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

[sbella02]

Dools, wishing you a speedy recovery, hope you're feeling better soon.

mmMekitty, your post reminded me to do my dry-eye spray. I'm obsessed with that thing, my eyes are regrettably glued to screens most of my days so I find myself reaching for it often. A good sleep in and a cool shower must've also felt great! 

Eagle Ray, I'm so proud of you for downloading the BB safety plan app. I'm also proud of you for seeking out professional development opportunities, and also overcoming feelings of hopelessness. 

My self-care activities for today are pretty mild as I'm super tired but:

1. Making pancakes to share between me and my friends this morning
2. Having a nap
3. Doing a load of washing

[Eagle Ray]

Dear Dools, There’s something about clean sheets that feels so good doesn’t it! I hope that helps you keep feeling better re: Covid. It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job managing different things and coming up with ideas for the to do box, even if they can’t all be implemented yet. I know how much you love your walks from the lovely ones you’ve described so I’m glad it’s something you’ve still been able to do. And, yes, meds get expensive don’t they!

And mmMeKitty, it’s very true what you say that as we try to find the words to help others we reflect on ourselves. I realise I often need to do the same thing that I’m suggesting to someone else, or just reflect on my own self-talk tendencies and behaviour patterns.

My self-cares:

1. Went to a cafe to get out of the house and be amongst people and met a friendly person I chatted with.

2. Began the process of cutting back a jasmine vine that was starting to strangle other plants. It’s amazing what plants get up to when you’re not looking. I also practised not trying to do too much in the garden at once, pacing myself.

3. Used the beyond blue safety plan app this morning when I found myself feeling distressed again. It helped.

[Eagle Ray]

P.S. Meant to also say SBella I love your self-cares too. Mention of the pancakes made me feel peckish 😋 

[mmMekitty]

Getting rather late again, but, Dools,  I would like to suggest asking people like the GP, even the Pharmacist, maybe charities like Lifeline, Salvos, St Vinnies, or perhaps there is something the Government (State or Commonwealth) might be able to do to help but that may not be quickly anyway.... but yeah, I'd explain to Services Australia/Centrelink where your finances are at & that you can't get the medications you need. I believe ther is still support for people in financial distress due to COVID.

*

My self-care today was everything to do with keeping myself cool.

Eating salad included. Still drinking lots of water.

& by the way, I do believe another pathologist who once took a bit of my blood for tests, was right - having lots of water in the days before this recent test may well have led to a much smaller bruise than I've had following other times.

Although it's getting so late, I am going to have a cool shower, because it's so very warm still, tonight, to help me get to sleep.

Good work everyone!

Hugzies

mmMekitty

[Doolhof]

Self care today:

- another walk and snooze already this morning amongst the bushes lying upon abundant soft dry grass wrapped up in a sheet

- asked someone to gather me more reading material from the library when he goes out today

-have my notebook ready to write down stuff that is messing with my head.

mmMekitty, as my partner and I earnt more money over Christmas due to his extra shifts, and my public holiday pay we have not been eligible for a Centrelink Health Care Card. It doesn't matter those payments are one offs, they still throw out the balance and we have to try again in another 8 weeks apparently! Due to Covid and being casual he receives no money from anyone when he doesn't work.

[sbella02]

Dools, what are you reading at the moment? I've just started several new books as I'm trying to get back into reading this year, and I'm always open to recommendations.

Today's self-care:

1. Birthday preparations 🙂
2. Having a homemade apple and cinnamon muffin for breakfast this morning (because YUM)
3. Coming on Beyond Blue and seeing everyone's self-care activities, it really warms my heart

SB

[Doolhof]

Hi sbella02,

If you are making preparations for your own Birthday, then Happy Birthday to you. If they are for someone else, hope you gain great pleasure in organising things for them.

Regarding books, I have no favourite authors. I am the person who goes to the library, looks at the books the librarian has placed on display and see if any of the titles or designs catch my attention! Or I randomly go to the A section of fiction writers, select a book from there, go to L perhaps and choose one from there. Next time I choose a different letter of the alphabet.

As part of my self care at present, reading helps to shut down the unwanted thoughts tumbling arounfd in my mind that I don't know how to process right now.

I've also been going back reading some self help books I have.

I do like to read books about other cultures, people's travels or stories about animals. I don't do well with books that write about mistreatment, cruelty and malice. 

Another part of my self care is to stop reading a book I am not enjoying. Hope you find some books you are interested in.

[Eagle Ray]

Hi All

Enjoying reading the self-cares.

mmMeKitty, it took me a while to learn to drink enough water before blood tests. They’d have trouble getting any blood out of me sometimes. Now I drink plenty and the blood flows and less bruising like you say. Plus in cold weather I make sure I keep a warm jacket/jumper on right up until they take it.

For me today:

1. Sat in a peaceful spot under paperback trees by the river.

2. Slept on my couch when I could feel sleep overcoming me.

3. Spoke with my psychologist who is so helpful, kind and supportive.

[Doolhof]

Hi all

One of my self care things yesterday was to vacuum the house and then rest after due to Covid breathlessness.

I then left the vacuum cleaner where it was instead of trying to fight the darn thing into releasing the full vacuum cleaner bag! 

I sat down and read a book for a while instead of being flustered the vacuum cleaner had won round one of trying to change the bag!

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Dools

Sometimes those darned appliances just need to be left alone for a while don’t they! Abandoning it and reading a book sounds like a very good self-care initiative. I hope the Covid is easing and over soon. Take it easy and rest well.

My day was about abandonment too. I should have stayed in bed as had migraine emerging on waking. So self-care was kind of remedial based on trying to do things I wasn’t up for.

1. Cannot get pathology test booking in local town for few days so drive half hour to nearby town where I’m told I don’t need appointment. Wait 45 minutes in waiting room during which migraine and nausea become bad. Just hanging in there to do blood test. Even though pathologist sees me on arrival only tells me at 45 minutes she has people now with appointments and can’t fit me in. On verge of collapse I sit on curb in nearby car park and cry. Get myself together enough to phone home town and book appointment there. I think self-care was letting myself cry.

2. Collapse in park. Realise cannot do volunteer work shift today. Self-care is calling them and cancelling shift.

3. After few hours able to drive again. Go to pick up supplements from health centre. They’re at lunch. No one there. Self-care is not waiting for them to return as just feel too ill. Drive home.

So failed to achieve the day’s objectives. Self-care lesson: if you feel terrible just stay in bed.