Why Self-Care Is Essential To Your Mental Well-Being & Resilience
Be honest....do you feel like you have a never-ending to-do list? I get you! Balancing work, family, and all the life "extras" can feel impossible.
My day typically involves caring for two young kids, running my clinic, managing two businesses, tackling house chores, and squeezing in all those surprises at home or work. Sound familiar?
When I talk to others about self-care, here's what I hear over and over again:
"I just don't have time."
"I feel guilty if I take time for myself."
"I have so many other things to do first."
Do any of these sound like you?
I get it. Life gets very busy, and self-care often comes to mind last. The irony is that prioritizing self-care is crucial to your mental health and resilience so you can show up to your responsibilities and check off your long to-do list!
When stress starts building up, it impacts your physiology – your body's functions. Too much adrenaline and cortisol (the sterss hormones) can derail your performance and productivity. In the body, what goes up must come down: a surge of adrenaline will often lead to an energy crash. That's when we start snapping at our kids, feeling irritable with our partners, and blaming our co-workers for how busy we are. Sound familiar?
Stress can also hijack your thoughts and behaviors – causing you to focus on everything going wrong. But it doesn't have to stay this way. Think of stress as your nervous system's way of signaling that something requires your attention – it's a cue for reflection and change. Catching that early, or even better, preventing this scenario as much as possible, supports your overall well-being.
The Power of Self-Care Habits
Your mental clarity, decision-making, and emotional balance are all linked to self-care. You don't need grand gestures – small, consistent actions can have a huge impact. Ever notice how even a brief walk, a quick nap, or a few moments of deep breathing can reset your mood? These activities boost our "feel-good" neuro-chemicals: serotonin (for calm, self-regard, and connectedness), dopamine (for motivation), oxytocin (for bonding and trust), and endorphins (for masking pain, including emotional pain).
Self-care comes in many forms. For example, some of my self-care habits are exercise, meditation, journaling, and thought-reframing tools. I also regularly do quick self-care check-ins throughout the day:
My Quick Check-In Method
Here are three simple self-care questions I ask myself daily:
What's happening in my body? Am I hungry? Tired? Our bodies give us signals, and ignoring them can amplify stress.
What's going on in my thoughts? Am I overwhelmed? Closing my eyes, stepping back, and checking in can provide clarity.
What's in my environment? Are the conversations I engage in draining or adding to my energy? The space around you impacts your mental state.
Taking a moment to pause and assess each area helps reduce stress and regain control. This simple check-in can change your day's flow–and I do it regularly.
Self-Care Builds Resilience and Lowers Stress.
Consistent self-care lowers stress, improves mood, and boosts energy. Imagine what life feels like with proper sleep, balanced nutrition, regular movement, and emotional regulation. You'll be better equipped to manage challenges, handle stressors, and prevent burnout. And, most importantly, you'll feel good – physically, mentally, and emotionally. When we feel good, we achieve our goals more efficiently and improve our relationships.
Self-care helps you reclaim your power – reminding you that you are in control. Your stress may tell you to run, freeze, or shut down, but self-care helps you respond differently by checking in with yourself, making changes, and being proactive. That's how we build resilience and handle whatever life throws our way.
Do You Have a Mental Health Plan?
If you want to elevate your energy, mental clarity, and emotional well-being, review your self-care practices. Start small – pick one habit to change or do. How will you support your mental health today?
And remember, I'm here to help. Follow me on Instagram @the_mental_path for more self-care and mental health tips.