Self-care can certainly include treating yourself to a day at the spa or being pampered, but it also means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health.
Latoya Carpenter, LCSW, The Self Care Corner, says, “Yes, definitely, self-care is more than just bubble baths and pampering. You have to dive deeper and just find ways to regulate your emotions as well. So, we have to set boundaries. We have to find ways to manage our stress, because mental health is very important.”
More than 1 in 5 adults across the nation are affected by mental illness.
Carpenter says it is about being intentional. Knowing how to navigate major life transitions and set boundaries.
Latoya Carpenter says, “Whether it’s a transition from going to a new job, a transition from grief and loss, a transition from having a new marriage, or children coming into the mix. So, it’s important just to kind of find ways to adjust those transitions.”
Some other things to keep in mind:
* Prioritize Sleep
* Nourish the Body with healthy meals
* Stay Hydrated
*Engage in gentle exercises
Trying to find the right therapist and care is not one size fits all.
Latoya Carpenter says, “When we look at different cultures, you know, we look at mental health in different ways. So, we have a team of providers from all various backgrounds who understand the culture and how we take those into our healing practices.”
But a major thing that holds a lot of people back is access. Carpenter says that’s why online treatment is growing.
Latoya Carpenter says, “Whether it’s traffic, where there’s busy life, busy schedule, being a mom, being a child who has all these activities that’s going on, we take out all those barriers that can prevent people from attending counseling.”
Some of the major conditions that lead to serious mental health issues are anxiety and depression, which is why it is important to learn practical tools to deal with those issues before they get worse.
Latoya Carpenter says, “Don’t wait till it’s at the end, where you’re super stressed or so on. So, it’s better to just kind of find ways to manage those.”
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