I smell spring! What a beautiful season it is for healing, self care, and renewed energy. As a passionate nutritional therapist, I firmly believe that mental health is integral to the body’s healing process and overall vitality. I understand that in our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to lose sight of our own needs amid our busy schedules, but, prioritizing self-care, self-love, and mental health is absolutely essential for our overall wellness. 

Today, I feel like writing about the importance of overall self care, self love and mental health, because you can’t just choose a healthy diet while neglecting your mental state. Embracing a healthy diet is indeed a key part of your journey, but it is also a gateway to mental clarity and well-being. Read along to know more! 

What is Self-Care & Self-Love?

Self-care means taking the time to tend to your physical, emotional, and mental needs. You will choose to put yourself first, prioritizing your health and personal happiness. This can include activities that make you feel good such as exercising, eating good food, getting enough sleep, or engaging in hobbies that simply make you happy!

Self-love, on the other hand, is about having a positive relationship with yourself, accepting who you are, your strengths, and weaknesses. Remember nobody’s perfect. So treat yourself with kindness, give yourself some credit, and be your own best friend.

Sounds easy right? It should be, but think of all the times you postponed self care because you were too busy, and the times when you were too hard on yourself. Once you understand the huge impact it has on your life, you will start prioritizing your mental health right away. 

Why Should I Prioritize Mental Health?

Engaging in self-care and self-love practices fosters a positive mindset which reduces stress, ultimately promoting better physical and mental health. You should understand that prioritizing self-care and self-love is not selfish. When you neglect yourself, you become more susceptible to burnout, which leads to physical and mental health problems. Instead, when you prioritize self-care, you feel more energetic and stronger at handling life’s challenges. 

Also keep in mind that prioritizing mental health also means recognizing when we need support and seeking help when necessary. This could mean talking to a friend, a therapist, your doctor or dietitian, anyone who could help you navigate through your negative emotions to prevent you from seeking comfort in unhealthy habits.

5 Ways to Practice Self-Care & Self-Love

Put Yourself First. Think of how you would literally do anything for your kids to be happy. Now that is how I want you to think about your own happiness. You deserve to be your own priority. You deserve to have a daily self care routine. Above all, I want you to believe it. Say out loud. I deserve to feel GOOD! Let’s do this.

Set Boundaries

We never realize the importance of setting boundaries until those boundaries are breached over and over again that it makes us feel uncomfortable and unhappy. Learn to say no. Say no to things that drain your energy or compromise your well-being. Say no to get-togethers or activities that you do not feel like being part of. Establish boundaries that protect your time and prioritize your needs.

Nourish Your Body 

Put time into preparing a healthy meal, and time to enjoy it undistracted. We often eat on-the-go or while multitasking, which robs us from the pleasure we should get from mindful eating. This means being present while nourishing your body, observing, tasting, smelling, and feeling the sensation food gives you. Also, stay hydrated, and prioritize regular exercise. Treat your body with care and respect by giving it the fuel and movement it needs to thrive.

Practice Mindfulness 

Practice mindfulness or meditation to quiet the mind, reduce stress, and increase self-awareness. Take time to be present in the moment and appreciate the beauty of life. Take deep breaths whenever you feel anxious, and calm your mind. This will help you feel a greater enthusiasm for life and improved self-esteem. Here’s a tip: Whenever you feel stressed, just smile. You may think it’s weird at first but try it and notice how you will automatically feel calmer. 

Engage in Activities You Enjoy 

Make time for hobbies and activities that make you happy. Whether it’s reading, painting, hiking, or dancing, prioritize activities that nourish your soul. It can have numerous positive effects on your mental health:

• Stress Reduction: It provides a distraction from daily worries, and promotes relaxation and calmness, which lower stress levels.
• Mood Enhancement: Pleasurable activities trigger the release of dopamine and serotonin, which are associated with feelings of happiness and well-being. 
• Increased Resilience: Doing activities we enjoy serve as outlets for self-expression and creativity, which foster a sense of accomplishment and empowerment.

• Improved Self-Esteem: Accomplishing tasks you enjoy boosts self-esteem, while achieving personal goals reinforces a positive self-image. Win-win!

• Social Connection: Many activities involve social interaction which helps combat feelings of loneliness, promoting a sense of belonging and connection.

Seek Support

Last but not least, don’t be afraid to reach out for help when you need it. Whether it’s talking to a trusted friend, seeking therapy, or joining a support group, reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Feeling down usually pushes us towards comfort food, laziness, and overthinking, which all contribute to increased stress. And so the vicious circle continues where stress leads to mental and physical problems.

In Conclusion

Nowadays, in the relentless pursuit of productivity, it’s easy to disregard our well-being. Yet, neglecting our mental and physical health can lead to burnout and decreased performance. The pressure to constantly achieve can take a toll on our psychological well-being. Hence, stress, anxiety, and other mental health problems often arise when we neglect self-care. 

Similarly, our physical health is essential to navigate through the demands of modern life. Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and sufficient rest are necessary for sustaining your energy levels and enhancing your focus.

Ultimately, creating a balance between productivity and well-being is key to happiness. I hope you feel inspired to prioritize your well-being from now on. If you have any questions or need support along the way, please feel free to reach out!