Shhh...

Mental illness takes a toll on your body, there’s no denying it. There’s also no denying that some of the damage done to your body by prolonged mental health issues is irreversible, and most takes months or even years to reverse and repair. 

So when I say ‘how to unfuck your body in a few days’, what I mean is ‘how to make your body feel better and give it a chance to even start healing in a few days’…. but that’s not half as catchy. So, full disclosure here - there is no easy path out of a deep dark hole. If your mental health problems have caused you to gain or lose huge amounts of weight, reversing this will take time, if your mental health problems have caused your teeth serious damage there may be no way to reverse it. 

But what we can do is make your body feel a little more like home again, soothe some aches and pains, and prevent more damage. Here’s my advice. 

So, You’ve Stopped Caring for Your Body - Daily Tasks to Begin Healing

We’ve all been there, my friend, and its a shitty place to be. In this place, here, right now, however, there’s no judgement. If you’re reading this, its because you’re getting ready to start showing yourself some care again, or maybe because you’ve reached the end of your tether and you don’t know what else to do. 

If you feel that lost, taking a little better care of your meat prison isn’t the worst idea in the world. Remember, no matter how at odds you are with your mind, your body is your friend and they deserve praise, not punishment. There are two main steps that you need to think about here: medical care and basic care.

If you’ve been ill for a long time, there’s a chance that your body isn’t as healthy as it should be. Take a deep breath, survey the damage. Long-term, chronic depression can lead to issues like gingivitis (that’s gum disease to those with limited exposure to affordable medical and dental care), bed sores, infections of the scalp and skin, hair loss, and even things like IBS. 

Most of the more serious things will require medical care, but if you can’t afford it here are some basic tips that might help. 

1. Clean Sores and Wounds

Wash your hands and nails thoroughly and then clean any areas with open sores or wounds on your body. If you don’t have antibacterial washes or creams, boil some water and add salt so that roughly a quarter of the volume is salt. If that’s too complex, boil a mug of water and put two heaping teaspoons in it (that’s not what’s recommended, but its what I do and I find it effective). 

Any open wounds and sores should be kept clean - cover them when you’re outside or if it is likely to come into contact with fabric and surfaces that could introduce infection, but letting it dry a little in the air can be a good idea. If you have serious concerns about a wound, seek medical advice. 

2. Wash Your Body and Hair (Do This Every Second or Third Day at Least)

A good shower or bath will be better for your nerves and mind, but if you really can’t face it get a clean wash cloth and wash your face, neck, underarms, groin, and feet at the very least. Once you’re done give any undamaged skin a vigorous rub with a clean, dry towel to soak up some grease and dislodge dirt and dead skin. 

Likewise with your hair - if you can’t quite bring yourself to undertake a full shampoo and condition at least massage your scalp with warm water and brush it through your hair before scrunching with a towel. Once again, a full wash in a shower or bath would be best, but anything worth doing is worth starting - do your best. 

3. Brush Your Teeth

Gently, with warm water and toothpaste. Take your time, brush your tongue too, and try not to upset your gums if they are already inflamed. If you don’t have mouthwash, gargle with salt water. 

4. Moisturize

This isn’t frivolous - your skin and hair need oils to protect them. A plain, unscented moisturizer, or even a light oil like coconut oil (which can go on hair and skin) will do. This might feel and look greasy at first, but we’re talking about healing your body and hair, not making them photoshoot ready. 

Let them soak in and put on clean, loose clothes that let your body breath. Take a deep breath. 

5. Drink Some Water, Eat Something Fresh

Yes, fresh food isn’t always accessible, but when you’re pulling yourself out of a rut its worth the effort to find some fresh fruit that you enjoy. Hell even a bowl of oatmeal or porridge and a glass of milk will do. Your body is probably crying out for vitamins and minerals, and whether you realize it or not, processed food can make you feel like crap. 

In short, find the least processed, most accessible meal you can and have it with some water. Whether thats a fresh cooked dinner or a few apples and a handful of cheese, just leave the pop tarts and takeout food alone. 

6. Kill Your Pain, Get a Nap

I know you feel like all you’ve done is sleep (unless you’re an unlucky insomniac), but Depressed Sleep is not Good Sleep. Take a few painkillers if you need them and rest for an hour or two every day until you start to recover. Even if you can’t sleep, rest. Go easy on your body - give it peace and comfort. 

If you do this, you should notice that your body begins to health and recover over the next week or so. If it doesn’t, you may need to seek medical care. Serious infections or medical fatigue really aren’t the kind of thing you should treat alone. 

realize that there are no monsters under our beds but across the hall,

down the street. Everywhere. We grow up and see how cruel humans

are. we fear going out alone as if there are clawed beings out there. But

the true fear is the man smoking a cigarette following our trail with a

jagged toothed smirk. A key grasped ever so tightly in between your

finger's hands shaking so fast. fear so intense you can feel in in your

throat as if a snake had slithered its way down your gullet. monsters

are not hideous creatures who linger in the dark. The real monsters are

disguised with a friendly smile only to turn into a vicious smirk when

alone