This blog is written by Tina Martin, a guest blogger of CoffeeWithJR.
Talking openly about mental health is so important. It’s why checking out Coffee With JR can be very helpful for your own mental health journey. If you are preparing for a major life change or looking for personal growth, keeping these mental health resources and insights handy can be an incredible source of support and inspiration. Self-care is crucial for growth and happiness, and the tips below can help you make the most of your self-care routine.
Set Some Professional and Personal Goals
When we think of self-care, we tend to think of escaping professional pressures. Even so, having goals in our personal and professional lives can be important for protecting our mental health. Striving towards these goals can provide a sense of purpose and a sense of confidence. If one of your goals is to go back to school, there’s no time like the present! If you’re anxious about taking classes on campus, you can always enroll in an accredited online program instead. The MBA program at WGU is just one example of online programs that can boost your career.
Online classes may keep you pretty busy, but you should always take breaks for self-care. During those study breaks, try taking a few deep breaths or really check in with yourself. Also, step away from the computer and be sure to step outside for some fresh air and exercise.
Make More Time for Mindfulness Routines
Another habit that can encourage personal growth is mindfulness. Matter of fact, being more mindful has been linked to a greater sense of peace and satisfaction with life. Meditation is the first practice that may come to mind and this habit can also improve your physical health. In terms of your mental health, practicing mindful meditation can be an effective way to slow down repetitive thoughts and calm an overactive mind. More importantly, mindful meditation teaches you to get comfortable with these uncomfortable feelings, which can be so helpful.
If meditation isn’t quite doing the trick for you, there are other practices you can try. The point of mindfulness is to get you to slow down and live in the moment. You can even practice being more mindful while you’re driving, exercising, or enjoying your favorite foods.
Remember That Self-Care Is a Practice
It can be easy to forget the true meaning of the word “practice.” We tend to think that we have to get things right on the first try for self-care to be effective, but this only leads to more anxiety and frustration. Even something as seemingly simple as mediation takes, well, practice, so try not to focus so much on being perfect. Otherwise, you could end up missing out on the key benefits of self-care and you will have a harder time achieving personal growth. You see, making mistakes and valuing the process are both integral to growth and awareness. More importantly, you should learn from your mistakes.
Learning from mistakes takes practice, too. You need to be able to admit your mistakes while still having compassion for yourself, and this can be a big ask. Changing your mindset can also help, and many of the mindfulness and self-care tips above can help with this. If you’re struggling with past mistakes, anxiety, or any other issues that are impacting your mental health, you should also know that it’s okay to reach out for some additional support.
Whether you want to grow your career, your mind, or another aspect of your life, making time for self-care is critical. You need self-care to stay healthy and to thrive, so no matter how busy or hectic life gets, dedicate some time to yourself. Take classes, take a break, step outside, or simply take a few deep breaths. Above all, take care of your mental health. See how JR can help!
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