According to azblue.com, 64 percent of people said self-care has given them a confidence boost, 67 percent said it increased productivity, and 71 percent said it increased happiness. Every February is National Self-Check Month, where people check in on their mental and physical well-being.
Self-checking includes physical subchecks, such as regular doctor visits and self-examinations. This includes checking for changes in the body, such as new moles or shifts in normal bodily functions. It’s important to check for anything that seems unusual early to prevent conditions like skin cancer or diabetes.
There are also many ways to self-check in with yourself mentally, including wellness activities like skincare for your skin and yoga for your body. These may help not only with looks but also with providing a sense of calmness when feeling overwhelmed.
Health teacher Ms. Megan Hosking has many ways that she incorporates self-care into her life.
Hosking states, “…I love low-impact workouts – like hot yoga. It’s good for mental health and physical health. The temperature is also good for your cardiovascular health, in the same way a sauna is.”
Low-impact workouts are great for the body – they can keep someone in shape and active. Great options for this can be pilates, yoga, or a simple at-home workout. These energetic activities can not just keep the body healthy, but the mind as well.
For mental health, self-care is important because it affects how the body acts on a day-to-day basis. Being able to check in on how you are feeling creates a healthy relationship with the mind.
“Being able to have a self-check moment where you can realize ‘maybe I’m not doing well right now,’ then use positive coping mechanisms instead of snapping out of nowhere,” states Hosking.
Some ways to improve mental health can be doing something someone would find calming or soothing. This can include a cozy night in watching a movie, a spa night, baking, or reading a book. Taking a day off and relaxing is always important, and everyone deserves a day off.
Another technique, if you’re stressed at the moment, can be “box breaths.” This technique consists of 4 separate 4-second increments: breathing in, holding your breath, breathing out, and holding your breath again, then repeating until calm.
“Understanding ‘I feel this way because of this’ instead of spiraling and freaking out is super important in calming oneself,” states Mr. Thomas Hair, Health and PE teacher at Foran.
Keeping up with mental and physical health is important in staying collected. This month, make sure to take time in prioritizing well-being.
