Being your best self – self-care for mental health
Almost everyone is looking to improve their mental health and well-being. One of the main ways to support your mental and emotional health is easier than you might think – it's self-care. Dottie Fuentes, chief clinical officer for Northeastern Center, offers some tips and information about self-care and how to incorporate it into your daily life.
What is self-care?
Self-care is any intentional action you take to care for your mental, emotional, or physical health. It's about tuning in to what your mind and body need and giving yourself permission to prioritize those needs — without guilt. Self-care doesn't have to be complex or time-consuming. Sometimes it's rest. Sometimes it's movement. Sometimes it's asking for help. It's personal, and it evolves over time as your needs change.
Why is self-care important?
Life pulls at us in a hundred different directions — work, family, relationships, responsibilities. If we don't take time to recharge and check in with ourselves, we risk burnout, stress, and feeling disconnected. Self-care is not selfish — it's essential. When we care for ourselves, we're better equipped to care for others and fully engage in life. Self-care helps us:
- Manage stress more effectively.
- Feel more balanced and grounded.
- Build resilience during tough times.
- Strengthen relationships.
- Stay physically healthier and mentally clearer.
Examples of self-care:
Self-care extends way beyond bubble baths and face masks; in fact – there are many different types of self-care that can be done in many ways. Some forms of self-care include:
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Mental/Emotional self-care
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- Saying "no" without guilt – protecting your time and energy.
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- Unfollowing/muting people on social media – protecting your mental space.
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- Re-reading your favorite book – finding comfort and joy in familiarity.
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- Letting yourself cry – emotional release is healing.
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- Journaling a list of things you're 'not' going to do – setting boundaries.
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Environmental self-care
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- Tidying one drawer – small wins help reduce mental clutter.
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- Changing your bedsheets – an underrated comfort boost.
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- Create a cozy-corner in your home – a go-to recharge space.
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Physical self-care
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- Stretching for five minutes – gets blood flowing and resets posture.
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- Drinking water before coffee – giving your body what it needs.
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- Getting outside first thing in the morning – resets your circadian rhythm.
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Social self-care
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- Sending a voice note instead of a text – feels more human and connected.
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- Scheduling "catch-up" time with yourself after social events – decompressing is important.
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- Leaving group chats temporarily – reclaim your mental space.
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Digital self-care
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- Turn off notifications – regain focus and control
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- Declutter your desktop or phone screen – help yourself to feel less overwhelmed.
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- Set screen time limits for apps.
How to incorporate self-care into your daily routine.
Learning to incorporate self-care practices into your daily life and routine can help you manage stress and decrease feelings of burnout. Some simple and practical ways to incorporate self-care include:
- Start small and make it easy. Self-care doesn't have to be big to be effective. Choose one or two simple things that take five minutes or less and add them to your daily routine.
- Build it into things you already do. Pair self-care with habits you already have, like listening to a podcast while doing the dishes.
- Schedule it – Block off time on your calendar, even if it's just 10 minutes.
- Redefine self-care as daily maintenance. Self-care isn't damage control; it's how we maintain ourselves. It is a daily act of respect for your body and mind.
Success starts within
You cannot pour from an empty cup; incorporating sustainable self-care practices into your daily routine will help to keep you grounded and regulated before you find yourself running on empty. You can find even more information about self-care and how it relates to mental health here, or check out more of our articles for mental health tips from local professionals.
