By Jennifer Scott

Do you prioritize your mental health? Incorporating basic self-care practices into a daily routine can greatly impact mental health and overall well-being. Self-care practices include a variety of aspects, from reducing stress and exercising to watching your finances and eating healthy.

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Benefits of Self-Care

Incorporating self-care practices on a daily basis offers many benefits, especially with mental health. Creating a positive routine has a knock-on effect in various aspects of life. Some of the many benefits of self-care include:

• Improved sleep
• A more positive mindset
• Improved immunity
• Decreased chance of stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions
• Strengthened relationships

Mental health affects how individuals think, feel, and act. Self-care is at the heart of nourishing our mental health. If you have an anxiety disorder or other type of mental illness, you can combine traditional treatment (i.e., therapy and/or medication) with self-care practices to help mitigate your symptoms.

How to Practice Self-Care

Practicing self-care may seem daunting at first, but there are several simple ways to improve mental health. Making small adjustments to routine and lifestyle can have a big impact on your overall well-being. Here are a few ways to practice self-care:

• Get enough sleep. Doctors recommend between seven to nine hours each night for adults
• Take time to relax and enjoy hobbies that refuel your energy.
• Reduce stress through meditation, prayer, taking deep breaths, or listening to calm music.
• Say no to commitments that add extra stress.
• Manage your time efficiently.
• Explore natural remedies such as herbal teas.
• Wear comfortable clothes like stretchable leggings, quality footwear, and easy-fitting T-shirts.
• Exercise regularly.
• Follow a healthy diet.
• Be strategic with your spending.

Managing your money, in particular, can reduce significant amounts of stress. Reducing stress allows for better sleep, a healthier immune system, and a better mood.

Managing Your Wallet as a Method of Self-Care

Did you know that approximately 72 percent of Americans admit that money is a major cause of stress? Learning to effectively manage your finances is an important self-care practice that can have positive effects on overall mental health.

Count Your Pennies

There’s a saying that if you look after your pennies, then the pounds will look after themselves. Cutting back on small expenses can have a positive impact on the whole. Small areas to adjust your spending include cooking and eating at home, avoiding online shopping, and canceling unused subscriptions. You’ll be surprised by how much money is spent without thought when it could be used toward paying off debt or eating healthy.

Refinance Your Home

Refinancing your home is a method of decreasing the equity in your home. Doing so frees up cash for spending elsewhere. It also reduces your monthly mortgage payment, allowing you to redirect funds elsewhere. The process involves replacing an existing home loan with a new one. By doing so, the homeowner can enjoy several benefits, such as being able to reduce monthly payments, tap into equity, and pay off the loan faster. Contact multiple lenders to learn more about the cost to refinance.

Create a Strategic Budget

Take the time to set financial goals and steps to achieve them. Track your historical income and expenses and outline a budget. Develop a savings plan and set realistic goals. There are several budgeting apps to introduce accountability.

Being strategic with both short-term and long-term budgets encourages greater confidence. When you’re confident in your financial situation, stress is reduced and mental health is improved.