Do You Have a Self-Care List Like Maddie?
3 Reasons Why You Should Compose One Today.
By: Lindsey B.
National Institute of Mental Health defines self-care as taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health.
1. Helps you manage stress and cope with daily stressors.
According to an article in the Harvard Gazette, 80% percent of Americans live with daily stress and have difficulty calming their minds. When we practice self-care, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated. This allows us to relax our minds and bodies.
According to Dr. Herbert Benson, director of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind and Body Medicine, some of the best self-care practices that counter the stress response include:
- Visualization
- Yoga
- Breathwork
2. Lowers your risk of illness.
Practicing self-care allows you to care for your mind and body, which helps prevents heart disease, stroke and cancer. Eating healthy food, getting enough sleep and being active are foundations of good self-care practices, say Voile Wright, PhD, APAS senior director of health care innovation. The more you engage in activities that promote an active lifestyle and proper nutrition, the more likely you will strengthen your immune system and ward illnesses off.
3. Builds mental resiliency by taking good care of your thoughts and feelings.
Creating a self-care list to include Mindfulness and other skills that trains your brain. The McLean Hospital reports mindfulness can be helpful by easing stress and creating a sense of calm, preventing mental exhaustion. Mindful-ness assists regulate emotions by decreasing emotional reactivity.
Let’s be inspired by Maddie and her practice of mental wellness by creating a tool-box with a self-care list. This self-care list can be a daily practice, a daily tribute to yourself and to Maddie’s memory.
