Thank you for this featured post on self-care Brad Krause. I found it extremely impactful. Please enjoy the read. You can see more of his work here.
How often are you practicing self-care? You may picture long meditation sessions you don’t have time for, but self-care is more about the basic routines that protect your mental health whether you’re at work or in the home. Often overlooked habits, such as getting sleep and stress relief, are critical if you want to preserve your mind, so take note of these important ways self-care can help.
A Healthy Home for a Healthy Mind
Breathing clean air is essential to your mental health. Since you probably spend most of your time indoors, you’re exposed to more airborne pollutants than ones found outside. That’s because indoor pollutants have nowhere to go, exposing you to its potentially harmful effects such as reduced energy levels. One way to clean the air in your home is by changing your air filters regularly (a three-pack is available for under $10). If your home has mold, you should hire a service to get it removed, since mold spores can negatively affect your health as well. Search online for local mold removal services and get quotes; keep in mind that you’re likely to pay $1,391-$2,500 for this service in New York City.
Better Sleep = Better Mental Health
Sleep is your mind’s way of refreshing itself and maintaining essential functions that help regulate your emotions. Without good sleep hygiene, you could be making your health issues worse, especially if you suffer from depression or anxiety. Lack of sleep can even cause these conditions to creep up on otherwise healthy individuals. So, make sure you are getting the rest your mind really needs. Not surprisingly, a comfortable mattress is the basis for any effective sleep routine, so make sure you have one that fits your sleeping style.
Healthy Foods Can Help As Well
Good nutrition is just as vital to good mental health as sleep. Just like adequate rest, your brain needs nutrients to protect the processes that keep you feeling balanced. One of the best ways to get those nutrients and vitamins into your body is to consume a diet of healthy foods. Adding brain-boosting superfoods can also give your mental health a break, so be sure to include selections such as almonds, fish, and avocados in your menu. For those times when healthy eating seems impossible, you can also look into adding supplements that can provide essential nutrients and do wonders for your mood, sleep habits, and even your beauty routine.
You Need to Relax Every Now and Then
Burning the candle at both ends is a surefire way to burn yourself out. Emotional exhaustion is definitely a thing, and it can be a major risk to your mental health. To prevent burnout, you have to work a little relaxation into your schedule, from everyday breaks to longer chunks of time. Think a vacation will keep you from getting your “to-do” list out of the way? You may be surprised to learn that workers who take vacations are much more productive than those who never take a day off. You need that break to maintain your focus and a positive attitude. No time for a vacation yet? Try these quick ways to relax each day.
Stress Relief Is Absolutely Crucial
If you work on improving your sleep, eating habits, and relaxation routines, you will have a much easier time dealing with stress and anxiety. That’s important because chronic stress, when allowed to build, can also cause the symptoms of depression to worsen. Dealing with a stress-depression-anxiety combo can be overwhelming and do serious damage to your overall health and well-being. One way to break out of this cycle is to find effective methods for controlling your stress. Aside from stepping away from work and email, you can also make more time to connect with friends and family, and learn to be more present and mindful to make negative stress less of a factor for your mental health.
Open Your Mind to Therapy
Some people find that no matter how much they incorporate self-care, they still need assistance to see improvement, whether that’s through medication, therapy or a combination of both. If you think it’s time to seek the help of a professional, let go of any stigma and remember these people are trained to help — not judge. Before setting up any appointments, confirm what your healthcare coverage allows so that you don’t get hit with a large fee you cannot afford. It’s also worth noting that some therapists provide help on a sliding scale. If your insurance is limited, let your potential therapist know, and find out what alternatives they offer.
Caring for your mental health doesn’t have to be confusing. A few basic self-care habits can help you take more control over your mental health and help you live a healthier, happier life.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Thanks again for sharing how to cope with stress Brad. I’d love to end with a note about self-love too. There are moments where we overly stress about things that are unimportant. So make sure to relax and take time to do what you love. Even if that means a personal day because you’re angry or sad and know you won’t be your best around other coworkers. It’s okay! Take time for yourself. It’s the most important thing you can do.
I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the week, and are enjoying the last few weeks of August! Can’t believe fall is around the corner…
x,G
Gracie Deale 
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