The InVisionary

Back in 2018, National Wellness Month was declared by Live Love Spa to promote and encourage self-care, overall wellness, healthy habits, and stress reduction – all things that can often be taken for granted, especially as we try and balance the priorities of our work and daily lives. Taking care of our health and well-being is a universal commitment that we as human beings understand is necessary to live our best and most meaningful lives.
 
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not just the absence of disease or infirmity.” Mental health and well-being also fall under this umbrella as an essential part of a person’s overall health.
 
According to the National Wellness Month page on National Today’s website, research has shown that self-care can help increase happiness by 71%. Happiness plays a key role in our emotional well-being, and as such, Wellness Month was created to inspire others to focus on their wellness.
 

Wellness and Mental Health

Mental health, as defined by the National Institute of Mental Health, “includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is more than the absence of mental illness – it is essential to your overall health and quality of life.” Within a person’s mental health journey, practicing self-care, reducing stress, and adopting healthy routines can contribute to maintaining a healthy mind and supporting treatment and recovery.
 
“At InVision Behavioral Health, our team of mental health professionals encourage and support the self-care and wellness journeys of each person receiving our services,” Director of InVision Behavioral Health (IBH), Oliver Stedeford, said. “Practicing routine self-care can go a long way in maintaining and reinforcing a healthy lifestyle.”
 

Practicing Self-Care and Healthy Habits

Although National Wellness Month is a great reminder of the importance of practicing self-care and healthy habits, prioritizing overall wellness is crucial all year long. It is important to note that not every act of self-care will be a huge gesture or take up a significant amount of time and/or resources. Starting small and incorporating self-care habits into daily routines can go a long way in supporting a person’s wellness journey.
 
Now that we have a better understanding of health and wellness and the drive behind the Wellness Month movement, let’s dive into some ways you can practice self-care on your own!
 

Healthy Habits

Habits such as eating regularly, proper hydration, getting a good night’s sleep, and positivity play a key role in maintaining physical wellness as well as mental wellness. 
 

Journaling

Taking the time to write in a journal as often as once a day can help greatly with self-awareness and identifying emotions, triggers, and understanding personal responses to difficult situations. Journals are also a great place for self-expression, acknowledging gratitude, and processing life experiences.
 

Exercising/Playing a Sport

According to the WHO, regular physical activity has significant benefits to both physical and mental health. Not only does physical activity help in the prevention of noncommunicable diseases, but it also helps to reduce symptoms seen with depression and anxiety, as well as enhancing brain health and improvement of overall well-being.
 

Spend Time Outdoors

Spending time outdoors is a fantastic way to boost your physical and mental well-being. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a hike in nature, or simply sitting in your backyard, being outside can improve your mood and reduce stress.
 

Social Connection

Staying connected with your social circle, including friends and family, is a great way to contribute to your self-care habits – whether it be through phone calls, video chats, or in-person visits.
 

Hobbies

Participating in your favorite hobbies – such as art, cooking, gardening, photography, and more – is a great way to relax, unwind, and reduce stress. Identifying what we like to do during our free time is one of the many pleasures in life. So, throughout August and beyond, spend some time participating in hobbies you enjoy!
 

Goals

Setting goals is not only a wonderful way to map out the things you would like to accomplish, but also provides a sense of purpose, personal growth, accountability, resilience, and more. Completing goals can lead to feelings of achievement and motivation to continue pursuing life goals!  
 

Therapy

Therapy is an exceptional tool for anyone looking to develop skills that help improve mental and emotional well-being. Whether seeking mental health treatment, or ways to strengthen life skills – such as coping strategies, stress management, communication, and self-awareness – therapy is for everyone.
 
This August, InVision invites you to join us in practicing and promoting wellness as we strive to create a supportive and safe environment for healthy living among the people we support and our team members.
 
For more information about the services provided through IBH, visit the IBH page on our website.