COLUMN: Self Care and Why it is Important for Your Mental Health, by Rachel Affiong Umoh
Self-care is a general term that describes everything you do deliberately for your mental, physical and emotional well-being. As simple as it sounds, many of us pay little attention to self-care but we should, as it can affect our mental health. Everyone has mental health so self-care isn’t only for those who struggle with mental illness. It is important to take time to do things for our well-being to refresh and recharge so we can feel and be at our best.
Self-care is important to maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself. It means doing things to take care of our minds, bodies, and souls by engaging in activities that promote well-being and reduce stress. Doing so enhances our ability to live fully, vibrantly, and effectively. The practice of self-care also reminds both you and others that your needs are valid and a priority.
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Self care relies on increased self awareness. Sometimes our feelings become too much and we need to distract ourselves until we are better able to cope. We can also strategically change how we are feeling when things become too overwhelming.
Practicing self-awareness can help you recognize patterns in your emotions, including situations that can trigger worsened symptoms. It can also help identify what activities or tasks are necessary for your well-being, soothe negative symptoms of a mental illness or stress, or simply bring pleasure or relaxation.
Additionally, activities are a great way for us to distract ourselves from our current emotions until we are better able to cope. When our level of distress is too high, we may not be able to effectively handle a situation and need ways to bring our emotional state down. Some suggestions may seem similar to self-care, but distraction activities serve a different purpose. One person’s self-care activity is another’s distraction technique.
Self care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what you need and enjoy.
Rachel Affiong Umoh
Psychotherapist/Rehabilitation Practitioner
