Realistic Mental Health Self-Care

Hi lovelies!

How are you all? I hope you’re all doing well. I’ve spent all week Pokemon Go hunting, since me and my boyfriend have recently got back into the game since watching the Detective Pikachu movie at the cinema. It’s been a bit rainy, but that hasn’t stopped us going for poke-walks!

So, today I want to give my lovely readers a few tips on realistic self-care when you’re having a bad mental health day. Many of these posts consist of ‘apply a face mask’ or ‘have a shower’, but sometimes these simply aren’t realistic when you’re feeling low. This post will include some easier self-care tips that don’t take a daunting amount of effort, as sometimes even getting out of bed is hard when you’re having a bad day.

1.) Makeup Wipes

Makeup wipes are key for me when I’m having a bad mental health day. If I’m feeling so low I can’t face getting out of bed and in the shower, having a handy pack of makeup wipes/baby wipes on my bedside table is crucial to me. I use these wipes to clean my face and body so I can feel at least a little more fresh and clean. It takes two minutes and requires minimal effort.

2.) Chewing Gum

I always make sure to have some chewing gum lying around my room handy for days like this when I can’t find the motivation to get up and brush my teeth. I don’t know about you, but unclean teeth and bad breath make me feel even worse about myself, which is not what I need on a day like this when I’m already feeling pretty awful. Having a pack of chewing gum on my bedside table is crucial for me on a bad mental health day – it takes one second to pop one in my mouth and it leaves me feeling 10x more fresh, clean and human-like.

3.) Netflix

This may not be a helpful tip for many of you, as I know a lot of the time when I’m feeling low I can’t concentrate on a film or TV show whatsoever. However, I personally find it makes me feel a little better having something lighthearted and comedic on in the background that I don’t have to focus on and can just zone in and out of. It cheers me up and it’s a great distraction from horrible thoughts. One of my favourite shows on a day like this is FRIENDS.

4.) Drink Water

I know it can be hard to look after yourself with food and drinks when you’re feeling crappy, but drinking water is essential. Despite how hard it is to get out of bed, getting yourself a glass of water to keep on your bedside table and take regular sips of throughout the day can do a world of good. Please, please don’t neglect your self-care to the point of not looking after your fluid intake. It’s so important.

5.) Take Your Medication

If you take meds, make sure to take them. Trust me, I know how hard it can be to look after yourself and treat yourself kindly when you’re having a bad day, but taking your meds isn’t optional. You need to take them just as you’d take paracetamol if you had a headache. Please look after yourself. ❤

So, they’re my main self-care tips when I’m having a low day and can’t even face getting out of bed, never mind doing a face mask and putting a face of makeup on. Are there any self-care tips you find essential on days like this that I’ve missed out? Feel free to let me know down in the comments.

Lots of love,

Soph. xx