Self-care is more than a healthy body and healthy diet; our mental health is the foundation for a healthy life. Everyday stress can add to our daily load but it doesn’t need to take a toll on our mental health. Although we are not medical professionals at Moon Mother Hemp we care about you and your wellbeing so here are some tips for how we establish a self-care routine to maximize our mental and emotional health.
Why establish a mental health self-care routine? Routines tell our brain and body that we are safe and not to worry. The new thinking around depression is that small lifestyle changes and exercise can have a big impact, often more than talk therapy or medications.
Here is our go to routine for mental and emotional health:
1. Embrace the Big Six *
- Eat actual food—protein and leafy greens
- Drink water
- Sleep (7-9 hours is ideal)
- Move your body 30 minutes a day
- Spend time outside daily
- Socialize with another human being
(*source The Depression Cure by Dr. Stephen Ilardi)
2. Keep it Clean
Do you ever come home and can’t decide what to make for dinner? Is your house feeling cluttered with no order to it? Those are signs of “decision fatigue” where a decision needs to be made by you about what to do. If you are already feeling depressed, those decisions start to feel heavier and harder to resolve. The answer? 10 minutes a day focus on tidying up one thing that has been sapping your energy and making you feel anxious. Even if it’s just moving your shoes from the front hall to a closet, that simple act will decrease anxiety and fatigue and enhance your feeling of control over your own life.
3. Plan Your Day the Night Before
A major aspect of depression is an overwhelming feeling that there is an insurmountable list of things to do that will never get done. Instead of suffering day in and day out, make a list the night before in order of what you want to accomplish–big or small– and focus on one thing at a time. Each time you check something off that list, it is an affirmation of your wellbeing and a step towards self love. The idea isn’t to complete everything on the list daily, but to remind yourself of what you have chosen to do for you and break it down into smaller actions. To start you can even use this list as a daily depression relief checklist. Once that routine is established you can take on anything!
4. Take Your Medicine
Whether it’s a vitamin, supplement, or your daily dose of CBD, the routine of taking something to keep you healthy and protect you from stress and anxiety is the next best thing to giving yourself a hug. Put yourself first, and the rest of the day will fall into place. Have a question about incorporating CBD into your daily self-care routine? We are here to help. Give us a shout out on our website, DM us @moonmotherhempco or give us a call. We are with you and your well-being is our priority!
If you’re seeking support from additional sources that specialize in mental health needs and suicide prevention, please check out these helpful links:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
National Institute of Mental Health
