How I Protect My Peace
Scheduling a mani-pedi, declining an invite and taking a walk are few ways to get some "me time" and to prioritize your mental health.
(Photo: Gift Habeshaw via Unsplash)
It is critical to take time for yourself in order to care for your mental health, especially in these difficult times. I have a few pointers that have been quite beneficial to me, and I hope they will work for you.
Me Time
I enjoy getting mani-pedis and those are my moments to wind down. Every other month I pamper myself and splurge a little on the pedicure with the warm towel, scrub and a longer massage time.
Piecing together a puzzle, meditating, brewing a nice cup of tea or coffee or watching your favorite show without interruptions, among other things, also classify as self-care. Or, your “me-time” can be done as a collective. Grab your friends and schedule a trip to Starbucks, breakfast or the movies.
Take a Break
If you’re stuck on an assignment, take a break and return to it later.
Make time in your schedule to relax and recharge your social meter. Being on the go all of the time might make it difficult to comprehend feelings and events. It’s fine to decline some invites in order to make time for yourself and prioritize your needs.
Take a nap, if needed. Listen to your body if it tells you it’s fatigued. Even if it’s a 30-minute break to close your eyes, these quick naps help me get through the day.
Unplug
It’s easy to become addicted to your phone, social media or both. For some, it is the first thing we grab in the morning and the last thing we put down before bed. We have Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter and many other apps that can keep us occupied for hours, and they can unintentionally drain us.
Take a rest from consuming news. Instead, try to read a chapter of a book, watch a comfort show, take a walk outside for a breath of fresh air, play a board game or take a cleaning break.
You can even take the time to learn a new skill you’ve been wanting to try for a while.
Journal
Journaling allows you to track your emotions that you may not want to tell anyone else and to go back and read entries and see your growth.
No matter how you do it – a composition notebook, your notes app or voice recorder, don’t miss out on the opportunity to jot down keywords and be present with your emotions.