Self-care is important to maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself and Southeast Utah Health Department wants to make sure that everyone is taking the time to care for their mental, emotional and physical health.
“What people don’t understand and if you’ve never had a mental health struggle or have ever had to really dig into your emotions, self-care to you might mean just making sure you get your eight hours of sleep, making sure you’re getting your water intact for the day, taking your vitamins, and remembering to do a, b, and c, that’s self-care. But when you do struggle with your mental health self-care takes on a whole new meaning and so I appreciate being able to come in today and talk about it,” said Suicide Prevention Specialist, Amanda McIntosh. There are many facets to self-care it differs for each individual.
Sometimes just focusing on your breathing for a few minutes is a great way to decompress. “Breathing exercises will be your best friend, and just focusing on what your body is doing as the air goes in and as the air goes out. What is your body doing? That’s being mindful of what your body needs, your brain needs that oxygen so why not give it to it in a very concentrated way,” stated McIntosh. This technique helps to reduce stress levels, lowers your heart rate and blood pressure, but most of all it better regulates your body’s reaction to stress and fatigue.
“Another skill that I just mentioned is the mindfulness. There are so many resources out there today that are free, especially on YouTube that walk you through mindfulness exercises. Some of it is imagery guided, sometimes its just checking in with your body. From your toes to the top of your head. What is going on in your body? What sensations are you feeling? What are you smelling? What are you noticing that is happening with your body? These are all techniques for self-care,” explained McIntosh. Doing a quick body scan or closing your eyes for a minute will help the mind get in the present moment so that you can deal with life’s challenges in a clear-minded, calm, and assertive way.
To learn more about self-care visit the Southeast Utah Health Department website or contact Amanda McIntosh at (435) 637-3671.