Relax

The mental health benefits of self-care can vary depending on your routine, but they are all important in their own ways. Whether you need to reduce your stress levels or simply find joy again, there are several things you can do to feel better. Your environment plays a big role in how you feel, especially if the spaces you live in every day are cluttered or disorganized; however, making some small changes can have a major impact on both your physical and mental health.

Below, Staimusic provides tips and resources for anyone looking to bring a little more fun into their lifestyle. Follow these guidelines for a healthier, happier you:

Turn your home into a sanctuary
Your surroundings play a pretty big role in your physical and mental health, but it can be difficult to see their impact when you’re living in them every day. Take a good look at every space in your home to get an idea of how they serve you. Are the surfaces cluttered or dusty? Are the rooms dim or disorganized? Do a thorough cleaning of each area, adding natural light to boost your mood and plants to improve the air quality. Stock the fridge with lots of healthy foods and fresh, filtered water; dark, leafy greens and lean proteins are a great start. If you don’t already have one, give yourself an area specifically for meditation or quiet time. This can be an entire room or just a comfy chair/yoga mat, depending on how much space you have. Having your own place to clear your mind and refresh can help you filter out the stressful noise of life.

Take care of your body
Speaking of stress, it’s important to understand the direct impact it has not just on your mental health, but your physical wellbeing as well. When you’re constantly under stress, it can affect your gut health, your skin and hair, and your muscles and joints and can even cause poor posture or flare-ups of chronic pain issues. That’s why it’s so crucial to take steps to both reduce stress in your daily life and learn to cope with it in healthy ways when it makes an appearance.

Knowing your stress triggers–for instance, work deadlines or driving in heavy traffic–can help you make adjustments to your schedule and routines that will keep stress at bay. Make some changes to your evening routine so you can get as much quality sleep as possible. Exercise a little every day to keep your muscles and joints in good shape, and consider learning some breathing techniques that will help you work through stressful situations. These can even be paired with yoga for double the impact.

Treat yourself
While taking care of your body with a boost in your routines is a great way to manage self-care, sometimes it’s important to treat yourself a little, too. Go beyond the daily changes and think of ways to make things a bit more special, such as getting a massage, investing in a few comfy tees or luxury loungewear, or celebrating little victories with some sparkling wine. Treating yourself doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming, but it will have a big impact on your confidence and overall well-being.

Self-care comes in many different forms and there is no one correct way to practice it, so try a few different methods to find the ones that work best for you. Remember that making small changes to your environment and taking steps to live a healthier lifestyle are great ways to take care of your mind and body that will benefit you for years to come.