When we say "take care of yourself," we're not talking about how to avoid getting in trouble or having problems; we’re talking about how to keep you up and running at your best. This sounds kind of basic, but you’d be surprised how many people ignore these sorts of ideas, or think they aren’t so important when so much else is going on.

Think of self-care as being built on six pillars that help any person be as healthy and happy as possible. These are:

• diet/nutrition
• exercise/physical activity
• sleep
• stress management
• social connections
• fun/joy

    First, you have heard about the food groups and a balanced diet and all that since elementary school. But what you eat can seriously impact how you feel today and not just your long-term health. Eating food that regularly meets all your nutritional needs is important to keeping your body healthy, which helps contribute to positive mental health. But remember that sometimes eating things that you like, even if they aren’t all that good for you, is worth a little sacrifice. So French fries aren’t the most nutritious items in the world, but if you absolutely love them, then once in a while, why not give in? If you’re not eating them every day, and your diet includes other healthy things, then you’ll probably be okay. Moderation is the key. You don’t have to give up everything that is bad for you; instead, use balance and restraint.

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