How To Take Care Of Yourself When Times Are Tough

If you are going through a tough time, it is vital to take care of yourself. Here are our top tips to do so…

Taking care of your mental health is a daily thing, but it can get extra challenging when it is additionally affected by unpredicted outside factors and triggers. Especially for people who already struggled with mental health issues, the current situation with the epidemic caused by the coronavirus has shown to be particularly stressful. 

It is quite a strain on the already hectic, and at times, overwhelming world. Here are the suggestions on how to decrease stress and how to look after your mental health altogether. in this rollercoaster of a year.

Many of us envisaged 2020 as the year. Many travel plans were made, countries added to bucketlists and the January blues had us rushing to book into a boutique holiday or jazzy all-inclusive in sunnier climes. Then the dreaded happened and all plans were firmly placed on hold. Not to matter, for while you mightn't be able to head abroad, the weather in the UK is set to be scorching so there's no better time to bring the abroad home with these top tips. Find out how to bring the holiday feeling to your home this summer... Throw a themed vacation day Whether you live alone, with family, or are looking to invite a couple of close friends for a socially-distanced day in the garden, why not up it a notch? Think of the destination you were meant to go to or wanted to head to this year and try to recreate it in your own back garden? You could decorate the space with palm trees and bunting, play your favourite Ibiza classics and make mimosas to sip in the sunshine. Dress in your favourite summer ensemble and if you are lucky enough to have your own pool, recreate your favourite vacation pics! You might need to invest in a swimming pool heater however, as the UK isn't quite as warm as other destinations across the pond! Cook your favourite foods from around the world One of the best things about heading abroad is getting the chance to try a myriad of different cuisines. 2020's travel ban shouldn't mean you miss out, so why not have a week of trying the different cuisines of the places you should have been travelling to? You could pair with traditional drinks of each destination to give it a more authentic feel. Why not indulge in homemade pizza and Limoncello for a taste of Italy, authentic Thai curry with some Sangsom - a popular Thai spirit, or a rustic camembert, crusty baguette and crisp white wine for a taste of France?  Get crafty with cocktails As synonymous as fish and chips, holidays are made for cocktails. Strawberry daiquiris, mojitos, pina colada and many more bring back memories of tan lines and sand between your toes. There are many cocktail recipes to be found online to recreate some of your favourites, and if you have a blender you could make some delicious iced tipples to enjoy in the sunshine. Be sure to get some fruit and cool glasses to display your cocktails in - they make all the difference!

Exercise and keep active

Physical activity has numerous proven benefits for your mental health. Whether it’s yoga, gym, martial arts, dance, etc, it is entirely up to you.  Even if for some reason you can’t strain yourself with any sort of difficult activity, professionally recommended variations of certain exercises or a long walk every day can do wonders. A lot of people already established a healthy training rhythm, realizing the beneficial traits it has on their physical and mental wellbeing. However, the current situation with its restrictions requires some adjustment, but just because you can’t do your usual exercise routine doesn’t mean should quit completely.

In case you lack the motivation to start exercising at home by yourself, there are numerous online training classes to consider.

A healthy diet

People often forget just how important it is that your brain gets all the necessary nutrients in order to perform and function properly. A proper and healthy diet seems like such a banal thing, and yet it is such a crucial factor in maintaining your mental health, in keeping it stable and well.balanced. And, it is a simple thing to accomplish, it only requires a bit of research and discipline. Like with exercising, the state of your physical health is reflected in your mental state, and vice versa, the two are mutually connected.

Socializing

People have different thresholds when it comes to social situations, but not being able to socialize at all due to COVID restrictions has been hard for everyone. Now, maybe more than ever, it is paramount to have a good support system, surrounding yourself with people you feel comfortable with and when that isn’t possible to do in person, you can still stay in touch with the help of modern technology.

Reminder: When you can’t (or won’t) see other people, pets are always good company.

Therapy

Among all the different ways to look after your mental health, nothing is better than therapy. Everything else works as a bandage, a temporary solution that can make you feel better for a certain amount of time, but it doesn’t solve problems in the long run. All the previous suggestions are much more efficient when they are accompanied by regular (or even occasional) therapy sessions.

Therapy is still a taboo notion for a lot of people when there is absolutely no reason for that. Everyday responsibilities, personal expectations, work-related pressures, and the world, in general, can be a stressful place, even without a global epidemic dictating our every move. When things get to be overwhelming, it is important to turn to the professional such as counselors at www.clearmindscenter.com/The most important thing to remember is that there is no shame in needing help and guidance.

Acknowledge your feelings and accept who you are

It is normal to feel the whole variety of emotions (even the negative ones) and to be overwhelmed at times, particularly in a situation as stressful and uncertain as a global pandemic. All the feelings you have are valid, it is important to acknowledge them, and to express them in a healthy manner (something that you can learn in a safe environment provided by a therapist). Try not to be too harsh on yourself and be able to give yourself a break.

You need to be able to accept yourself for who you are and where you are in life, and not who you think you should be by now. Take it one day at a time and don’t forget, it is a process, change doesn’t happen instantly.

Natasha Colyer
Natasha Colyerhttps://seeninthecity.co.uk
My name is Natasha and I am the Editor and Founder of Seen in the City. I have always loved to express myself creatively, most particularly through my writing, and after working for a number of other companies including Vogue and My Chic City I decided to head out on my own and Seen in the City was born. You can contact me on natasha@seeninthecity.co.uk

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