Everyone is aware of the New Year’s tradition of making resolutions. And, as the new year is fast approaching, you may be starting to think of some ideas for setting your own goals for the new year. For those in recovery from mental health issues, self-confidence and esteem are big factors. Many mental health issues come with negative and debilitating symptoms that surround self-image because these conditions can lead to negative self-doubt and self-esteem issues. So, it’s important for people who are working on managing symptoms of mental health issues to incorporate ways to boost self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-image. One of the ways to boost self-esteem is to set and maintain self care goals. So, if you’re looking for some resolutions for the new year, there are some simple self care tips you can take advantage of to help boost your self-confidence.
A big part of taking good care of yourself is getting enough and a good quality of sleep. Without enough and quality sleep, people struggling with mental health issues may not be as focused on their treatment. Plus, a lack of sleep can lead to other negative mental health symptoms (higher stress, etc.) that can make it even harder to overcome and manage mental health symptoms. Finally, not getting good enough or the proper amount of sleep can also lead to an increased risk of developing physical health symptoms (heart disease, stroke, etc.). So, if you’re looking for a simple self care goal that can help in many areas of your life, consider making some steps to getting better sleep.
One way to get better and get enough sleep is to stick to a routine. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every night. And, encourage yourself to fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night by improving your sleep environment. Try not to be on your phone in bed, shut off your TV, and even invest in sleep assistance including white noise machines or dehumidifiers. When you get better sleep, you’re a better you!
In today’s world, we are always on the go. But, the human body and mind aren’t designed to constantly be overwhelmed with work, school, and other obligations. So, a good thing to practice when wanting to improve self care is to take time out of your day to rest. If you find it challenging to rest and relax, make it a part of your daily routine. This way, you can’t leave it out of your day and you can anticipate this time in your schedule to relax your body and mind. Some ways to wind down and relax can include practicing meditation, taking a warm bath, reading a book, or writing in your journal.
Being in nature is a sure way to evoke mindfulness and help you to embrace what you’re grateful for. There’s something about being immersed in nature that allows us to see past all of the outside influences of our lives; our social media accounts, what others think, and all of the other fluff that seems to fill up our mental state and lead to negative thinking patterns. If you’re looking to improve your self-care game, one way to start is going out in nature. Start by taking a walk in your local nature reserve or park, riding your bike, going to the beach, or exploring the nearby woods. In time, you’ll understand that nature can have a big influence on how you feel about superficial things that happen in life and give you a greater sense of mindfulness and being present.
Exercise can be very helpful in terms of self care. Not only does it improve physical health by improving immune health, blood circulation, and reducing fat cells, but it also can help with mental health. When we exercise, our bodies release endorphins that can help to manage moods, which is vital when we’re overly stressed, anxious, or dealing with imbalanced moods. So, consider implementing some exercise into your routine. You don’t have to exercise excessively to experience the benefits of physical activity. So, start small. And, if you’re liking the advantages that exercise has to offer for your self care, implement more activity as time goes on.
Self care goals don’t have to be only simple things you can implement into your daily life, they can be about addressing underlying mental health issues you’ve been dealing with for a while. When we take care of our mental health struggles and learn to better manage the negative symptoms of mental health conditions, we are bound to feel better. So, make it a new year’s goal to take care of your mental health in the upcoming year.
Delray Brain Science is here for anyone who wants to learn to manage mental health symptoms in their life. We help people struggling with a number of mental health conditions including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, mood disorders, substance abuse, eating disorders, and much more. Learn more about how we can help you in the new year from our website.
