Yes! Because of this seemingly endless pandemic, symptoms of anxiety and depression have skyrocketed over the past couple of years. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 41.1% of adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depression in January 2021.

This is almost four times the amount that adults reported in years past as 11% of adults reported similar symptoms in 2019.

This is no way to live and there are ways to give your mental health a boost! Our AFC Urgent Care Southcenter team has some helpful information to share, so read on!

What Is Self-Care?

Self-care is any activity that we do to take care of our mental, emotional and physical health. Although it sounds like a simple concept, it’s something many often overlook.

Perhaps an equally important factor in defining self-care is by understanding what it isn’t, which is self-indulgence and selfishness. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is one of the best things a person can do to better care for others, so in no way is it a selfish act. We’ve listed some mentally healthy activities to add to your routine below.

Healthy Self-Care Activities

• Maintain a healthy, nutritious diet. This means eating things like veggies, fruits, lean meats and staying away from processed foods.
• Get enough sleep. Adults typically need between seven and nine hours each night.
• Exercise often. Exercise is just as good for your mental health as it is for your physical health.
• Spend time with loved ones or with your community.
• Do at least one relaxing activity every day, whether it’s taking a walk or spending 30 minutes unwinding.

What Happens When I Don’t Take Time for Self-Care?

Not taking the time to care for yourself when needed won’t usually cause immediate negative effects, but the long-term effects will be more noticeable. This is because consistent, healthy self-care promotes longstanding physical and mental well-being, so consistently ignoring what your body and mind need will do the opposite.

If you are new to the idea of self-care, we’ve listed some ways you can begin to implement it into your life below!

Where to Start with Self-Care

• Plan it out. Add certain activities to your calendar and actively look for opportunities to practice self-care.
• Stick to the basics. Things like improving your diet, allowing yourself to rest and taking media breaks are great places to start.
• Evaluate how you feel after you practice self-care. If your stress levels are high after practicing one thing, it might be helpful to try something else. Practice makes perfect.

Our team at AFC Urgent Care Southcenter is passionate about your mental and physical health! If you have any other questions or health concerns, don’t hesitate to call or visit us today.