Finding Self-Care that Works for You (Not the Other Way Around!) 🧘‍♀️

Finding ways to center ourselves after long days, hard conversations, or even just a night without proper rest 😴 can be a pivotal step in our mental health journey. You deserve to find ways to ground yourself in the present moment 🌿 and release the daily struggles you might be holding on to.

Some days, self-care means giving yourself permission to rest.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (2024), self-care is about prioritizing time ⏳ to do things that support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It's an act of self-love 💛—giving yourself back a little chunk of time throughout your day to focus on your wellness. Not only does self-care improve mental health by prioritizing yourself, but it can also decrease chances of illness 🤒 and boost your energy levels ⚡ (NIMH, 2024).

Now, the amazing thing about self-care is that it looks different for everyone. The stereotype is that a hot bath 🛁 will melt all our worries away, and while that might be true for some, self-care is deeply personal.

✨ Ask yourself:

✔️ What makes you feel better than before?

✔️ What helps you feel rested? 💤

✔️ What grounds you in the present moment? 🌎

✔️ What makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside? ☕

If your answer is a hot bath or reading a book—great! 📖 But if it’s bike rides 🚴, playing with your dog, cooking a meal 🍳, watching your favorite show, or even playing video games 🎮—that’s great, too!

Self-care doesn’t have to be a formal ritual. It can involve playtime, too.

At its core, self-care is about what contributes to your well-being—centering yourself in an activity that makes you feel calm, cool, and collected.

💡 Need some ideas? The NIMH recommends:

✔️Exercising regularly 🏃‍♀️

✔️ Staying hydrated 💧

✔️ Eating fulfilling meals 🥗

✔️ Getting enough rest 😴

✔️ Practicing mindfulness & gratitude 🧘‍♀️

✔️ Connecting with a supportive community 💬

Even minor changes to your daily routine can be an act of self-care.

Want to learn more about self-care from women in your community? Join Rise & Reflect, a Women’s Support Group starting February 19th at 8 AM ☀️. To register, email Kalley Seitz at kalley@skylinementalhealth.com 📩.

✨ Treat yourself by shaking up your routine—you deserve to carve out time for YOU! 

📚 Reference: National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). Caring for your mental health. NIMH. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health