Self-care is vital to healthy living on many levels. It helps us to become the optimum version of ourselves. Our actions and attitudes are core components of self-care, and having the right mental outlook is a key to regulating wellness. Developing a positive mindset for self-care requires a commitment and work. The rewards are well worth the effort.
Self Care is a Right and a Responsibility
Many individuals today have been conditioned to believe that putting themselves first is selfish. Perhaps you have heard the term “buyer’s remorse.” This happens when someone experiences guilt after making a purchase for themselves. It is a sad reality that some people have buyer’s remorse when it comes to investing in their own self-care.
The right mindset accepts that self-care is a right. You are worthy of the time and effort it takes to create fulfillment. You have the right to be mentally and physically well. No one is entitled to diminish your need for self-care.
Furthermore, personal wellness is a responsibility. A good mindset means accepting responsibility for the path of your life. It is all too common today for people to lay blame when it comes to their own challenges. Taking responsibility empowers you. There is great comfort that comes from knowing you are in control.
Create a New Mental Narrative
We spend our whole lives telling ourselves a mental story. That story frames how we perceive the world and our reactions to life’s twists and turns. Close your eyes for just a second and listen to the story your mind is telling. Is it filled with empowering phrases and images, or is it polluted by a negative outlook?
You must learn how to rewrite the mental script that is often on auto play. A great way to do this can be to simply slow the endless procession of thoughts and noise. Meditation is a great way to quiet the mind and refocus on positive thoughts. This, too, takes effort, but in time the flow and substance of your own mental narrative can change for the better.
Stop Consuming Mental Junk Food
We live in the era of social media. These platforms can be useful for communicating with distant friends and relatives or even finding a story to lift your spirits. Unfortunately, they can also be toxic. There is far too much junk food for the brain on social media.
Your brain is a body organ that requires sustenance and nutrition just like your heart or lungs. It needs to be fed the good stuff. That hour you spend perusing a news feed that is filled with controversy, self-pitying posts, and mind-numbing videos would be better spent doing yoga or reading a book on the subject of wellness. Allow yourself to detach from social media and observe the results.
The mind can sometimes be unruly and must be disciplined. It must also be exercised just like the body is conditioned. In the beginning the work will be hard, but with each passing day you’ll find that your mindset is working on your behalf to promote self-care.
