What is self-care? It involves doing activities that promote health, happiness, and overall well-being. While self-care may sound time-consuming, it can pay off through better mental health and a more positive outlook. Too often, people prioritize other things before taking care of themselves.
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The actress Doris Day says it best with this quote:
"Nourishing yourself in a way that helps you blossom in the direction you want to go is attainable, and you are worth the effort."
Aren’t you worth the investment? Self-care is not selfish; it is a necessity. Think of self-care activities as mini breaks for your mental health. Here are some ways practicing self-care can support both your mental health and your overall well-being.
Self-Care is a Mood Booster
One of the biggest benefits of investing in self-care is that it can boost your mood. Life is often challenging, and dealing with one problem after another can lower your mood and affect your self-esteem and confidence. When you give yourself time to relax and build self-care into your schedule, it can create a positive mental reset that carries over into other areas of your life.
Self-Care Helps with Stress Management
Stress is not just psychologically uncomfortable; it can also affect physical health. Studies suggest that ongoing physical and mental stress can elevate cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. In turn, elevated cortisol levels may contribute to mood changes and worsen feelings of sadness or depression.
Research also suggests that people who make time for self-care practices and activities that support well-being may be more resilient, less prone to distress, and more likely to maintain a positive outlook.
Certain self-care activities may be especially helpful for managing stress. For example, research points to activities such as walking in nature, massage, meditation, yoga, playing with a pet, and listening to relaxing music as beneficial for stress relief. Even reading a book can qualify as self-care if it helps you unwind. One study found that just six minutes of reading reduced stress by 68%. If reading helps you relax, make time for it. If not, choose another self-care activity that helps you feel calmer and happier.
Self-Care Helps Build Better Relationships
When you invest time in yourself, even through small habits like a daily nature walk or a weekly massage, you may feel more positive overall. The people you work with, live with, and care about may notice that change and respond more positively as well. It is easy to let frustration build up and affect your mood and interactions with others. Practicing regular self-care can help break that cycle and support healthier relationships. A positive mood can be contagious.
Self-Care Helps Boost Mindfulness
Mindfulness means living in the present rather than focusing too much on the future. It emphasizes appreciating each moment instead of constantly worrying about what comes next. This approach can be better for mental health because it shifts attention away from future worries and brings focus back to the present.
Certain self-care activities can also strengthen mindfulness. For example, meditation teaches you to center your thoughts on the here and now, which is a core part of mindfulness. Taking walks in nature can also increase mindfulness because it helps you focus on the beauty and wonder around you instead of getting lost in “what if” thoughts.
Self-Care Helps Prevent Burnout
The repetitive and often stressful activities people do every day without enough rest can be a major cause of burnout and exhaustion. It is no surprise that work is often near the top of that list. You may not be able to control every aspect of your job, but you can still make time for self-care activities. Taking part in uplifting activities that soothe the mind and body can break up the monotony of daily life and give you something positive to look forward to.
The Bottom Line
Do not think of self-care as an indulgence. It can support every part of your life, including your mental health. Find what brings you happiness and helps you feel content, and make more time for it. Structure your schedule so you can get things done while still protecting time for self-care activities that lift your spirit and support your mental well-being. Over time, you may see greater rewards and enjoy a healthier work-life balance.
References
- BMC Med Educ. 2018; 18: 189.Published online 2018 Aug 6. doi: 10.1186/s12909-018-1296-x.
- Pharmaceutical-Journal.com. "Encouraging self-care and positive lifestyle changes in patients with depression."
- The Telegraph.co.uk. "Reading Can Help Reduce Stress"
