How Self-Care Can Help Ensure Good Mental Health
The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. As an Eating Disorder Recovery Coach, mental health is centered in my work. Today, I invite you to take part in observing World Mental Health Day and help normalize talking about mental health, seeking treatment for mental health issues, and increase awareness of mental health disorders.
Have you ever experienced bouts of feeling down, like your mind is racing, or that you’re generally out of sorts? Have they ever disrupted your life or made you wonder what was going on with you? When you strengthen your mental health, you’ll feel better all over and your life will be more satisfying. Try scheduling a Pamper Day to get a much-needed and beneficial mental health day.
A pamper day. “What on earth is that?” you think to yourself, and “Why should I take a day off just to pamper myself?” Or perhaps you want to take a pamper day, but you keep pushing it back. Pampering yourself is whatever pampering yourself means to you. Caring for yourself doesn’t mean treating yourself to luxuries you don’t need or can’t afford. Pampering is in the eye of the pampered!
It could be a day where you play video games, watch YouTube videos, hop on a streaming service, drink some wine, draw a bath, light some candles, take it easy, and relax—a day where you put your happiness first. A day you choose–not one you are forced to take due to stress or illness!
This concept might sound foreign to you, especially if you are someone who struggles to make yourself rest.
Consider these powerful reasons to take a pamper day:
- You get to plan your ideal day. Choose a day. Mark it on your calendar. That day is your day. Your pamper day. Spend quality time with yourself doing something you enjoy. Spend that day enjoying and exploring, relaxing, and learning more about yourself.
● Giving yourself time off is important. It’s also important not to feel guilty for taking time off. So, take a break from your normal day-to-day. You’ll return revitalized and happy.
- It’s invaluable for your physical and mental health. Rest is as vital to your health as good nutrition and exercise. Occasional pamper days save you a bunch of health problems. You get to take a breather when no one else is taking a breather.
● Most of your pamper day methods cost nothing but are excellent for your mental health. Your body benefits when you take a break. Rest is essential. If you don’t let your body rest once in a while, you’ll get overwhelmed by fatigue, eventually.
- Take a step away from all the stress. The effects of stress on our bodies have been well-documented – from its impact on our skin to our hearts. If you don’t have fun once in a while, you will have no alternative to a stressful life.
● You’ll take days off to rest, not when you want to or because you want to, but because you’re forced to.
● Compare that to getting a massage to take the pressure off. You’ll come out of it feeling energetic and refreshed. It will make you feel better and have more energy.
● You also recover from emotional stress. You reduce your risk of burnout. Reduce your stress level by taking a relaxing break from the grind.
- Gives you something to look forward to. What’s the point of working so hard if you don’t get to enjoy the fruits of your labor? You won’t feel bad about doing something nice for yourself if you plan for it. You are motivated to work harder when looking forward to a day of relaxation.
● The opportunity to recharge and do something nice for yourself because you deserve it works as a morale boost. It’s a way of appreciating and encouraging yourself. It also sets you up in a positive cycle as you develop a healthier relationship with your work.
- You make wiser decisions. Relaxed people make better decisions regarding their well-being, work, and even relationships. With the stress taken away, you can examine matters more carefully. Decisions are well thought through and balanced.
- You have more positive relationships with others. When you return after taking a day off, your mood improves drastically. When we are stressed, we snap at others, and things get ugly fast.
● After a pamper day, you help others genuinely and not out of a place of resentment. Self-care and self-love are important because if you don’t show them to yourself, you can’t sincerely show them to others.
- You are more productive. When working out, actual gains occur during recovery. That applies to working. Rest heightens your productivity. The productivity momentum is not broken when you rest, and it is balanced. Let your body rest to recover from the work you put it through.
● When you take a day off, it is essential to do so in a guilt-free way. Do something that is recharging. Don’t waste your pamper day stressing and beating yourself up for being unproductive. Letting your mind and body rest is part of being productive.
Try these ideas on your day of relaxation and enjoyment:
- Do what you enjoy. This is not a chore day (unless that makes you happy). No one else can create your happiness. You’ve got to do it for yourself.
• Create spaces you love within your home.
• Take long walks or practice yoga to bring peace and serenity.
• Read about the places you wish to travel to someday.
- Avoid involvement with people who bring you down. Many of us have a friend or family member who dampens our spirits when we’re happy or excited about something. Recognize that while you probably can’t change that person, you can choose your relationship with them.
• Although you might feel compassion and understanding for those who bring you down, it’s important to ensure that they don’t interfere with your own happiness and health.
- Get plenty of sleep and eat right. When your body is well nourished, your mind and spirit tend to be healthier as well. You’ll most likely be in a better mood and have the energy to accomplish more.
- Surround yourself with people you love. Stick to the people you’re comfortable with, who show their love for you. A strong, emotionally supportive network is your safety net when times get rough. You’ll be able to call your friends or family when you need a listening ear or a shoulder to lean on.
Regardless of how old you are, where you live, or what you do for work or fun, good mental health is integral to your life. Use these ideas as inspiration to come up with ways to ensure your life is happy, fulfilling, and bountiful.
Taking a day off when you’ve planned to and can enjoy it is much better than taking a day off because your body is broken and fatigued. Resting seriously makes a huge difference. You will come back massively refreshed and able to boost your productivity. Rest is critical to progress.
Wishing you the best in wellness!
I would love for you to comment with your go-to pampering activities!
Leslie Jordan Wellness 