This is one of those topics that is quite polarizing because of a clash between traditional mindsets and new beliefs.
In one camp, we have strong-willed people who believe that life is tough and everyone should “Suck it up, buttercup”. They feel that being stoic makes you more capable and “hard” to endure and succeed despite the stresses of the world.
In the other camp, there are people who believe that our hectic and stressful lives will create broken individuals if we don’t take time to care for ourselves.
So, who is right?
Both groups are right – because people are different!
There are some men and women who enjoy the tough love and hardcore approach to living life. They don’t want to look weak, and not a thought is given to self-care.
Then there are others who are more sensitive and the constant assault on their senses because of the media, work and family commitments, etc. may cause them to be mentally frazzled.
At times like these, self-care to preserve one’s mental health is crucial to their well-being. Below you’ll find a list of tips to follow.
Not all tips will work for everyone, but you’ll definitely find one that works for you. Give them a try and go with what works best for you.

1. Use Aromatherapy
Diffusing essential oils such as lavender, frankincense or lemongrass will help to create a soothing scent that will help to calm your mind.
Aromatherapy has been shown to have numerous benefits to one’s health. Since it’s a holistic method, not much has been done to study it in detail, but give it a try and see how you feel.
Ultimately, that’s what matters – and if aromatherapy makes you feel happier and calmer, go ahead and use it.

2. Drink a cup of coffee
Coffee has been shown to lift one’s moods. Its antioxidant properties will help to heal your body from within and the caffeine will alleviate depression, if present.

3. Declutter and live minimally
Time to unleash your inner Marie Kondo. Decluttering has a cathartic feel to it. Some people cope better when they have less possessions and more sparse surroundings.
If you feel like thereís too much going on in your life and you feel smothered, you may wish to try decluttering and living a more minimalistic lifestyle. You might discover that less is more and your moods and quality of life improves tremendously.

4. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is about being present instead of constantly worrying about the future. When you’re engaged in a task at work or even having a meal, you’re fully present in the moment.
There’s no multi-tasking or looking at your social media apps repeatedly. Mindfulness helps improve focus and also acts as a dopamine detox that your body might be craving.

5. Disconnect from social media
While social media can be fun, it also has a dark side. It creates a craving for dopamine in your brain. The constant notifications and feedback can be addictive and is not healthy in the long run.
Not to mention the constant barrage of news, negative comments and vitriol from other users that will only rile you up. Disconnecting from social media will do wonders for your mental health.

6. Practice yoga
This may sound cliché but it really works. Yoga’s focus on the mind, body and soul connection will have you breathing deeply and stretching your body.
This movement is good for you and will increase your flexibility by loosening tight muscles.

7. Have an Epsom salt bath
This is as straightforward as it sounds. Give the bath a try and see how you feel.

8. Start journaling
Journaling is a form of stress relief. By expressing your thoughts and emotions on paper, it gives your mind release. Living in your own head can be taxing, if you’re replaying the same events over and over.
By journaling, you’ll experience catharsis and also clarity. You can use this technique to create lists of things to do, goals to achieve and so on. Once it’s in your book and out of your head, you’ll have less thinking to do.

9. Take time for yourself
This is especially true for men who are juggling careers and family commitments. Everyone is always demanding something from you and the constant act of keeping things in order can cause a nervous breakdown.
Sometimes it’s good to take a break and have 30 minutes to an hour for yourself. If your spouse can look after the kids, you may even take the entire day off and spend time on your own.

10. Spend time on grooming
A common symptom of someone who is mentally drained and stressed out is a lack of attention to their appearance. If you look at yourself in the mirror and you look dishevelled and worn out, you’ll feel even worse.
Spend an hour or two grooming yourself. Once your appearance is neat and attractive, you’ll feel a renewed sense of energy. You won’t feel like you’ve neglected yourself.

11. Look ahead
Too often, people look back on their past and rekindle old, negative emotions. Regrets, harsh words exchanged, hurt feelings, etc. that happened before should be left in the past.
It’s time to let go. You may write down what you’re feeling on a piece of paper… and when you’re done, you may burn that paper and as it turns to ashes, that will signify you letting past stay in the past.
There’s no point in carrying the weighty burdens of yesterday into tomorrow. Keep your eyes on the present and look ahead… and forge ahead to a better future.

Apply these self-care tips in your life and you’ll notice that you feel better in a few days. Miracles will not happen overnight, but you will feel a sense of mental relief and you’ll develop a more optimistic outlook on life.