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Why Self-care is Essential for your Mental Health at Work

August 3, 2023

Practicing self-care is crucial for one’s well-being, but finding the time and energy to prioritize it can be challenging. This can lead to heightened stress levels and feelings of discontent. This makes it more challenging to prioritize self-care in the future.

Let us look at what self-care is and some ideas on how you can practice self-care at work.

What is Self-care?

Self-care is a set of activities or practices that you do to maintain and improve your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. When it comes to mental health, self-care involves taking steps to address and manage one’s emotional and psychological needs.

Are you ready to talk about taking care of yourself? It’s important because it helps us stay healthy, happy, and mentally fit. Whenever we feel overwhelmed or stressed, self-care is the way to go to make us feel better.

What is Mental Health?

Mental health refers to a person’s overall emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It encompasses a range of factors, including how an individual thinks, feels, and behaves in daily life.

Good mental health enables people to function effectively in their daily lives. It helps one cope with the normal stresses of life. It enables you to work productively, build positive relationships, and make meaningful contributions to your communities.

Self-care helps you maintain and improve your mental health. It’s not just a luxury, it’s essential if you want to live life fully and happily.

15 Practical examples of Self-care to improve your mental health

Home self-care tips 

  • Get enough sleep. Rest well and recharge with at least 8 hours of sleep a day.
  • Eat healthy, well balanced diet.
  • Exercise regularly. Walk for at least 30 minutes a day.
  • Meditate. You can use an app on your phone, like Headspace or Calm, or simply sit quietly for five minutes each morning before anyone else is up in your house and meditate.
  • Stay connected to your friends and family by regularly catching up.
  • Focus on positive thoughts and be more aware of your negative thoughts.
  • Have your personal goals set and know how to prioritize things.
  • Do something fun from time to time. This will vary from one person to another but make sure it is a healthy option. You can go for a play in the Kenya National Theatre or choose to go for a random hike in the Aberdares.
  • Ask for help. You cannot achieve everything by yourself therefore it is important to acknowledge when you need a hand.

Self-care Practices at your Workplace

  • Take part in programs offered by your employer on improving mental health.
  • Engage your colleagues about the challenges and successes you experience.
  • Practice skills that can help you cope with daily work stressors,like effective communication and deep breathing .
  • Effectively use your lunch break with self-care routines such as meditation,or taking a walk, or listening to motivational content.
  • Improve your physical health by doing simple exercises and choosing healthier lunch options.
  • Take a 15-minute break from work just to stretch or perhaps grab a cup of coffee.

Why Self – Care is Important

Self-care is a way of taking care of yourself. It’s important because it helps you  avoid burnout and stress, which in turn improves your mental health.

Self-care can be anything from getting enough sleep, eating well and exercising regularly; to spending time with friends and family; or even just getting outside for some fresh air. Whatever form self-care takes for you, it should be something that makes you feel good about yourselfand allows you to recharge when necessary so that all aspects of life are enjoyable.

6 Healthy Takeaways from  Self-care and Mental Health

  • Everything you do should be done in moderation.
  • Self-care doesn’t have to be a long, drawn out process. Start small and be consistent.
  • You can make self-care a part of your lifestyle and your daily routine.
  •  It does not hurt to be a little selfish because self-care is something you have to do for yourself, not for anyone else.
  • You don’t have to do everything at once. Start small and build up as you go. Do not be afraid to start over whenever you fall short.
  • It is OK not to be OK
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