How self-care can improve mental health
Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, act, make choices, and relate to others. Mental health is essential to your overall health and quality of life. Self-care can play a role in maintaining your mental health and help support your treatment and recovery if you have an mental illness. Self-care can help manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.
Here are some tips to help you get started with self-care:
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated.
- Make sleep a priority.
- Try a relaxing activity that makes you happy.
- Focus on positivity.
Self-care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what you need and enjoy. It may take trial and error to discover what works best for you. In addition, although self-care is not a cure for mental illnesses, understanding what causes or triggers your mild symptoms and what coping techniques work for you can help manage your mental health.
Learn more at the National Institute of Mental Health.