It’s essential for each of us to focus on our wellness – physical and mental. Self-care affects our ability to navigate our world, while helping us develop and strengthen our resilience, or our ability to overcome obstacles.

Burrell Behavioral Health has some advice on how to navigate some of those big self-care questions to get started.

What is self-care and why do we need it?

Most of us are familiar with the necessary tasks of taking care of our physical health such as regular exercise, adequate sleep and eating healthy foods. These are important aspects of self-care, but our brains deserve to be cared for in the same ways we care for the other parts of ourselves. Self-care is any healthy practice that you do, such as walking in nature, reading, or cooking your dinner. Self-care is actually one of the most selfless things we can all do, as it supports our brain health. When we practice self-care on purpose, we are preparing ourselves to show up in our lives as the best partners, employees, parents, colleagues and family members we can be.

How do I start self-care?

Beginning our own personal self-care practice can seem overwhelming to some of us. Start by considering these questions: What healthy practices, activities and habits are you currently doing that help you feel better? What makes you feel more like the person you want to be? To develop your own wellness plan, recognize the self-care strategies you are already using that are helpful and notice when they are helpful to you. For example, taking deep breaths may be very helpful when you’re experiencing low-level distress, but for a higher level of anxiety, it may be beneficial to couple breathing with additional strategies. You could try going for a walk, reaching out to a close friend or family member, or engaging in a mindfulness exercise.

How often should I practice self-care?  

We should practice self-care every single day possible. The more we care for ourselves and our brain health during our day-to-day routines, the easier it becomes to use those strategies when we face challenges and the more resilient we become. Start with something you enjoy or know works to keep you calm and relaxed during times of stress. Then set a goal to practice that activity regularly so your brain gets into the habit. It is called a practice for a reason – it may not come easy right away and you may have to work at it. As long as you’re trying you are taking care of your brain.