Self-care for behavioral health
Behavioral health means how we feel and think. It's about our emotions and thoughts. Taking care of it is important for everyone, no matter how old you are. When our mental health isn't great, it can make us feel, think and act differently. It can even impact our bodies!
Self-care tips
Taking care of yourself means doing things to keep your body and mind healthy. When you do this, you're making sure you feel good and have a better life. Here are some tips from EOCCO that we really like:
Good sleep
Sticking to a bedtime and getting your 8 hours of sleep will work wonders on your mood and mental health. Your brain works better when you sleep well. Not getting enough sleep can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity and depression.
Sleep tip: Blue light from your phones, computers and TVs can make it harder to sleep. Try turning off your electronics at least 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime.
Healthy eating
Eating healthy food and drinking lots of water helps you stay focused and full of energy during the day. Try not to drink too many beverages with caffeine, like soda, tea or coffee.
Alcohol and stress
A healthy diet can still involve alcohol, but if you find yourself reaching for alcohol in times of stress, this may be a sign of a bigger issue. Using alcohol regularly, even just a little, can make you feel more stressed or anxious. This can make managing stress even harder.
If you're concerned about how much you drink, try figuring out what makes you want to drink and see if there are other things you can do instead. For example, if you have a habit of drinking before bed, try drinking sparkling water or a mocktail instead. If you notice you're drinking more than you'd like when you're with friends, consider bringing a friend who will drink at a slower pace with you, or plan activities that don't involve alcohol.
It can be helpful to track how many drinks you’ve had during the week to see if you are drinking more than you want. If you have trouble with stopping drinking and find yourself feeling physically or mentally worse without alcohol (inability to sleep, increased anxiety, etc.), it may be time to reach out to your primary care provider for additional resources.
Regular exercise
Even small bits of exercise can make a big difference! Moving your body can give you more energy and make you feel better.
Breathing exercises
One simple way to deal with stress is by breathing deeply. It's easy, and you can do it anywhere! Deep breathing can help calm down our body by lowering our heart rate and blood pressure.
Try the 4-7-8 breathing trick: breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 7, and then breathe out for 8. It can really help when you're feeling stressed out.
Resources
It's okay to ask for help when stress feels too big to handle alone. You're not alone! There are people and services that can help you manage stress in a healthy way. Talk to your doctor or check out EOCCO's behavioral health services if you need support. Your well-being is important.
Did you know EOCCO offers behavioral health services? You can receive this care right in your primary care clinic, and you don't need pre-approval to access these services. Visit www.eocco.com/eocco-provider-search/ to find a provider.
You can reach the EOCCO team by phone at 888-788-9821 or email us at EOCCOmedical@eocco.com. Our regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (PST).
