In today’s face-paced lifestyle, it’s very easy to get swept up and carried away in the hustle and  bustle of our everyday lives and neglect both our mental and physical wants and needs. Whether it’s the overstimulation of social media, or the immense stress that comes with work, or meeting the demands of our family, friends or loved ones, it can be very easy to feel overwhelmed or exhausted. 

That’s where self-care comes in— by taking intentional steps to prioritize your needs it acts as a way to prioritize yourself physically and emotionally. In this blog, we will explore how important it is to value and take care of yourself, share practical tips for self-care and how to incorporate them into your daily routine. 

Self Care and Mental Wellness are heavily related. The Director at KFAMLA (A nonprofit organization we are partnering with), Katherine Yeom, put it simply and eloquently when asked if Mental Health and Self-Care are related; “Yes, Self Care is to take care of yourself to de-stress and keep yourself mentally healthy.” 

Mi Young Kim, a therapist at KAMLA, expressed the importance of a healthy daily routine: “Establishing a healthy daily routine is a basic skill to put into practice, which will help elevate your mood and engage you with simple but meaningful tasks.” Each routine will be different as you can curate it to what you think is most important emotionally and physically to you.

Here are some tips that you can take into consideration when formulating your self-care routine.

Create and Set Boundaries

If you’re someone who gets anxious or worries frequently, setting boundaries can help you feel safe and comfortable in your surroundings. Setting boundaries can look like choosing to not check your social media right before bed, or staying home for a day rather than going out with some friends. Learning to politely decline and prioritize yourself over things that are the cause of unnecessary stress will positively impact your mental wellbeing. 

Move Around 

Whether it’s school, work, commuting, or simply at home. We are always in the same usual position, whether it is sitting down at a desk or lying down on the sofa or bed. Physical activity can help the brain cope and handle stress a lot better, making it ideal in the treatment of depression and other anxiety symptoms. Taking a walk outdoors helps in more ways than one as spending time outdoors can help reduce fatigue, making it a great way to manage the symptoms of depression or burnout. 

Eating a Healthier, Nutritious Diet

Incorporating a more healthy, balanced diet to your life is a long-term strategy to help support your mental health! Fresh produce, like vegetables or fruits, contain antioxidants that help guard from oxidative stress, which is one of the conditions that have been linked to depression and anxiety. 

Try to stay away from overly processed foods or sugary foods. Now we aren’t saying you can never eat things like cookies or hot pockets, we just need to be more mindful of how much of it we consume. 

Oftentimes we crave those foods when we’re feeling at our lowest, or anxious. By prepping a healthier meal, your body and mind will be thanking you! 

By incorporating self care tips into your daily routine, you can get a grasp on what is stressing you out in life, and alleviate that stress. While you may not be feeling stress, your body might be feeling the stress instead. Allowing yourself to relax and take control of your life will have you going about your day with a clearer, open mind, and allow you to care for your loved ones with a big heart.

The connection between self-care and mental health is so important so you can avoid feeling melancholic and begin feeling your best! Remember that it is never too late to begin prioritizing your needs!