Even the most capable of us struggle with our physical, emotional, and mental health time and again. It is crucial to know when to walk away when things start getting beyond control. It is vital to honor one’s commitments to the greatest possible extent but not at the cost of one’s own health and well-being.

Without your health and well-being, your accomplishments in life won’t be worthy of much, even if you do manage to outshine all the others around you.

Reading a lot about American gymnast Simone Biles this Olympic season has left us thinking more about self-care, to be more precise, how we often think about taking care of ourselves. We preach to our near and dear ones to take care of themselves but when it comes to ourselves, we repeatedly struggle when it comes to showing ourselves good self-compassion.

People usually expect impeccable excellence from us. They are not okay when we get overstimulated or overwhelmed by everyday situations. We are taught to push the limits and do anything to meet expectations. And as you can imagine, it can push many of us straight to the hospital, if not the grave, over the years.

Learning to take better care of yourself is always a good idea. It is not easy to undo the conditioning of exerting our maximum potential, that runs deep in our veins. Though it is difficult, it can be done.

Here are a few tips to get you started on your own journey back to self-care and compassion.

• Work on trusting your body and mind to tell you what you don’t need. There are visible red flags when you are approaching the breaking point. Pull back and give yourself the time to recharge.
• The few and far between mental health off days are lifesavers. They work wonders and we should definitely take them. In the long run, they will make you more productive, not less.
• Make it a habit to practice full-body health care to the greatest extent possible for you. Making ample room in your schedule for adequate exercise is self-care. Nourish your body with wholesome good quality foods as well.
• If you are obsessed with staying busy, it is time to get rid of this passion. Get some good quality sleep instead. Take some time off to take care of yourself. Stop and observe the beauty of nature and make room in your schedule to spend time with your loved ones. Reframe your focus to center on the things that matter most to you in life.
• The most important thing is to know when to ask for help. Understand that it is okay to seek help even before it is badly needed. Confide in a friend whom you trust. Seek medical help if you need it. Seeking help does not make you weak, rather it is the contrary. It signifies your strength.
• All good things take time to come. This holds true also when you are trying to unlearn toxic conditioning that you may have received regarding self-care. Be patient and understand this is a journey that will take time, unlike a decision that is made only once. With your persistent efforts, you will get there.

For more information on self-care, contact Restore 360, a dedicated mental health clinic serving the city of Philadelphia and nearby areas. Our therapists and psychiatrists are committed to providing the very best of assistance to our patients. We also offer full-service psychiatric assessment. This gives our clinicians an opportunity to get to know you and come up with a diagnosis. Whether you choose to join our treatment programs or not, you will benefit from getting a personalized diagnosis that allows you to get the exact care you need. Schedule your free consultation with Restore 360 to discover how best we can help you. Contact us online or call us at (484) 373-2710 with any questions you may have.