World Mental Health Day: Ideas for Self-Care

Today, October 10th is World Mental Health Day. Mental health is and will always be one of the most important aspects of life, but sometimes it can be difficult to prioritise and take care of yourself mentally. So I'm going to give you some tips on self-care to help your mental health.

Earlier this year, it was Mental Health Awareness Week. Back then, I shared some blog posts on tips to improve your mental health as well as movies to make you feel good.

Now, with it being World Mental Health Day, I wanted to share some more tips and tricks to improve your mental health.

Managing our mental health can be a tough thing to do in today's world, especially with the rise of social media. But it is so important for us to take time for ourselves and help ourselves feel good.

It's okay to not always feel 100%. It's okay to have low days. It's okay to not want to always go out and about.

But what's not okay, is not prioritising your mental health. So, I thought I'd share some ideas for self-care that you can do to help improve your mental health, feel better about yourself and life and just generally feel good.

Embrace your social life

When it comes to your mental health, there are times when you may not want to go out. You may feel quite lethargic or tired, but sometimes, it can pay to see family and friends, talk and connect to people and embrace your social life.

Typically, extroverts are those who are re-energised through socialising. However, embracing your social life doesn't just benefit the extroverts. For introverts as well, having a conversation with a close friend or family member can really help lift your spirits.

It doesn't have to be every day, or every other day. It can be that once a week, you schedule a phone call, or go for coffee or a meal out with someone who you're comfortable around.

Having a small event like those above scheduled can give you something to look forward. And being around those you love can boost your mood and your confidence, and can make you feel less isolated.

And if you're feeling really brave, you can even go to community events like a fair, a book club or a local quiz night at the pub. Whatever it is that you like to do, embrace it with someone by your side.

Embrace me-time

But going out and socialising isn't always the best for everyone and that's okay.

Spending time in your home by yourself is just as valuable as seeing friends. And it isn't just for introverts either, extroverts can indulge in some me-time to help boost their mental health.

Having that time by yourself where you can fully relax and not worry about anything else is a huge benefit to life. I don't do it nearly enough, but it's something I want to start doing more.

Taking time for yourself, doing an activity you love like reading a book or watching a new film/TV series you've always wanted to watch, is more beneficial than you think.

Sometimes, people think that if a friend asks you to go out, but you'd rather spend time at home, in your PJs snuggled up on the sofa for example, it's not really an excuse. Now I include myself in this group; there have been times where I've been asked to go out but what I really wanted - and what I needed for my mental health - was to stay at home and have a relaxing night in.

However, I end up going out and I don't get to reap the rewards I would have had if I'd embraced my me-time.

So the best thing for you, personally, will sometimes be to do something by yourself, to have that time on your own.

Pamper evenings

One thing I have recently discovered and now love is an everything shower. I first heard of this from a friend, who had seen it all over social media. And if you're reading this and thinking, what is an everything shower? I'll tell you.

An everything shower is a shower where you wash your hair, shave, cleanse, exfoliate, wash your body - basically everything you need to do to make sure you're super clean.

I love having an everything shower on a Sunday, particularly in the evening, because then when I come out, I can put fresh pyjamas on, maybe a face mask, sort out my hair, moisturise, and just generally feel as though I've been pampered.

This tip is probably more for the skincare and beauty lovers that read this blog, but trust me when I tell you how good an everything shower can make you feel. It rejuvenates your whole body, makes you feel clean and fresh, and gets you ready for a lovely night's sleep before the next day.

But if you're not an everything-shower type of person, then pampering yourself in other ways is just as advantageous for your mental health.

Do what you enjoy

In life, lots of people can get bogged down by what they think they're supposed to do than what they actually want to do.

But when it comes to your mental health, doing what you enjoy is the most important.

If you're finding yourself wishing the day or week was over before it's really just begun, or if you find yourself feeling 'meh' most days, having a hobby or something you love can really help.

It's very easy in today's society to let life pass you by but you should try and embrace every moment and every opportunity that comes your way. And one way to do this is to do something you enjoy.

There are so many different hobbies out there for all kinds of people and if you can find at least one hobby you love and schedule some time to do it, your mental health will be all the better for it.

Release the endorphins

Endorphins are hormones our bodies release when we feel pain or stress. However, they are also released when you do things such as exercise.

So if you love exercise, if you're an active person and like doing some cardio or weight-lifting, then one way you can better your mental health and improve how you feel, is by getting that blood pumping and doing exercise.

Not every exercise is for everyone; for instance, I have a friend who loves running. I don't run unless it's away from something bad. But I do love swimming and I love dancing and I love Pilates.

To improve your mental health, you need to find the right exercise for you and schedule time to do it. Releasing the stress in your body, getting the endorphins flowing, and working up a sweat can have a huge impact on your mental health - but it's a good impact.

Mental Health Charities

If you ever need someone to talk to or need help regarding your mental health, there are several charities and organisations that are out there to do exactly that.

Anxiety UK – www.anxietyuk.org.uk

Men’s Health Support – www.menshealthforum.org.uk

Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Mind – www.mind.org.uk

No Panic – www.nopanic.org.uk

Papyrus – www.papyrus-uk.org

Samaritans – https://www.samaritans.org/

Young Minds – www.youngminds.org.uk

Until next time...