Three self-care things you did today!

[ecomama]

We can do it BBers, we can do self-care.

Sleepy21 pointed out research that shows self-care REALLY helps!

Please share what you do for self-care so we can get inspiration, ideas and motivation to do it too.

Best wishes
EM

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Blue

I send you a big hug 🤗 

Yes I regularly pair sushi or rice paper rolls with coffee 😂

I’m really glad you had that validation re: ASD with your friend.

I can fully relate to the delayed processing because of just getting through things at the time. I feel that’s the story of my life, but I have recently noticed an increase in processing speed, so getting a little better at it. I think understanding it helps and having others validating your experiences helps too. Because I have a good working relationship with my psych and good co-regulation with her, I have found this has improved my processing in interactions generally. I wonder if you find enough empathic support that you might find these things get a bit easier too? It’s like getting to practice processing in the moment with someone who is getting you.

My self-cares:

1. Did volunteer work this morning. Wasn’t feeling great since waking up but I still enjoyed feeling useful and being amongst others.

2. Was feeling really flat and low at the supermarket, so I took it really slow perusing the aisles and deciding what to buy. I treated it like a meditation as I knew I wasn’t functioning on all cylinders today.

3. Opted for sardines on toast accompanied by lettuce and cucumber for dinner, because it’s easy. Gourmet tucker 😉

[Eagle Ray]

1. Enrolled in a barista course to gain skills and hopefully increase employability.

2. Sat by the river in a shady spot while I did some online searching for job opportunities/possibilities. Sometimes it helps to get out of the house and into a scenic location while doing an online task/activity.

3. Overcame some feelings of hopelessness. Traumatic and stressful events of recent years have really damaged me, and at times I feel like I can’t try anymore. But somehow I got from that space to remembering that I like learning practical skills and know it will be possible for me to do some kind of work even though I have some health limitations. I have lost so much confidence but I have to remember my productive self that has developed competency in the past, and the sense of self-worth that comes from that. I need to be both gentle on myself and hopeful.

[Doolhof]

1/ went for a 10 minute walk and congratulated myself, recognising Covid symptoms were limiting my ability to go further. Took a look around me to appreciate all I could see.

2/ had a snooze in the patio area, listening to the wind in the trees and to the bird song.

3/decided chocolate was not a healthy choice even though I am desiring a burst of energy right now, had fruit, crackers and cheese instead.

[Eagle Ray]

Dear Dools

Hope you are doing ok re: Covid. The snooze and listening to the wind and birds sounds lovely.

Self-cares for me:

1. Started dinner prep early as I tend to be slow and then I’m quite tired before I get to the end.

2. Patted a friendly Labrador who came up to say hello while I was out on a walk.

3. Listened to an interesting podcast.

[mmMekitty]

Hi Dools

I hope you are feeling better soon.

I like your selfcare, most especially the conscious choice to have th fruit, cheese & crackers.

Eagle Ray & Blue, I like how you both are thinking through how what you do for yourself is helping you to cope better. What you are learning are tools you can use in other situations too.

Well done to everyone out there.

Today:

I remembered to do the morning eyedrop I often forget to do. It's something I need to make a greater effort to do every morning.

I spoke up about a couple things my new domestic helper needs to know & do when she comes to my place. If she understands my needs, she can perform her job better, & I can feel confident about her doing the work & therefore relax.

Remembering to drink more water, more often. That's healthy for the body & it's systems.

Hugzies everyone!

mmMekitty

[Doolhof]

Hi Eagle Ray, mmMekitty and all reading,

My Covid symptoms are terrible this morning, mental health taking a nose dive, life feels too difficult.

My plans for the morning:
1: Have a healthy breakfast and drink plenty of water during the day

2: Attempt a short walk if the vertigo and breathlessness allows or find a place to sit in the garden

3: Place my "Things to do when I have no idea what to do" box on the kitchen table, no need to stress about what to do! I just need to open the box and choose an activity!

4: Adding an extra, will write down all the thoughts that are crowding my mind creating a thunderstorm of negativity there.

[Eagle Ray]

Dear Dools, I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with terrible Covid symptoms. And yes it’s really not great when managing mental health symptoms too. Well done for the self-cares you are doing which I’m sure are extra meaningful right now. I really like your “things to do when I have no idea what to do” box. What a great idea! Writing thoughts down on paper can be really helpful too. I really hope you feel much better soon. Take care and rest well.

Dear mmMeKitty, I love your self-cares too. The water one is something I’m trying to remember too. Yes it’s so good for processes in the body.

For me:

1. Downloaded and filled in the BB safety plan app. I found it very helpful and felt better after doing it. Had a rough few days but feeling a bit better now - more aware of ways to support myself, the supportive people I can connect with and the good things around me.

2. Crawled back into bed after being up early to water my garden. Just wasn’t feeling good at all and spent the whole morning crying. But my body said that it could not do anything so I listened. I did feel myself relax more from resting.

3. Went for a late afternoon walk and enjoyed everything I saw - young magpies playing, galahs grazing, a kangaroo also grazing and people playing basketball with their enthusiastic dog joining in. The sun was beautiful shining through the trees.

[mmMekitty]

Hi Dools

I trust you've contacted your GP about having COVID. Please,also allow yourself time to rest more, while you feel unwell. IThose things you are doing are wonderful.

As are Eagle Ray's - isn't it amazing how we can feel in the morning then so differently by the afternoon? I know from experience, when I wake up feeling low enough to think I want to not get up, but go back to sleep & start over later, please! Then by the afternoon, after lunch, usually, I feel so much better I barely remember the morning.

That's what I did today. I slept in, then had a salad lunch.

Then I had a cool shower & feel cleaner & more comfortable in the heat of this afternoon.

& I took some time, hours, in fact, to answer a post, one which is difficult for me, one which needs care & touches on issues close to myself... I think responding to what others say helps me to think more carefully about what I think & feel about the same topic, & how to talk to them - maybe I could talk to myself that way too. What will I say to others that I don't say to myself? There's another good question! 

Hugzies

mmMekitty

[Doolhof]

Hi Eagle Ray and mmMekitty,

Really appreciating the interaction here. Part of my BPD makes me feel like I am drifting away from reality and trying to ground myself and feel in the moment can be difficult. 

Reading how you are helping yourselves with self-care makes me better understand what is achievable when my mind tells me nothing can be done! So thanks so much for sharing!

My self care so far today:

1) I have been for a walk, I am going to share more about that in the "Walking shoes-Walking and other exercise" thread as it is too long winded for here.

2) I've managed two loads of washing, clean sheets tonight, that will be lovely!

3) My things to do box is still on the table and I am thinking what else I can add to it for now regarding lack of energy due to Covid. (The box includes a list of different activities like walking, going to the beach, a picnic in the park, visiting the art gallery, library etc all things a little out of reach for the moment)

[Doolhof]

Hi again mmMekitty,

Thankfully we have a Respiratory Clinic close to us where you can be assisted regarding Covid. I went there for a medical certificate for work. I was also prescribed medications...unfortunately Drs don't realise that medications are not affordable for everyone! I already have unfilled scripts at home for other issues! Two days of work only doesn't cover all the bills.

Looking for work has been put on hold until I am feeling better! Taking care of myself the best way I can.