Self care has become a buzzword and the solution to many problems individuals face today. This includes going to the spa, investing in yourself or just doing what you love. Many times it is a luxury service that is referenced to when thinking of self-care. But what happens if you don’t have the extra income to practice the standard self care? Does self care apply only to the ones who can afford it?
What is Self-Care?
Self-Care does not have to be a financial commitment, take up a significant amount of time or be burdensome. There are many ways to care for your body, mind, spirituality and mental health. The key to self care is to begin to recognize when you are in a deficit and act then. Many times when we finally listen to our body, we are often fatigued, anxious, depressed or lonely. At this point, finding the energy to do anything feels impossible. Our body tells us everything we need to know about self-care; our job is to listen. We need to begin to recognize signs that we are needing self-care and realistic options to implement it.
Self-Care for our Body
Our body is a representation of what is going on physically and mentally. What are some ways my body tells me that I need self-care? Let’s begin with the basics. Our brain’s number one job is to keep us alive, this includes a hierarchy of needs. Food, sleep and safety are the main objectives our brain has our physical body perform. Simply listening to our body for hunger, thirst, and sleep cues is a great and free way to begin to perform physical self-care. A body in motion is building stamina, interacting with the environment and being stimulated by the world around us. The old saying is true “get up and get going, it will make you feel better”.
Sleep hygiene is similar to dental hygiene, doing the same thing at the same time every day, no skipping. Everyone knows what their internal clock is telling them, sleeping, waking, resting. These cues are vital to being about to perform at your highest level. Yes, you can do without food and sleep, for a while, but the crash that comes is great. Finding a primary healthcare provider is another way you can listen to your body and get feedback from a professional. Relying on others to help us discern what our body is telling us is a great resource and way to practice self-care, to avoid issues in the future.
Self-Care for our Mind
Physical cues are difficult to ignore, what is easier to ignore is what our mind is telling us. Thoughts, feelings and emotions are often easy to access or nowhere to be found. If they are in abundance this can often be a sign that you are in tune with your mind and mental health and there are no issues. If they are scarce, this can be a sign that there is hopelessness and numbness. Have compassion for yourself, life is hard. Things of this world are difficult to hold space with. Whenever feelings come up in relationships that feel overwhelming, it may be time to reevaluate boundaries. Boundaries are not high walls that don’t allow anyone or anything to pass. They simply are a representation of what we know to be best for us and our situation. When someone respects this boundary they are validating your boundaries. We are social creatures, we were not made to do this life alone. Rely on your community, neighbors and family to lend support when needed. If you have found yourself struggling with any of these factors, a consultation for counseling may be needed. At Cypress Roots Counseling in Palestine, TX we can help you sift through issues with emotions, feelings and mental health concerns to decide on a treatment plan that is best for you.
Self-Care for our Mental Health
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. You can be the healthiest person in the world, but if you are suffering with mental health struggles, it can be meaningless. Many times people are not aware of what mental health pertains to. The impact of your mental health becomes an issue when there is an impairment in your life. This could be seen in avoidance, unable to complete tasks, social withdrawal or a breakdown in communication with others. Listen to your body when it is time to rest, get out and do things that are enjoyable. This can look different for everyone. Many get joy from their john that it can feel like a hobby. Others may need to seek something completely different to find joy. Another way to manage your mind is to learn to recognize stress and negative thought patterns that are having a big impact on your day to day life. Feelings of anxiety are normal, they keep us alive and help to prioritize our actions. When these feelings of anxiety begin to influence our every decision making and relationships, then it becomes impairment. Learning to listen to stress cues and impairments is a lifelong habit that needs to be created and cultivated, due to the ever changing world we live in. If you find yourself needing help with discerning these impairments counseling is a great place to start.
Get Help From a Counselor in Palestine, TX
At Cypress Roots Counseling, we understand the struggle that individuals and couples face today and want to come alongside them to help them on the marathon of relationships. By scheduling a consultation you can meet with a therapist to discuss your needs and goals for couples counseling. It is never too late to seek counseling for yourself, your relationship or your family. Trust your instincts and the feeling that something is not right and get help today. Our team would be honored to offer support from our Palestine, TX-based practice. Get started today by giving us a call at (903) 300-2705, emailing us at jaclyn@cypressrootscounseling.com or by clicking the Request appointment below.
Other Services Offered at Cypress Roots Counseling
We understand that you may be dealing with more than one mental health or relationship or parenting concerns. Cypress Roots Counseling offers individual and couples counseling, as well as parenting help. Ethical, professional and confidential services are what you will experience at Cypress Roots Counseling. There are many types of counseling, but at Cypress Roots you will encounter CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Solution-Focused Therapy and Gottman Method (Couples).
