What’s stopping you from taking better care of your Mental Health?

Every day most of us take time to care for those around us whether it be a child, sick family member or an aging parent. We go out of our way to make sure that others are loved and cared for but we often leave ourselves last. If you are a parent, teacher, student or employee then you need to make time to care of yourself. Often times people burn out trying to be everything for everyone. Mental Health is not something that we think of when someone tells us to “take time for you”. Taking care of your Mental Health is extremely important and should be part of our daily routine.

As I get older I have realized that taking care of myself must become a priority if I want to be a great employee, volunteer, wife and mom to three kids. I had to stop making excuses and start making priorities. Below are just a few:

Eat Healthy. Educate yourself about what your body needs as you get older. Proper nutrition feeds the brain and keeps us strong and healthy. Meal planning and weekend meal prep has become a normal part of my week. I cut out sugary foods and drinks as well as excessive caffeine. Drinking lots of water also helps to keep away headaches and tiredness. Take time in your work day to have lunch...working through your breaks benefits no one in the long run!

Sleep. Get to bed early. I don’t know about you but I cannot function well on little sleep. In the evening you can turn off your cell phone and the television. Grab a book and unwind so that you can fall asleep at a decent hour so that you can get 7+ hours of sleep a night.

Exercise. Daily exercise and stretching is a great way to keep your body healthy and to keep anxiety and stress under control. Build time into your day to get at least 30 minutes of activity...go for a walk, attend a yoga class, ride a bike or go to the gym. This helps to clear my head and helps me stay focused on what I need to accomplish in the day.

Vacation. Use your vacation time! Plan time away from work and responsibilities. Give yourself time to mentally recharge and relax. You will be more effective at your job and relaxed with your family and friends.

The effects of good Mental Health care will resonate into every area of your life. If I want to be a better employee, wife and mom then I have to make time to do the things that make me happy and keep me healthy. We need to stop feeling guilty about taking time for ourselves and start taking steps to build the time into our schedules.

What’s stopping you from taking better care of your Mental Health today?