Written by Dr Samir Parikh
Even as the comforts and luxuries of everyday living are more now than ever before, an increasing number of people are talking about discontent, stress and loneliness. Caught in a whirlwind of personal commitments and unrelenting deadlines, what often gets relegated to the backburner of our priorities is our own self.
A self-care routine is important because stressors may change form and context but will never go out of your life. And the sooner we accept this reality and gear ourselves up to face it, the better we will be. Self-care is not a luxury, it is a priority if you do not want to be overwhelmed by life, feel unhappy or exhausted.
Self-care begins with looking after our physical well-being. Even in the midst of our pressures, taking out time for physical activity, or preferably playing a sport, can do wonders for physical and mental fitness. Simple steps like eating regular meals, staying hydrated, feeling the breeze on your face and ensuring 6 – 9 hours of sleep every night go a long way as well. Stay away from substances – they impact our mood and our health.
We can’t talk about self-care without talking about how technology has impacted our day-to-day life. What started out as a way to boost efficiency and ease our lives has now become one of our biggest sources of stress. We find it difficult to switch off from our gadgets, whether it’s for work or for rejuvenation. Take some time away from gadgets to recharge your own self. Stay away from screens before bed and engage in activities in the real, offline space. You will sleep better.
Beyond taking breaks from gadgets, some R & R is important, not just to enhance self-care but also to improve productivity. Take a short break after every 45 minutes of work. At the same time, balance work responsibilities in a manner that allows for some down time, to allow us to come back stronger and sustain our efforts.
HomeLifestyleHealthSix simple steps to mental health management
Six simple steps to mental health management
Dr Samir Parikh, Consultant Psychiatrist, Director, Fortis National Mental Health Program, Fortis Healthcare, suggests that self care begins with prioritising oneself and stepping out into the fresh air
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Updated: May 31, 2022 9:15:17 pm
Beyond taking breaks from gadgets, some R & R is important, not just to enhance self-care but also to improve productivity.
Written by Dr Samir Parikh
Even as the comforts and luxuries of everyday living are more now than ever before, an increasing number of people are talking about discontent, stress and loneliness. Caught in a whirlwind of personal commitments and unrelenting deadlines, what often gets relegated to the backburner of our priorities is our own self.
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A self-care routine is important because stressors may change form and context but will never go out of your life. And the sooner we accept this reality and gear ourselves up to face it, the better we will be. Self-care is not a luxury, it is a priority if you do not want to be overwhelmed by life, feel unhappy or exhausted.
1) Give your body some time
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Self-care begins with looking after our physical well-being. Even in the midst of our pressures, taking out time for physical activity, or preferably playing a sport, can do wonders for physical and mental fitness. Simple steps like eating regular meals, staying hydrated, feeling the breeze on your face and ensuring 6 – 9 hours of sleep every night go a long way as well. Stay away from substances – they impact our mood and our health.
2) Plug off from time to time
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We can’t talk about self-care without talking about how technology has impacted our day-to-day life. What started out as a way to boost efficiency and ease our lives has now become one of our biggest sources of stress. We find it difficult to switch off from our gadgets, whether it’s for work or for rejuvenation. Take some time away from gadgets to recharge your own self. Stay away from screens before bed and engage in activities in the real, offline space. You will sleep better.
3) Rest and Relaxation
Beyond taking breaks from gadgets, some R & R is important, not just to enhance self-care but also to improve productivity. Take a short break after every 45 minutes of work. At the same time, balance work responsibilities in a manner that allows for some down time, to allow us to come back stronger and sustain our efforts.
4) Get creative
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As adults, recreational activities don’t always find space in our busy schedules. Asking people what they do for fun or what their hobbies are is met with a confused silence. Creative pursuits are a great way to relax, switch off from the stressors around us and express ourselves freely. Engage in artistic activities like painting, music or dance as a way to rejuvenate. Learning other skills, not necessarily directly related to your work, that you feel can enhance your overall quality of life can also be helpful.
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