How often do you put yourself first?  Are you doing “the basics” to keep yourself healthy – mentally and physically? Here are some words of wisdom, from Brad Krause, on some overlooked but simple practices of self-care that we can all do to improve our mental and physical health.

Self-care is more than a passing trend or fad destined to be replaced by the next big thing. It’s a vital form of caring for our mental health and overall well-being. Here is how you can see to your own self-care daily and give yourself the support you deserve.

Often Overlooked Basics

 It’s impossible to feel at your best when you are not meeting your basic needs. Often, those are the first things we sacrifice to make more time for what we see as necessities: work, going out, etc. We cut out sleep to get up early for work. We delay going to bed to spend time with those we love. We skip meals because it’s easier than cooking ahead. We reach for caffeinated drinks to keep us going instead of water. While you don’t need to carry a gallon jug of water with you, it’s important to meet the minimum. Every person needs a different amount, so find what feels right for your body. While you shouldn’t cut all the fun from your diet, it’s important to eat plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit, and whole grains. Protein is important, so make sure you’re getting the right kind for what your body needs. Prioritize getting enough sleep, as a lack of sleep can lead to disease, obesity, and diminished mental capacity. To feel your best and see to your mental health, eat well, drink water, and get at least seven hours of sleep a night.

Put Yourself First

You are the only person who can truly look after yourself, and this is especially true if you suffer from a mental illness or substance addiction. To fully practice good mental health, learn how to put yourself first. Take time daily to unwind and relax, whether that’s doing some yoga poses in the backyard or spending time with your favorite hobby. Everyone finds different things relaxing. Some enjoy lighting aromatic candles, while others practice mantras or exercise. Employ whatever method reduces your overall stress. When you feel anxiety, it is important to have practices established than to only use them when you need them in the moment. If you have techniques in place, they will be easier to use when you need them.

Meditation is one excellent way to regain control of our thoughts and emotional states. Having a specific place in the home to meditate is a good way to associate that place with relaxation and put yourself in a meditative state quickly. It is also important to learn to separate ourselves from others. It can be hard to say “no” those in our life, but sometimes it’s the only sensible thing to do. If you are asked to make commitments that cut into your personal time, it’s okay to say no. In doing so, we can better see to our own emotional and mental well-being.

Reduce Stress at Home

While we cannot control our external environments, we can make our homes into our sanctuaries. There is enough stress at work and in the world. Your home should be a place of refuge where you can relax and unwind at your own leisure. One way to do that is to make your home look joyous. Pick your favorite colors and place them around the home in the form of accent pillows, blankets, or kitchenware. Even bunches of flowers can bring more life and joy to your home. Keeping your home clutter-free is a great way to remove any unnecessary tension. Pick up the things that accumulate and put them away, including things like your keys, bags, or shoes. Make your bedroom feel luxurious by investing in good sheets and pillows. Again, a good night’s sleep goes a long way to looking after our mental well-being. If possible, keep phones and tablets out of the bedroom; as you have a dedicated space for meditation, make a dedicated space for technology. It becomes easier to remove yourself from the tech mindset if it stays in one part of your home and you go to another.

There are many ways you can make self-care work for you. Invest in daily practices like meditation and relaxation while seeing that your basic needs are met. You may be shocked by how dramatically your mental health improves with only a few changes.