Self-care: Tips to Look After Your Mental Health
Press pause and practice our wellbeing tips to feel emotionally, physically and mentally strong.
Looking after ourselves has never been more important than right now. From changing the way we live to the way we work and the way we communicate, our ‘new normal’ might be causing a new wave of anxiety, or accentuating an already existing anxiety, in our day to day lives. If you have been struggling to adapt or cope, you are not alone.
With the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week around acts of kindness, showing each other care and compassion during these uncertain times can help us navigate the days ahead – especially not forgetting to show care to yourself.
Sharing her tips on how to maintain our mental health, our Global Head of Education and Wellbeing, Christina Salcedas, encourages us all to press pause and put our self-care first.
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When looking after my own mental health and wellbeing, I always prioritise three things..
1. Sleep
Sleep is vital for our physical and mental health. Having a good night’s rest helps to regulate the chemicals in our brain that transmit information. These chemicals are important in managing our moods and emotions.
To ensure a tranquil night, I always mist my pillows, duvet and even my pyjamas with our Deep Relax Sleep Mist. Its lulling blend of Vetivert (a natural sedative!), Camomile and Sandalwood pure essential oils help ease my mind fast, so I can slip into a deep night’s sleep and wake up feeling energised and rested.
2. Managing Stress
Stress is often unavoidable but knowing what triggers your stress and knowing how to cope is key in maintaining good mental health. If I feel I am getting a little stressed I take a moment to take a breath – I grab my favourite Roller Ball and use the essential oils to transport me to a place of calm.
Even if just for a short moment, having this time to recollect my thoughts and ground myself helps me manage any feelings of anxiety.
3. Keeping Active
Exercise is essential in maintaining good mental health. Being active not only gives you a sense of achievement, but it boosts serotonin, one of the hormones that help put you in a good mood. We should all be aiming for 30 minutes minimum of physical activity – whether an at-home workout, a spot of gardening, housework or just a light stroll around the block.
We know that sleep, managing stress and exercising are crucial for mental health, however, here are a few more tips on keeping mentally well...
4. Stay Connected
As humans we are intrinsically wired to be social. Ensure you keep in touch with family and friends, and now that we are able to, get out and enjoy that one daily social distant walk with a loved one. Use a Roller Ball while out to set that memory to that smell, so next time you aren’t feeling great you can reapply, and your brain will be wired to take you back to your happy moment.
5. Practice Mindfulness
We have a habit of “catastrophising”, so when you feel things are getting a bit too much, take a moment to inhale a few deep breaths and be in the “moment”.
Use some De-Stress Mind Pure Essential Oil Blend in a home diffuser and sit comfortably - taking notice of what you can hear and paying attention to what you can feel.
6. Give to Others
Research suggests that acts of giving and kindness can help improve your mental wellbeing. It could be large ones like volunteering in your local community or small acts of kindness towards other people, like dropping off some aromatherapy wellbeing gifts to their door.
We are supporting Mind, the mental health charity.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, we are proud of our year-long partnership with Mind. As well as providing advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem, Mind are dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of mental health and how your own moments of self-care can improve mental wellbeing.⠀
If you are currently struggling with your mental health during this pandemic, you are not alone.
