Often, the words “self-care,” “self-intervention,” and “self-help” conjure the image of cucumber-slice-covered eyes or a warm, long bath. However, the meaning of these words goes much deeper, particularly the word self-intervention.
Nurturing yourself involves understanding the physical and emotional aspects of your body. For instance, if you want to practice meditation but are not getting enough sleep, chances are that you might doze off while you try to meditate. This happens because you aren’t listening to your body’s need for sleep. Additionally, hitting the gym once in a blue moon day won’t result in much stress relief unless you choose to pamper your body with a diet and regular workouts.
So, what exactly should you do?
Here are four different self-intervention practices to incorporate into your everyday life.
1) Stress Management
Modern life is busy and stressful so it is hard not to feel overwhelmed once in a while. Between juggling family, work, and other commitments, it is easy to get stressed out, which, when not treated, can lead to anxiety, panic attacks, and more. So, it is essential to learn how to set boundaries and say no.
Stress management exercises can be as simple as getting to places a little early to avoid the stress of being late, switching to the slow lane on the highway to avoid the rage, or breaking your bigger tasks into smaller ones.
If you don’t set time aside to unwind, both your mental and physical health can suffer. So, find small ways to slow down and chill out, and take your time for relaxation.
2) Relaxation Techniques
It is essential you set aside a little time in your everyday life for relaxation. Relaxation techniques can be meditating, exercising, going out for a stroll, or doing things you love.
Working out regularly is one of the most efficient ways to relax your body and mind. Additionally, exercise has also been found to improve your mood. However, you have to be consistent to experience the results. Ideally, you should perform moderately intense exercises for up to 2 hours and 30 minutes, brisk walks of 75 minutes, or more vigorous exercises like jogging, swimming, or other sports every week. It would help to set fitness goals and meet them so you don’t give up halfway. Additionally, remember that doing some exercise is better than none at all.
When you feel stressed out, find solutions on your own like stretching, meditating, reading a motivational book, or taking a hot bath or shower.
3) Sleep Schedule
Sleep care is an integral part of self-intervention. The amount and quality of sleep you enjoy every night can impact your immune system function, heart function, mood, memory, and other aspects of your health. For this reason, it is important you set a consistent sleep schedule and stick to it.
Start by setting a wake-up time, a wind-down time, and a bedtime. This means you wake up at a fixed time every morning, go to bed at the same time every night, and have a time you plan to fall asleep. A healthy sleep routine is vital for your circadian rhythm—the natural cycle your body follows to regulate your sleep and wake cycle. A tip to stick to your sleep schedule is to keep your alarm clock, phone, tablet, and other electronic devices on the other side of your bedroom. This will help you avoid any distractions.
4) Socialization
Socialization is a psychological intervention that is quite flexible and straightforward. It involves surrounding yourself with people who support you and encourage you to be better.
People suffering from mental illnesses or addictions might find it hard to open up to others, even those closest to them. Furthermore, the stigma associated with such health issues makes it even harder for individuals to speak up and ask for help.
The best thing to do is join a support group like a drug rebound rehab service in South Florida. They can bridge the gap by offering a safe space for mutual support through shared experiences. Such groups often come with forums where people can talk about their difficulties living with an illness, addiction, or something else to receive advice or support from caregivers and people with similar experiences.
Get Started Towards A Better Life
Your daily life can be demanding and depending on your challenges, the type of self-intervention practices you need the most can vary. So, create a plan for yourself based on your unique situation and challenges. Lastly, make sure you stick to the plan. Take small steps every day, and you will sooner or later be living a better life.
