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Smriti Ganeriwal

Self-Care Tips for maintaining your Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health



self care for mental health

With everything seeming to move at warp speed these days, taking care of our mental health has become more important than ever for overall wellness. Just like we make time to go to the gym or eat healthy foods, we need to be intentional about nourishing our minds and hearts. This isn't always easy amidst the craziness of life. Between work, family, and social obligations, our plates are full. However, our mental and emotional health impacts everything we do, so finding ways to unwind and recharge makes a huge difference.


In this blog, I want to have a real talk about why mindset matters and share some simple self-care ideas that help me be more resilient in the face of stress. I suffered from anxiety that would worsen each time there were exams while I was growing up. Once I started taking therapy, it helped me understand more about myself and work on this. Along with this reiki, affirmations and candle magick helped me heal myself.


My hope is that you'll walk away from this post feeling empowered, not overwhelmed. We all deserve to move through each day with a greater sense of inner peace, contentment and emotional balance. Together, through gentle daily self-care, we can get there.


Understanding Mental Health


caring for mental health

When it comes to mental health, we're often thinking of clinical diagnoses and conditions. But at its core, it's really our underlying emotional landscape - how we feel day-to-day. Our mental health shapes our perspective, our relationships, even our ability to bounce back when life gets rocky.


I think we've all noticed there are times when we just feel more anxious or on-edge even if we can't pinpoint exactly why. There are also times when our mood feels lifted for no obvious reason.

Our emotions can fluctuate and are impacted by so many different aspects of regular life. The food we eat, the company we keep, the amount of sleep and movement our body gets. Not to mention bigger things like workplace stress, relationship issues or grief over challenging losses.


The ups and downs are completely human. But with some self-awareness and intentional self-care, we can find steadier ground mentally and emotionally even when external circumstances feel out of control. Simple things like taking deep breaths throughout the day, reaching out to our support system, keeping a gratitude journal, or doing some stretching immediately impact how we feel. When it comes to mental health, knowledge is power. Recognizing the little triggers that affect our state of mind and having tools in our self-care toolkit prepares us to handle stressors as they come our way.


The Importance of Self-Care


self care for better mental health

Self-care plays a vital role in maintaining good mental health. It involves intentionally taking care of ourselves and engaging in activities that promote relaxation, self-reflection, and personal growth. Some effective self-care practices include:


  • Prioritizing sleep: Getting adequate sleep is crucial for mental well-being and cognitive function.

  • Engaging in physical activity: Regular exercise helps reduce stress, improve mood, and boost overall mental health.

  • Practicing mindfulness and meditation: These techniques cultivate present-moment awareness, reduce anxiety, and enhance resilience.

  • Nurturing social connections: Maintaining strong relationships and seeking social support can significantly impact mental health positively.


Emotional Well-being

emotional wellbeing and mental health

Emotional well-being encompasses understanding and managing our emotions effectively. It involves recognizing and expressing emotions, coping with stress, and developing resilience. Here are some strategies to enhance emotional well-being:


  • Building emotional awareness: Paying attention to our emotions and understanding their triggers allows us to respond more effectively.

  • Developing healthy coping mechanisms: Engaging in activities such as journaling, creative expression, or seeking therapy can help manage stress and process emotions.

  • Practicing self-compassion: Being kind to ourselves during challenging times promotes resilience and fosters a positive self-image.

  • Setting boundaries: Establishing healthy boundaries in relationships and commitments is essential for protecting our emotional well-being.


Seeking Support

getting support for your mental health

I know it can feel vulnerable asking for help with your mental health. We tend to keep emotional struggles private or share only with our closest people. But the truth is, therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists are specialists when it comes to building mental health. Getting professional support isn't a sign of failure - it's taking your wellbeing seriously.


Think of it this way - if you had ongoing back pain or a tricky digestive issue, you'd likely see a specialist to get help, right? Mental health requires specialized care too. The coping strategies and advice that the average friend or family member can offer goes only so far when you're really struggling. Professionals are trained in evidence-based techniques tailored to your unique situation.


Making that first therapy appointment can feel intimidating. I put it off for a long time because I thought I should be able to work through my anxiety alone. But once I took that step, I realized my therapist gave me a judgment-free space to open up, along with new perspectives and actionable steps I hadn't considered on my own. I walked out feeling empowered rather than defeated.


Remember to be patient with the process too. Peeling back emotional layers takes time before breakthroughs happen. But sticking with it can change everything. Consider therapy an investment that pays enormous dividends down the road - it did for me.


Conclusion


I don't have all the answers when it comes to managing the emotional rollercoasters that life throws our way. What I do know is that we all deserve to feel a little more inner peace, contentment and balance amidst the chaos. And we owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to make our mental health a daily priority.


My hope is that this post sparked some small idea that resonates with you or made you feel less alone. We're all works in progress after all! Maybe it was the reminder about putting yourself first more often or the encouragement to open up to someone you trust. Perhaps it was recognizing just how much colouring, meditating or cuddling with your pet can lift your mood.


Guarding our peace of mind and emotional well-being takes vigilance, self-awareness, courage and radical self-care - especially today when it's so easy to burn out. But I believe in us. Even on the roughest days mentally, we each have power. The power to speak gentler self-talk, forgive ourselves a little more, turn toward people and activities that nourish us, and reach out for professional support when we need it. Each act of self-care and self-love lays another brick on the pathway to hope, wholeness and healing.


With grit and grace, one step at a time, we'll get there.

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