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Self-Care (Mind-Body-Spirit)

Recently there has been a movement in favor of people promoting their self- care.  It is important to focus on the mind, body, and spirit as ways to elevate your self-care. These 3 components each can have very powerful effects when nurtured and tended to. Below are some tips that can have you improving your self care for this year.

 
MIND:  It is good to make sure you have a reduced stress life. Things that can put your mind at ease are through being organized, having a strategic plan for yourself, and finding what is the root cause of your stressors. The ability to organize your daily life can be very calming. Simple practices such as making use of your calendar and/or planner can provide the structure your mind craves. Having a plan of action for your life's goals can be very empowering. Taking time to research and strategize how to achieve your health, career, financial, and/or personal goals can  leave a person with a rewarding feeling. If you need that extra push to get you where you want to be, consider hiring a  coach who can guide you in achieving these goals. Also, once you realize what the root cause of your stressors are, you can always seek the assistance of those who specialize in finding that solution for you. For instance if you are having issues with depression, anxiety, or  substance use  you may want to get the professional help of a licensed therapist or psychiatrist. If you're struggling with your finances, it may be crucial for you to get the assistance of a financial planner or accountant. If you prefer to work alone, listening to popular podcasts and/or reading books or blogs about  your topic of interest can be very insightful and a great resource in your personal development.
 
BODY: Looking out for your body can help improve your mood. I recommend exercising at least 3 times a week. This can encompass walking, dancing, or any form of high intensity physical activity. Exercise has a great therapeutic benefit to your body and overall health because you have opportunities to reduce your weight and chances of developing hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Also, you can improve your physical health by having a solid sleep routine. If you are having problems with your sleep, you may want to seek the assistance of a psychiatrist or your primary care provider for medication management. Increased stress can leave a physical strain on your body. Receiving massage therapy can be a great treat for your body. Other common tips, that we can consider no brainers for our body are to have regular appointments with your barber/hair stylist, dentist, and optometrists. These maintenance behaviors are vital for your optimal health. Treat your body like a shiny new car.
 
SPIRIT: Whether you are a spiritual or religious person, maintaining your faith is important for your self-care. Believing in a higher power greater than yourself can have therapeutic effects on a person. Prayer and/or meditation can put a person at ease and help set their day, month, or year in motion. As the statement goes, faith without works is dead; thus, having the guidance of your beliefs and applying action to your problems will help improve your life and self-care.
 
Balancing the mind, body, and spirit is not easy,but with practice this can become daily habits that will transition to life long habits which will be beneficial for your self-care.
 
Author
Dr. Ifeanyi Olele Ifeanyi Olele, DO, MBA, MS, is a board-certified psychiatrist who sees adolescent and adult patients in the greater Washington DC metropolitan area at Genesis Psychiatric Solutions. Dr. Olele is a dedicated psychiatrist in the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma-related stress disorders, and attention deficit disorders. Dr. Ifeanyi Olele is one of the few psychiatrists who utilizes psychotherapy (talk therapy) as part of his treatment plan.

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