Practicing Self-Care for National Wellness Month

How many times a day do you stop to think about your self-care? Many people neglect their well-being, especially in times of crisis to take care of others. While it’s nice to help others when you can, it’s also important to take of yourself too.

What better time to discuss this than now during National Wellness Month, a time dedicated to self-care.

Taking time for yourself is easier said than done. Between work, the family, and keeping an active social life, finding a moment to relax and put yourself first can be a challenge. However, there are a few tips you can try to help you put yourself first.

Focusing on Self-Care

When you’re busy, it’s easy to neglect your self-care. However, taking some time away from your schedule to focus on yourself is vital. After all, you can only help others after you have helped yourself. Here are just some ways to put yourself first:

Nourish Yourself Consistently: One of the best things that you can do for yourself is to eat a well-balanced diet. Eating a meal that includes a variety of colors and has all the foods groups can improve your mental health.

Meditate:While it may be easier to do in a quiet place, you really can meditate anywhere. When in the car or train to work, pause to reflect inward. Try not to think about all the things you have to do and instead focus on how you are feeling at that moment.

Spa Day: Sometimes a quick trip to the spa is the only thing you need to feel better. After all, a day at the spa is all about pampering you. Choose a treatment that you find relaxing and enjoyable.

Take a Mental Health Day: When you’re working constantly without pause, it can be hard to tell that you are burned out. Don’t be afraid to take a day off to just focus on your mental health. Do activities that you find enjoyable and leave your work phone on silent.

Monitor your Sleep: Many people do not get the recommended amount of sleep and are often going on “empty.” Adjust your sleep schedule to ensure you are getting at least seven hours a night.

Eating for your Health

Research has proven that there is a connection between mental health and the stomach. The food that you eat can have an impact on your overall well-being. Eating a well-balanced meal doesn’t have to be hard. Here are some ways to ensure you have a nicely rounded diet:

Focus on Fiber: Eat foods like fruits and vegetables that have a high amount of fiber, or whole grains. Fiber is great at keeping your digestive system healthy as well as keeps you full for longer.

Add Fruit Toppings: A lot of people do not eat enough fruit, a simple way to increase your intake is by adding fruit as a topping. You can add berries or bananas to your oatmeal or to enhance the flavor and increase your intake of antioxidants and other nutrients to help fuel your day.

Eat the Rainbow: Try to incorporate fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors to optimize your intake of nutrients and antioxidants. The colors of a vegetable/fruit can indicate what micronutrient they are composed of, and each micronutrient has a different health benefit.