Self-Care Looks Different for Everyone
Self-Care Looks Different for Everyone
Set goals and priorities. Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say “no” to new tasks if you start to feel like you’re taking on too much. Try to be mindful of what you have accomplished at the end of the day, not what you have been unable to do.
Practice gratitude. Remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for. Be specific. Write them down at night, or replay them in your mind.
Focus on positivity. Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts.
Stay connected. Reach out to your friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help.
Self-care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what you need and enjoy. It may take trial and error to discover what works best for you. In addition, although self-care is not a cure for mental illnesses, understanding what causes or triggers your mild symptoms and what coping techniques work for you can help manage your mental health.
When to Seek Professional Help
Seek professional help if you are experiencing severe or distressing symptoms that have lasted 2 weeks or more, such as:
Difficulty sleeping
Appetite changes that result in unwanted weight changes
Struggling to get out of bed in the morning because of mood
Difficulty concentrating
Loss of interest in things you usually find enjoyable
Inability to perform usual daily functions and responsibilities
Don’t wait until your symptoms are overwhelming. Talk about your concerns with your primary care provider, who can refer you to a mental health professional if needed. If you don’t know where to start, read the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Tips for Talking With a Health Care Provider About
Your Mental Health. Learn more about how to get help or find a provider on the NIMH’s Help for Mental Illnesses webpage.
What to Do in a Crisis
If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. This service is confidential, free, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In life-threatening situations, call 911.
Above all, stay positive. You may not be friends with everyone you meet, but maintaining a friendly and friendly attitude can help improve relationships in your life. It can also sow the seeds of friendship and new friends. Joining a discussion group or online community can help you build or maintain relationships and reduce loneliness. However, research suggests that the use of social networking sites does not necessarily translate into wider online networks or close relationships with network members. Also, remember to be careful when sharing personal information or arranging events with someone you’ve only met online. Developing and maintaining good friendships involves giving and receiving. Sometimes you’re the sponsor, other times you’re the receiver. Letting your friends know that you care about them and appreciate them can help strengthen your bond. Being a good friend is as important to you as the good friends around you. To remain your friend:
Be kind. This most important quality remains at the heart of a successful relationship. Think of friendship as an emotional bank account. Every good deed and every expression of gratitude is kept in this account, while criticism and negativity are attracted to the account. Be a good listener. Ask what’s going on in your friends’ lives. Let the other person know that you’re paying close attention through eye contact, body language, and occasional short words like, “That sounds sweet.” When friends share details of difficult times or difficult experiences, empathize, but don’t. don’t give advice unless your friends tell you to.
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