What do you find most challenging when it comes to self-care? We all face hurdles, and it’s important to acknowledge them.
For me, self-care has always involved a journey of accepting mental health techniques. It’s a process, not a destination.
Caring for our bodies is a more tangible task than nurturing our minds and souls. We often find ourselves evading our emotions, worries, and feelings, a struggle that many of us share.
How come?
It’s true, facing our emotions can be unsettling and even terrifying. There are times when we’d rather not confront certain feelings. But I’ve come to realize that avoiding them only leads to a temporary escape. This year, I’m committed to letting go of this avoidance and embracing a state of tranquility and clarity of mind.
Furthermore, it’s pretty easy to accomplish. Noisy days full of chores, deadlines, and constant hurry-ups characterize our lives. We tend to overcommit, and occasionally, we need to keep things from going.
It’s a protection strategy to stuff all those ideas and feelings inside, but eventually, they must come out. This is something that I wish to let go of this year, as I indicated in my post. One of my objectives is to return to that state of tranquility and clarity of mind. I’m reintroducing some of the mental health self-care techniques that have benefited me in the past into my daily self-care regimen to achieve that.
9 SELF-CARE PRACTICES FOR THE MIND
Recording and Brain Dumping
Have you ever felt that you were thinking about too much and wished there was a method to clear your mind? Brain dumping, in my opinion, is like having a real-life penance—undoubtedly one of the magical items from the Harry Potter world that I would most desire to possess. I utilize both brain dumping and journaling as mental self-care techniques; they both assist me in recognizing my feelings and stressors and in gaining perspective.
Brain dumping is a method to release some of that mental clutter. To accomplish this, a few actions are needed. You start by writing down anything that comes to mind, practically everything that crosses your mind. Sorting everything into distinct categories, such as “work,” “personal,” “school,” “home,” and so forth, is the second phase. Creating a plan, timetable, and to-do list after going over and processing your list is the third phase. More information and advice about brain dumping can be found here in my post.
Mental Activities
As we age, our mental abilities fluctuate, among other things. However, it’s reassuring to know that mental stimulation plays a critical role in advancing the formation of new connections between nerve cells, effectively keeping the brain ‘young.’ This includes any activities that could be classified as ‘brainy.’ Puzzles, crosswords, and arithmetic games are just a few examples of activities that can improve your focus, memory, and concentration, giving you the confidence that you can maintain your cognitive health.
Workout
Have you ever heard the saying “a healthy body in a healthy mind”? As we all know, exercise releases feel-good endorphins that improve mood, stress levels, and, most importantly, sleep quality. Memory and cognitive function have also been demonstrated to be enhanced by regular aerobic exercise. Cardio raises your heart rate, improving blood flow to the brain and boosting oxygen delivery, producing neurons in the brain regions responsible for memory and thought processes.
Aerobic exercise has also been linked to a lower incidence of dementia as well as cognitive impairment, according to numerous research. It only requires moderate-intensity exercise three days a week, for thirty minutes a day. Exercise regimens can be simple and manageable. Consider activities like dancing, swimming, jogging, or walking.
Perform a Mental Cleanse
Like cleansing or detoxing your body works, a mental cleanse or “detox” involves getting rid of some “bad” things. Things such as self-defeating habits, unpleasant emotions, and limiting beliefs. The problem is that a mental detox requires work on your part. Similar to how your diet and way of life can either support or hinder your physical health, it’s equally crucial to nourish your mind with healthy habits and optimistic ideas. Among the things a mental purge can include:
- A mental clearing session that can assist you in clearing your mind
- reorienting your attention to within your power
- establishing sound limits to safeguard your energy
- Accepting silence and allowing yourself to absorb the feelings you are experiencing
Cleaning your mind involves more than just accepting what is good; it also entails acknowledging that your unpleasant ideas are a normal part of the human experience and permitting yourself to feel the “bad.”
Allocate Time For Quietness
Being silent and still can be incredibly daunting when you’re feeling stressed or have a lot on your mind. Sometimes, being alone with our thoughts and emotions is not lovely. We thus seek out diversion, maintain a busy schedule, and push some of those feelings and ideas aside. Finding calm and clarity can be facilitated by genuinely embracing the silence once you overcome your fear.
Meditation is one of the best strategies to accept silence and reestablish mental equilibrium. It’s also one of my favorite mental self-care routines. You’re sure to find a type of meditation you enjoy among the many options available. Kundalini yoga and meditation are fantastic for increasing consciousness and spiritual power. I use Yoga Download for my at-home classes, a resource that makes meditation accessible to everyone. Another excellent choice is guided meditation, particularly for newcomers. This Beginner’s Guide to Meditation by Gabby Bernstein is a fantastic resource if you’ve never meditated before or want to try it.
Look For Methods To Learn And Challenge Yourself
A key component of self-growth is pushing yourself and finding new things to learn. It also strikes me as a mental health self-care technique. There are many ways to make little goals for oneself, including learning a new word daily, rediscovering an old talent, or engaging in artistic endeavors (even if you don’t consider yourself creative). Doing this not only allows you to conquer your fears and gain greater confidence but also brings a sense of excitement and curiosity as you discover a new interest or talent. You might start by printing this list of 50 Easy Ways to Push Yourself Every Day.
Add More Conscience To Your Life
Being conscious of the present moment is the foundation of mindfulness. It’s a fantastic mental self-care technique because it has been connected to decreased stress, anxiety, and fear in general. It’s your responsibility to gently nudge your brain back to what’s important and to pay attention to what counts. Your brain will often tell you to focus on other things around you.
Being attentive entails letting go of unfavorable ideas that come to mind. Instead, give yourself permission to feel them and let them go without passing judgment. Increasing your awareness in life facilitates the development of acceptance, kindness, and compassion. And the best part? You can start practicing mindfulness in the simplest of tasks you perform daily. It’s an achievable goal. Learn how to do it right now. With increased practice, it becomes more effortless.
Network Detox
How frequently do you put your phone away? How many tabs are open on your browser right now? A large number of us have developed strong attachments to our digital devices. But remember, you are in control. Despite the fact that digital technology was designed to increase productivity and save time, it frequently has the opposite effect.
It offers a great deal of noise and distraction, which makes it quite simple for us to spend time. If your hand is reaching for your phone to check your alerts all the time, you will never be entirely still or present in the moment. But you have the power to change this. It may seem impossible to go without your phone, computer, tablet, or TV for a full day, so try going without for only an hour. Consider a few of your favorite non- technological activities.
Use The Day For Mental Health
While it may not always be possible to take a full day off, could you spare a few hours each week for mental self-care? You could write, read, meditate, or simply sit in a park, gazing at the sky, feeling the breeze, and the sun on your skin. The key is to find what works for you and to remember to occasionally disconnect from the outside world, allowing yourself to fully engage in your self-care activities.
