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5 SELF-CARE STRATEGIES TO TRY RIGHT NOW

6499
4

Teladoc
4 Min Read


Self-care can help you build resilience toward the stress life throws your way.
Because whether you’re simply trying to balance life’s demands or managing a
mental health condition—emotional suffering should not be the norm. 

“Put your oxygen mask on first.”

This direction is one of the most common instructions flight attendants give
before the plane takes off. If you run out of oxygen, you won’t be able to help
others survive a crisis.

The same instruction goes for life on the ground too. When home, work and family
responsibilities pile up, it can be easy to forget to prioritize yourself. Over
time, putting yourself last can have a negative impact on your health.


WHAT IS SELF-CARE?

Self-care can encompass many dimensions of wellness, but generally, the term
refers to actions that improve your well-being, help you manage stress and live
your life to the fullest. Like building muscle mass, self-care strategies are
most effective when you regularly practice them, and it may take time to feel
results.


THE MANY FORMS OF SELF-CARE

You may think of a hot bubble bath or massage as a form of self-care, and that’s
true. But self-care encompasses more than just the physical—from mental,
spiritual, social and more. You may find you feel best with a mix of activities
from each of these areas.

“There’s a different way to look at how you take care of yourself and a way to
sort of just shift your perspective in terms of self-care,” says Dr. Desreen
Dudley, licensed therapist and a Teladoc Senior Mental Health Quality
Consultant. “You actually are taking care of yourself when you devote time to
your own needs and not always prioritize other people. You need to be able to do
that.”


SELF-CARE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE COMPLICATED

It can be helpful to take time to think through your current routines. Are there
activities you do now that bring you joy, contentment and stress reduction?
Maybe it’s reading a juicy novel, playing tag with your little ones or enjoying
some peace and quiet when your phone is on do not disturb.

That’s self-care.

 * It doesn’t have to take hours out of your day, be expensive or overly
   complicated. It might just look like regularly making time for some of the
   activities you thought of above.
 * An effective self-care routine will look different for everyone.
 * And as your life circumstances change, your self-care routine may change too.
   Self-care is meant to be a fluid practice that evolves to meet your needs.

> There’s a different way to look at how you take care of yourself and a way to
> sort of just shift your perspective in terms of self-care. You actually are
> taking care of yourself when you devote time to your own needs and not always
> prioritize other people. You need to be able to do that.
> Dr. Desreen Dudley, licensed therapist and a Teladoc Senior Mental Health
> Quality Consultant


5 SELF-CARE STRATEGIES YOU CAN TRY THIS MONTH  

The following strategies only scratch the surface of ways you can work to make
your well-being a priority. They can help get your self-care muscle-flexing. See
if any of these ideas resonate with you, and if so, pick just one or two to
focus on over the next month.


1. TALK WITH A THERAPIST

Therapy is the ultimate form of self-care. Using tools like positive thinking,
open communication and stress reduction techniques, your therapist can help you
uncover self-care and problem-solving strategies. It can be easy to find the
right therapist for you with Teladoc. Choose a therapist who fits your needs and
schedule video appointments seven days a week, from wherever you are.

Dr. Dudley on How do I find a therapist with Teladoc:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_dcsx8ohc4&t=49s

Find my therapist


2. GET OUTSIDE

The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates said, “Nature itself is the best
physician.” While nature should never replace medical care, it’s easy to feel
nature’s therapeutic properties when you spend time outdoors. Explore a local
park, eat lunch under a shady tree or simply bask in the sun for a minute or two
(just don’t forget your sunscreen).


3. REFLECT

Thinking of fond memories with your loved ones, expressing your gratitude and
appreciating the joys of life can quickly improve your mood and bring clarity.
This could be in the form of journaling, meditating, leaning into your spiritual
side or pursuing artistic endeavors like painting or photography.


4. ENJOY GOOD COMPANY  

> Staying connected to loved ones by telephone or video chat, whether friends or
> family, is a great way to stay positive and avoid feelings of loneliness.
> People feel more worthwhile when they feel connected to others.
>  Dr. Desreen Dudley, licensed therapist and a Teladoc Senior Mental Health
> Quality Consultant

Surrounding yourself with healthy relationships goes a long way in “filling your
cup.” Call a friend while you walk the dog, join a virtual book club together or
meet for coffee between errands. Self-care can even look like cleaning up your
friend list on your favorite social media platform so your feed only contains
people who enrich your life.

“Staying connected to loved ones by telephone or video chat, whether friends or
family, is a great way to stay positive and avoid feelings of loneliness,” says
Dr. Dudley. “People feel more worthwhile when they feel connected to others.”


5. TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY

Self-care can be as simple as getting an extra half-hour of quality sleep or
sitting down to enjoy breakfast instead of eating on the go. It can also look
like seeking support from a dietitian or talking with a doctor for issues that
have been lingering.

Taking care of your physical body—eating nourishing foods regularly, moving your
body, drinking enough water and sleeping well—goes hand-in-hand with your mental
well-being.


 MORE SUPPORT FOR YOUR SELF-CARE ROUTINE

If incorporating more self-care strategies into your life feels intimidating,
start with just one thing—like taking a 60-second quiz to see if therapy can
help you.

Teladoc offers online therapy services on your schedule, with experts available
to talk by phone or video. Schedule a visit 7 days a week at a time that works
best for you. Get support for a wide range of mental health needs—from managing
daily life and incorporating self-care strategies to anxiety, stress,
depression, bipolar disorder, trauma and more.

Find my therapist

Do you feel your current treatment plan isn’t working, or you’re just not
feeling better? A Mental Health Treatment Review from our experts can help.

Updated November 1, 2021

This portion of the Teladoc website occasionally offers health, fitness, and
nutritional information and is provided for educational purposes only. You
cannot rely on any information provided here as a substitute for or replacement
of professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Teladoc cannot assure
that the information contained on this site always includes the most recent
findings or developments with respect to the particular subject matter covered.

If you ever have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always
consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard,
avoid or delay obtaining medical- or health-related advice from your healthcare
professional because of something you may have read on this site. The use of any
information provided on this site is solely at your own risk.

If you are in the United States and think you are having a medical or health
emergency, call your healthcare professional, or 911, immediately.

The COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly evolving. While we are continuously reviewing
and updating our content, some of the information in this article may not
reflect the most up-to-date scientific information. Please visit the online
resources provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the
World Health Organization (WHO) and your local public health department to stay
informed on the latest news, or reach out to Teladoc to speak with one of our
board-certified physicians.


Health, Health Talk, Mental Health, Stress, Therapy and Behavioral Health,
Wellness and Self Care


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