Self care for mental health begins with the acknowledgement that we are fallible and that painful things may happen. The realization that things will not always be well is important for wellbeing. It tempers our endeavors and teaches us to be cautious. When we are prepared for difficulty, distress is more easily negotiated. In addition, with such a mindset, we discover gratitude for the time we get when circumstances are going our way.
Our approach towards difficulty is central to determining the quality of mental health we possess. While there are many who emphasize facets like positive thinking and exercise or sleep, we believe it is our handling of pain that is primary. Self care for mental health is essentially about preparation. We ought to prepare more for the unpleasant rather than try and create what might be pleasant.
While spending time in the pursuit of goals is important, it is equally necessary to at times be without fixed expectations. Being without expectations allows us to be more spontaneous and more tolerant. If we can learn to work with whatever is occurring and whatever we get, we are less at the mercy of circumstances. Being like this is conducive to creativity and efficiency. And we naturally start to marshall the resources we have at our disposal for maximum benefit.
With outcome orientation, we usually emphasize design, calculation and manipulation. When we are process oriented, we learn to see the value of letting things be. As a result, we are freer and we begin to understand that acceptance leads more to ability and strength than does struggle. All this usually translates to adopting healthy practices such as trying to eat well and devoting time to proper sleep, recreation and exercise.
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