By Jenna Brick ©
Mental health doesn‘t discriminate. We all have mental health, which includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It is important we take care of our mental health, just like how it’s important we take care of our physical health. Why do we have to take care of our mental well-being?
Our mental health affects how we think, feel and act. So when we take care of our mental health, we will think, feel and act in a positive way. One way to do this is through self-care. Self-care means taking care of ourselves so we can be ready to either learn at school, do our job right, parent our children, help and care for others and/or do the things we want to accomplish while feeling good.
Yes, even children and teens should practice self-care. A lot of children and teens are dealing with added stress and changes in routine and structure. Think about it, if you were worried about whether there would be food when you got home from school or the fight your parents had this morning, would you be able to focus on your math test? Would you be able to focus during virtual learning if you needed special accommodations that weren’t being met since you aren’t at school in person? We must support our youth, especially during these challenging times. Here are some tips listed below to get started.
Furthermore, adults must lead by example. How can you care for others if you can’t care for yourself? It is crucial we engage in self-care, but where do you begin? It starts with awareness. See below for some reflective questions to ask yourself. It is important to approach these questions honestly but with kindness. We are all a work in progress.
Depending on which area you think you need to make modifications is where you should begin. I suggest focusing on one area to start but you can always focus on more than one area. Remember, the key to success is to just start. Develop a SMART goal for yourself today to get started.
· Specific (simple, significant).
· Measurable (meaningful, motivating).
· Achievable (attainable).
· Relevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced).
· Time bound (time/cost limited, time-sensitive).
Lastly, it is okay to have to make adjustments to your self-care goal. Keep an open mind and stay flexible with your self-care plan. Believe in yourself, you got this!
Jenna
xoxo
Want more tips and resources? Need help creating your own individualized self-care plan? Subscribe to my page and I will reach out to you: website
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