Taking care of our mental wellbeing sounds really wonderful, but what does that actually look like for you?
We talk about self-care and taking care of your mental health especially nowadays, but do you actually know what that looks like?
In this article I explain what the point of self-care is and will list different ways to do that. Maybe you can choose one or two and see if any work out for you?
Your Central Nervous System
Having good mental well-being means that your central nervous system doesn’t feel overloaded and rather your body and mind register safety and calm in the environment.
If your central nervous system is signaling to you that you want to connect with people and you are able to be compassionate, considerate, kind, and calm, you know that you’ve got a good mental wellbeing right now.
In Order to Interact With Your World
Now that we understand what it’s like to feel that your mental wellbeing is in a good place, and we know that our body will allow us to interact, connect, explore our world in ourselves and in others. How do we go about getting that and taking care of ourselves to calm our central nervous system enough in order to interact with our world in that way?
I’ve come up with a list of ways that different people I have worked with have found works for them. I’m really hoping that you can take one or two of these ideas to run with, to see if it works for you.
1. Avoid Being Jacked Up Before Bedtime
Sometimes that might look like not going for a late night exercise or choosing something calming before bedtime.
2. Taking Small Breaks During the Day
Sometimes work gets so busy that we forget that actually taking small breaks helps manage the stress levels throughout the day.
3. Breathing
Pause and do a few deep breaths out throughout the day.
4. Workout at Lunchtime
You can choose to relax or do an actual workout if you have enough time. See if either of those work for you.
5. Nature Time
Visit the park or be in nature if you have access to this nearby.
6. Interrupt Spiraling Thoughts
When you notice your thoughts spiraling, are you able to interrupt it by getting out of your chair and doing something different?
7. Focus On What You Are Doing
When you want to be productive, can you stop yourself from focusing on being over productive (5 things happening at once eg podcast, emailing, answering chat messages etc) and just do the thing that is in front of you? So instead of optimizing everything you do with the time you have, can you actually put that aside and just do whatever is right in front of you?
8. Ice Bath
Maybe have an ice bath. This can improve concentration, recovery and help you sleep well among many other positive benefits.
9. Boundaries
Have boundaries in the week that have space for fun. Do you choose to do something fun, and if you do, when is that time? Is it in your calendar every week? Maybe it’s a dinner date or going out with friends. Whatever it is, schedule it in.
10. Choose Quiet
Are you choosing quiet? Is there a time when you have space to read a book or just relax?
11. Reflect More & Consume Less
I really like this one. If you want to reflect more, how can you do that? Instead of consuming, can you journal or write a couple of thoughts down at the end of the day?
What other ways do you take care of yourself and your mental wellbeing? What can you add to that list or what can you take away from that list?
P.S. If ‘Reflect More & Consume Less’ is a method on your list, I have a Women with Responsibilities Journal with 30 daily prompts to help you check in with yourself. Any feedback is most welcome – if you’d like me to edit it to better suit your needs, please let me know!
