Proper self-care is crucial for mental health and feeling well. Though often we tend to get distracted by the daily tasks of our stressful everyday life and therefore forget to focus on ourselves. Here are 5 self-care tips for better mental health that you can incorporate into your life today!

Self-care doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive and doesn’t need to take more than 5 minutes of your day. The idea of self-care is basically taking time to care for yourself. On some days this might look like taking a bubble bath or attending a yoga class, on other days it is as simple as taking a breather in the middle of a stressful day.

1. Make a list of what makes you happy

Knowing what makes you happy can be an absolute game-changer when it comes to proper self-care. Maybe you enjoy going for a run, meditating or journaling. Whatever it is, make sure to write it all down! List places and people you like to surround yourself with and activities you enjoy. Then, try to incorporate them into your daily routine. It is also important to be aware of places and people that make you feel down or negative and try to avoid them in the future to better your mental health.

2. Make it a priority

Try to make sure that your daily self-care practices stay a priority in your life. Consistency is the key to being successful and improving your mental health in the long run. If you find it hard to commit to daily self-care activities, try to schedule them into your day. Make sure to block time out in your calendar between your meetings and errands. This could mean going for a walk, doing some stretches, having a proper lunch break or simply calling a friend. Whatever feels right to you – always remember that it is super important to form self-care habits and then actually stick to them.

3. Learn to set healthy boundaries

Learning to set healthy boundaries was one of the hardest things I actually had to learn. Subconsciously I always said yes to things that I actually didn’t want to do and let people overstep my boundaries. I often wondered why I would feel so upset about certain things until I realized that I was not properly standing up for myself. When I started to learn how to set healthy boundaries, a lot of things changed for me.

A boundary is a limit between you and the other person, so kind of a clear place where you begin and the other person ends. They are a crucial component of self-care. That’s because poor boundaries in your daily life can lead to resentment, range and even burnout. Establishing healthy boundaries can seem hard at first but once you start, it will become easier and easier over time.

4. Get enough sleep

Sleep is incredibly important for your mental health. So much of what our body does for us happens when we are asleep. When we don’t prioritize enough sleep, we’re denying our body the time it needs to do its magic. A few quick tips for better sleep include taking a hot bath before winding down, having a screen-free bedroom and ending the night with a hot tea.

Getting the right amount of sleep can give you more energy, improve your concentration and help you manage stressful times. Also being well-rested will help you to keep a healthy headspace. Keep in mind that different people need slightly different amounts of sleep. So it is definitely helpful to find out how many hours of sleep you need and what sleep schedule works best for you.

5. Keep a mood diary

Ever heard of a keeping mood diary? A mood diary can help you to keep track of your feelings and emotions. You can find out what triggers feelings of depression or anxiety so you can learn to avoid these triggers in the future. The diary is also a great way to find out what lifts your mood so you can incorporate more of these positive things into your daily routine.

If you found these 5 self-care tips helpful and try any of them out, make sure to tag me on Instagram @aboutannella or leave a comment down below and let me know. I am always happy to hear what you think!

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