Self-Management Strategies to Take Care of Your Physical Condition
There are many ways to keep fit, and they also have mental health benefits.
To take care of your body
Getting professional help can be very helpful or sometimes even necessary to stay physically healthy. Whether you need treatment for a specific health problem or help to adopt positive lifestyle habits (exercising, eating well, etc.), various professionals are available to assist you.
Tracking your consumption (e.g. drugs, alcohol, energy drinks, coffee) by noting it in a journal, for example, can help you get a better idea of when you’re more likely to consume. It can also help you assess what the impacts are on your physical and mental health and your relationships with loved ones. Reducing or monitoring your use can help you reduce its negative impacts on your life.
A nutritious and balanced diet is key to staying healthy. Eating well can help prevent and treat many diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer, as well as conditions like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. It also aids in reducing the side effects of antipsychotic medication and improves your well-being and day-to-day life.
Playing sports and staying active on a regular basis has many physical and mental health benefits. In addition to preventing chronic diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, physical activity can also help maintain good mental health. It reduces stress, strengthens emotional control, increases energy levels, and improves sleep and concentration.
All sorts of complementary resources and therapies can help improve your physical and mental health, including light therapy, meditation, massage therapy, acupuncture, and more. These resources improve well-being in different ways, such as reducing anxiety, pain, or fatigue.
Sleep is vital to your physical health. In addition to boosting your immune system, it helps prevent heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Proper sleep also has mental health benefits—it can improve emotional control, increase energy levels, and help you concentrate on finding solutions to your problems.
Setting aside time for relaxing activities can help reduce stress. Such activities can also improve sleep when included as part of your pre-bedtime routine.
Rest is essential to your physical and mental health. Taking time off (e.g., vacations and breaks) increases productivity at work, stimulates creativity, reduces stress, and boosts energy levels. Rest can also improve your quality of life by giving you time to take part in activities you enjoy, forge or strengthen personal relationships, and experience new things.
More strategies
There are other strategies you can use to find inspiration for good lifestyle habits.