If you live with limited mobility, it is common to face some mental health struggles. Behaviors and limitations in daily life can trigger a variety of mental stressors. That is where a little self-care can help. Self-care is possible even if you have limited mobility.
Importance of Self-Care and Mental Health
Self-care can help you manage stress, reduce the risk of illness, and increase your energy. Research reveals even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a long-lasting impact on your physical and mental health.
Five Accessible Self-Care Tips to Get You Started
1.Embrace Regular Exercise
Exercise, even when you have limited mobility, is integral to a healthy lifestyle. When you engage in physical exercise, your body releases endorphins, the feel-good hormones that help boost your self-esteem and relieve stress.
There are many exercises designed for people with differing ability levels. Some accessible exercises that accommodate your situation include chair exercises, lifting weights, and hydrotherapy classes.
You can try resistance bands to help build muscles and even improve mobility for extended periods. For these exercises, you might need assistive devices such as a rolling walker, a walking cane, footpads, or post-op shoes.
If you need to work out while seated, try an exercise peddler to get your heart pumping. Before choosing any exercise, talk with your doctor about what will work best for your needs.
2. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Combining exercise with a good diet is key to feeling good about yourself. Ensure you drink plenty of water each day, eat lots of vegetables and fruits, and include healthy proteins in your diet to keep you feeling full for longer.
If necessary, you can also use food supplements and other nutritional’s to ensure you get all your essential nutrients.
3. Get Adequate Sleep
Adequate sleep allows your mind and body to feel rejuvenated after a long day. Going to bed early to get your rest can help lower your blood pressure, manage stress, and relax. If you are struggling with a sleep routine, there are a few products that may help, such as melatonin, which can make it easier to fall asleep.
4. Stay Social
If you have limited mobility, it is common to feel isolated and misunderstood, especially when adjusting to a new way of life. Unfortunately, loneliness may trigger a horde of problems, such as disrupted sleep, anxiety, and depression.
Whenever possible, create time to interact with friends and family. Cultivating good social support through friends or family will help alleviate feelings of loneliness and improve your well-being.
5. Take the Occasional Vacation or Just Get Outside
Even with limited mobility, you can still enjoy the world around you. Leverage lightweight wheelchairs and travel walkers to regain a sense of freedom, get outside, and enjoy nature.
Simply Medical can help you meet your self-care needs
Self-care can help you live well and improve your physical and mental health. At Simply Medical, we understand the need to embrace the best self-care practices to boost your overall health. We provide high-quality mobility and orthopedics products that enhance your self-care efforts. Visit Simply Medical to learn more.