements online. Another option gaining in popularity is CBD, which continues to show benefits for everything from stress reduction to help with anxiety, depression, inflammation and even epilepsy. Because CBD isn’t regulated, it’s important to choose brands that have been vetted for quality. Do your research to see what’s on the market when looking at oils, juices or edible options, and always talk to your doctor before taking anything.
Practice Mindfulness Meditation
It may surprise you that one of the best things you can do for your mental health is nothing at all. Well, that’s a bit misleading. Mindfulness meditation isn’t really nothing. In fact, a lot of people find that it takes a lot of work to get into their practice. However, the work is worth it. Meditation trains your brain to stay present in the moment. By sitting down and paying attention to where you are without distractions, you learn to accept and dismiss noisy thoughts and difficult emotions that otherwise distract you. When you do this regularly, the brain trains itself to do this even when you’re not meditating, which makes it easier to be mindful in your day-to-day life. Meditating also gives you the opportunity to set intentions and manifest positive energy, which helps you create the joyful life you desire.
Give Back to Others
One of the best ways to practice self-care is by being selfless and giving back to others. While donations are great, “giving” doesn’t necessarily mean handing over money. Volunteering and donating your time are far more effective way to cultivate happiness. Being a giving person and helping others activates the reward center of the brain, which makes you feel good. What’s more, it boosts your self-esteem and improves your relationships. Having a charitable mindset increases optimism and makes you feel empowered. Furthermore, giving back to others spurs people to pay it forward, which makes the world a happier and better place.
Ease Your Financial Stress
Last but not least, one way you can help ease the stress in your life is to get your finances under control. This can involve doing something along the lines of paying down your debt or learning about the ways you can safely refinance your mortgage, though each person’s financial situation is obviously different. If necessary, work with a financial advisor and come up with a budget that will help lessen the stress you feel in this area of your life.
If you want to improve your mental health and cultivate more joy in your life, start with self-care. While some of the best self-care practices are pretty basic, it’s also important to go a bit beyond with healthy habits that make you feel happier. A few simple changes can go a long way toward feeling like your best self.
Article written by guest writer: Brad Krause (Self Caring Info)
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“For everyone, well-being is a journey. The secret is committing to that journey & taking those first steps with hope and belief in yourself.” - Deepak Chopra
