Your mental health doesn’t just affect your emotional well-being, but also your social and physical states.

It affects how we think, feel, act and relate to others. 

Mental health is important to your overall health and quality in life. Self- care is key to help support your mental  treatment and recovery.

Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical and mental health. 

So, what  can you do? 

Getting regular exercise is extremely important when it comes to recovering from mental illness. 

Even something as simple as a 30 minute walk can help you boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so if you find that you’re struggling to get 30 minutes of exercise in, that’s okay.

Eating healthy with regular meals and staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

 A balanced diet and staying hydrated with water improves your energy and mood throughout the day.

Make sleep a priority. 

Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, even if that means staying to a strict schedule. Reduce blue light exposure from your screens before bed, as they make it harder to fall asleep.

You can try a relaxing activity. 

Explore wellness programs or apps, as this can incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation or breathing exercises. 

Setting goals and priorities are great ways to overcome mental battles. 

Decide what needs to get done, along with what can wait. Learn to say “no” if you start to feel overwhelmed. Become mindful of what you have accomplished at the end of the day.

Try to focus on positivity. 

Challenge yourself to identify your negatives and unhelpful thoughts, and focus on the positives.

Finally, stay connected. 

Reach out to your friends and family who can provide a space for you to talk and give you emotional support.

Self-care looks different for everyone, and that is why it is so important for you to find what you need and love. It may take time to do so.

 Although self-care isn’t the cure for mental illness, it can help you understand what triggers your mild symptoms and find what coping techniques work best for yourself.