When was the last time you took a break from your daily routines, go for a trip, a holiday, a movie, have Me time, zone one somewhere and think nothing but your happy place? It is a simple question for you to reflect and act accordingly. I am asking you this because I have seen my friends work day in and day out without a break until their system breaks down and can’t take it anymore, then they remember that they have not heard a break from their daily routines for a long time or they have not had time to eat proper food for a week etc. I know life become on a rollercoaster ride and if you don’t intentionally set time for self-care, you may never find it.
Let’s clear up the myth or misconception of what self- care is or is not. Self-care is not synonymous with self-indulgence or being selfish. Self-care means taking care of yourself so that you can be healthy, you can be well, you can do your job, you can help and care for others, and you can do all the things you need to and want to accomplish in a day, week, month or year. Self-care is part of the answer to how we can all better cope with daily stressors.
Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and 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 more than the absence of a mental illness—it’s essential to your overall health and quality of life. Self-care can play a role in maintaining your mental health. When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you 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.
Important fact
My friend Laurence is passionate about young entrepreneurs and their mental health and when I asked him what self-care meant to him and his passion, this is what he had to say, “for entrepreneurs in Uganda, they are the managers, the accountants, the sales managers, in other words they are running the businesses on their own. This makes it hard for them to take care of themselves because they have too much on their plate. With self-care you have to look into your needs as a person, you have to take care of the business but also find time to take care of yourself. This actually helps with your mental health. People. For example, in office work from 8 or 9 to 5pm which gives them time to relax and do their own things, this should be the same with entrepreneurs”. He is speaking from experience, can you relate to his statement?
Self-care plan
A self-care plan can help you enhance your health and wellbeing, manage your stress, and maintain professionalism as a worker, a parent, an employer, a partner or a friend. Whatever you are in your daily life, you need to be at your best for effectiveness and efficiency. The different self-care plans and example strategies that other people have found useful like work place or professional self-care, physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and relationship self-care. By categorizing them, you can come up with a specific activity to deal with a given aspect at a time to create life balance and avoid blackouts. Come up with a plan that works for you according to your needs and strengths. For example peer to peer support can help you as an entrepreneur or professional.
Stay connected. Reach out to your friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help, don’t allow yourself to feel lonely, get an accountability partner.
Some easy activities that you can carry out or include in your self-care plan include;
Set goals and priorities. Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say “no” to new tasks if you start to feel like you’re taking on too much. Try to be mindful of what you have accomplished at the end of the day, not what you have been unable to do.
Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can help boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t do 30 minutes at one time.
Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated. A balanced diet and plenty of water can improve your energy and focus throughout the day. Also, limit caffeinated beverages such as soft drinks or coffee.
Make sleep a priority. Stick to a schedule, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Blue light from devices and screens can make it harder to fall asleep, so reduce blue light exposure from your phone or computer before bedtime.
Try a relaxing activity. Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activities you enjoy such as journaling.
Practice gratitude. Remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for. Be specific. Write them down at night, or replay them in your mind.
Focus on positivity. Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts.
What next
Fill your self-care plan with activities that you enjoy and that support your wellbeing. Here are some suggestions.
Keep this in a place where you can see it every day. Keeping it visible will help you to think about and commit to the strategies in your plan. You can also share it with your supervisor, colleagues’ friends and family so they can support you in your actions.
Stick to your plan and practice the activities regularly. Just like an athlete doesn’t become fit by merely ‘thinking’ about fitness, as a worker you can’t expect to perform effectively without putting into practice a holistic plan for your wellbeing.
Re-assess how you are going at the end of one month and then three months. Plans can take over a month to become habits, so check-in and be realistic about your own self-care plan.
Photo credit ; Take Break trip and online pictures
These people have best content on mental health that you should read
https://www.fingerprintforsuccess.com/blog/good-mental-health
