Self-care: What is it? Why is it so important to your health? – News

Mental health includes a person’s emotional, psychological and social well-being. It is important for overall health and quality of life and affects how a person thinks, feels, acts and reacts. When it comes to mental health, self-care can help people manage stress, reduce the risk of illness, and increase energy levels. But what exactly is self-care? Why is it important? And how can people incorporate self-care into their daily lives?

Experts from University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnicks E. Hersink School of Medicine Answer common questions about self-care and the role it plays in maintaining positive physical and mental health.

“Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health,” he said. Sumyah AbdMD, Assistant Professor in Department of Family and Community Medicine and family medicine physician at UAB Medical Hoover Primary and Specialty Care. “Self-care plays a role in maintaining mental health and supporting the treatment and recovery of people with mental illness.”

As of 2011 National Institute of Mental Healthself-care means taking time to do things that help people live well and improve their physical and mental health.

“Self-care is important because it allows us to connect with ourselves and connect with the things that are most important to us, because it increases our well-being,” he said. Kaylee Crockett, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine. “It can help prevent disease from occurring or reoccurring, and it builds our ability to deal with stress and survive.”

Unfortunately, self-care is sometimes seen as a luxury rather than a need; But Crockett wants to remind everyone that self-care is something everyone needs every day, not just those who may feel stressed.

She recommends making self-care a part of one’s daily routine and setting aside intentional time for self-care activities. This can look like making time in the calendar for self-care or catching up with friends, family members and partners, or taking time to do something that both parties enjoy. When engaging in self-care activities, take steps to limit distractions, such as turning on “do not disturb” devices at times set aside for self-care activities.

Below are some steps Abed and Crockett recommend everyone take to make self-care a priority.

• Eat a balanced diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, seafood and nuts to improve energy and focus throughout the day.
• Drink at least 60-62 ounces of water daily and increase water intake during the summer. Limit caffeinated beverages like soda and coffee and limit alcoholic beverages.
• Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. Walking daily can help improve mood and health. A small amount of movement increases.
• Schedule time each day for relaxation and stress-reducing activities, such as yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, listening to music, journaling, or new hobbies that a person can enjoy on their own or with others. Hobbies are a great way to keep the mind busy and learn new skills.
• They sleep seven to nine hours a night. Avoid looking at phones or computers before bed because the blue light from the screens can make it harder to fall asleep. Before going to sleep, violent movies and sad news should be avoided; Instead, turn to inspirational books or influential podcasts.
• Build strong relationships with supportive family members and friends, or look for activities like classes and support groups that give you the chance to meet new people. Find friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help.
• If you experience distressing symptoms or self-care efforts are not helping, seek help from a health care provider to connect with counselors and other resources.

“Self-care looks different for everyone,” Crockett said. “Talking to the people in your life about your chosen self-care activities can be helpful, but it’s important to remember that not everything that works for them will work for you. A good starting point is to take time to reflect on activities that you enjoy doing, that make you feel good, and that are meaningful. Start setting small goals that can become part of your daily routine.

Self-care activities should leave a person feeling relaxed, strong, and rested. If certain activities make a person feel more tired, it’s time to try a different approach. By establishing good daily habits for self-care, everyone can learn the signs that they need more attention to self-care when stressors start piling up.

When it comes to defining positive mental health, Crockett sees feeling healthy as a continuum – meaning that a person does not experience high levels of stress on a day-to-day basis, they have positive coping strategies to effectively deal with the daily stressors. and participate in meaningful daily activities and relationships. Sometimes situations have a negative impact on mental health, leading to high levels of stress and making it difficult for each individual to work and work with important things.

When stress becomes too much for a person to bear, it can lead to a mental health crisis. In addition to prioritizing self-care, it’s important to recognize the signs of an impending crisis so you know when to seek help, says Abed.

Some signs that may indicate a serious mental health concern include:

• Low energy or fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Changes in appetite
• Changes in sleep
• A feeling of isolation, not wanting to leave the house and be with others
• Feelings of guilt, sadness, despair or anxiety
• Thoughts of suicide and self-harm
• Excessive drinking, smoking or smoking

“If you get to the point where you can’t manage your condition on your own, it’s important to ask for help,” Abd said. Talk to a healthcare provider who can interpret your symptoms and connect you with the resources you need. If you are thinking of harming yourself or others, you need to go to the emergency room. Also call 911 or National Suicide and Crisis Hotline 988 for 24/7 help.