- Experts point out the importance of dedicating time to identifying our emotions, leisure, sports, relaxing and taking care of our diet. “We live so stressed that, when we try to relax, we don't know”
- They assure that it helps you know yourself more and better, make good decisions, improve self-esteem and learn to make resignations.
Mental Health Specialists of the health group Ribera They demand that self-care be a priority “and not something to apply after an endless list of tasks that we have to do,” as explained by Cristina Fanjul, a hospital psychologist. Ribera Povisa. “Self-care is essential because it is at the basis of our physical and emotional well-being; “It is not a luxury, it is health,” he adds. In fact, for Natalia Hernández Mulero, psychologist from Practitioner, a subsidiary of the health group in Cartagena, self-care "helps us control stress, have more energy, be more motivated or in a better mood, and even reduce the risk of contracting diseases."
In the context of Mental Health Day, which this year has as its motto “Our Mental Health, our rights”, the team of psychologists from Ribera Polusa- Santo Domingo Clinics Remember that self-care facilitates one's own well-being, but also relationships with the environment. “It is a tool that promotes self-knowledge, self-regulation and well-being and this has a positive impact on mood and interpersonal relationships, with a greater number of positive interactions, helps to increase performance and productivity and, in general, enables , better health.” Along the same lines, the hospital psychologist Virgin of Charity RiverMaria Carmen Cascales, assures that when one's own balance, social relationships and work are affected, "it is necessary to look for alternatives that allow us to restructure thoughts and emotions in order to restore that inner balance, for the benefit of good mental health. ”.
Regarding how to learn or improve self-care, psychologist Natalia Hernández Mulero remembers the importance of “listening to ourselves, making time for the activities we like, learning to identify our emotions, dedicating time to leisure, physical self-care, exercise, relax and take care of our diet.” “We live stressed, running from one place to another, and we are so used to 'overthinking' that, when we try to relax, we don't know how to do it,” she says, while remembering how a healthy diet and physical exercise influence our mental health. . “All our organs are connected to the brain through a network of neurons, but especially the digestive system,” he explains, and explains that with physical activity “hormones associated with well-being are released and we produce neurotrophins, which are proteins that protect neurons and create new neuronal connections.”
Hobbies, sports and healthy eating
For the team of psychologists at Ribera Polusa-Clínicas Santo Domingo, it is also key to establish and care for positive personal relationships, organize tasks, establish vital objectives and goals realistically, and carry out pleasant activities. “It is never too late to learn something new or take up a hobby that had been abandoned,” they say.
Cristina Fanjul, psychologist at the Ribera Povisa hospital, remembers that self-care “depends on oneself, it is not something we can delegate” and that is why she encourages patients to analyze the activities that contribute to their physical and emotional well-being. “Sport works for some people, but painting, listening to music, walking, reading or taking care of a pet are other activities that can make you feel good about yourself. It's a matter of trying and discovering what works best for each person,” she adds. Among the ways to work on self-care, the team of psychologists at Ribera Polusa points out, in addition to what has already been mentioned, making small changes in our daily routine and reviewing the “internal dialogue.” “If it is excessively critical in terms of frequency and intensity, or limits or damages us on many occasions, it may be necessary to seek professional help,” they point out.
Among the benefits of proper self-care, Fanjul highlights that it allows “you to know yourself more and better, improves decision-making based on your own needs, promotes self-esteem and teaches us to make sacrifices and set limits, to say no when something or someone It makes us suffer.” The Ribera Polusa psychologists highlight that improving self-care “strengthens resilience and helps us face challenges with confidence and in a constructive way.” Maria Carmen Cascales, psychologist from Ribera Virgen de la Caridad, also speaks along these lines. “As long as we approach our daily life from the perspective of self-care and adopt it as a lifestyle, we will be generating an emotional balance that will allow us to face, accept and cope with life's challenges, allowing us a healthy adaptation to the circumstances that arise.”
