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

[Guest_1643]

That's really cool!
I've heard a splash of peppermint is good in the shower (did someone tell me on the soles of your feet?!) for a refresher
I didn't know that about lavendar.... do u use it around ur house in diff ways? That's nice having the three diffusers, they really are calming.

Sweet orange oil is also my favourite. I wish I had a bath. I hope in my next apartment I will have a bath. It is so relaxing. I used to also use epsom salts in the bath, which I'd buy in Bulk on ebay

[ecomama]

Hey SCers!

Yes we love essential oils here too. I have an oil burner next to my bed with a tea light under it and 3 little Buddhas holding up the glass bowl to add the oil and water too - VERY efficient.

We have 2 others too but different types.

And about 30 bottles of it around the house for different uses.

Lavender is a favourite of mine, I have it growing in my front garden also (and gardenias another favourite lol). My children had Waldorf education for a while and their teachers asked me to bring in lavender from my garden every day for the classrooms. Apparently it promotes sharper senses for learning. It's also know to help induce sleep!

Not sure exactly which the result the kids had in their classrooms lol!

Interesting you mentioned SENSES Blue!
It's a popular grounding exercise to name 5 things you can see, touch, smell, hear, taste if you're having a panic attack or trauma response or such.
GOOD ONES!

My 3 today:
* ate a mango for brekky

* had a nap from 7am till 9am lol, was up EARLY this morning!

* ate a really healthy dinner at Alexa's after helping her move furniture & clean, we also had some deep and meaningful convos that we needed to have.

Love EM

[Guest_4643]

I love Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint, etc aswell. I hate Jasmine and Patchouli though.

I find that I struggle with self care. I know what it is and that it can be literally anything, even the smallest things like taking a shower could be self care. But I don't know what to do for myself. I feel like I've lost interest in everything and I have no motivation even if I force myself. I hate that about me. My meds have done that also but I've heard that's common.

sometimes I colour in but I lose interest in things easily, whether it's new or old things I try. I only go walking daily because I like getting fresh air (apart from when the weather is too hot or something), and I love nature and animals, plus if I don't walk I feel awful physically.

I don't really know what I can do as self care. Everything is different for everyone. I usually just watch music stuff such as concerts on YouTube, documentaries, music videos, ect and just listen to music of course. Sometimes it helps, it can be funny too. And looking at funny videos and memes.

I feel like in a way I neglect my self care, because I think "who cares about me, I feel like nobody else does so why should I?"

[Guest_1643]

hey Tayla wow thats very powerful what you wrote and i felt like that too

when i was very isolated and alone i struggled with self-care and took horrible care of myself

in my own experience when u first do self-care that u haven't done for a while it feels so so weird... but lightly good...it was very odd at first

have u tried any self-care things that u like?

[Guest_1643]

had a chai latte

went for a walk

watched an episode of a show

[ecomama]

Hey darling Tay Tay

I hear you loud and clear! I know Sleepy does too.... because we've been there.
Sleepy was the catalyst for me starting this thread since she introduced me to Kristen Neff and watching her stuff online the first time made me cry.

But I watched it over and over again and THEN I got it!

I was talking with Alexa about this again today (she's studying Psychology and studies ALL sorts around that)... how connections and healthy relationships are so important for us as human beings.

You've had a hard hit over the weekend.
When we've had alot of upset then self-care is even MORE important Tay!

Yes showering is self-care, absolutely it is.
I felt the same "Why bother?" but if we WANT things to change for us then WE have to make the changes.

I found that buying nice smelling things for the shower and bath encouraged me to do this.
Only cheap stuff from Kmart (including face masks and scrubs etc etc).

How about you set THAT one goal?
To have a wash each day.

I'd really like you to investigate applying for NDIS funding to help you.... LATER when the MH professionals return to work you can ask them about it.

Because the thing you talk about is not having IRL connections with others.

Maybe you can search what groups are available to enrol in for free at your local Women's Health Centre?
They have SO MANY groups to attend here and they're AWESOME!

I've been to some and found them so helpful.

I hope you have one nearby.

We have Neighbourhood Centres here too... they're always looking for volunteers for different programs. And I LOVE our Neighbourhood Centre! They welcome ppl with open arms and are so supportive of everyone.

With NDIS funding you may get a support worker to go with you to different places.

But even if you don't, you can do this Tay... make connections by going to things offered in the Community.

Love EM

[Guest_1643]

Hey EM and everyone!

Just remembering as I did this in hospital but you can make a "habit tracker" (if you google it it comes up) like for the month - and then write down list of ur fave self care things and tick them off which ones u did that day

I did that actually when I was quite down. I had a self-care schedule lol.

[Guest_4643]

Hello all.

Sleepy - I'm sorry to hear that. And usually just skincare and buying things I guess.

EM - I shower everyday, usually twice because I sweat so much & I hate it. With the NDIS, I did apply and I sent my Psychiatrist the forms & he scanned them & sent them back. But I was told from the NDIS directly that they don't fund anything him & I both want (work training, social stuff, etc) so I withdrew my claim. There's no groups at the Womens Centre, it's just a Doctors Clinic for Women. I've asked every group here even before COVID and I'm always rejected, why I have no idea. I don't even say I have mental illnesses, I just say I'm lonely and want to get out of the house and make friends. But still rejected, sigh.

Good idea with the app Sleepy

[ecomama]

That's an AWESOME idea Sleepy!

I've never heard of a habit Tracker.

Thanks for the idea.

Hey Tay

Yeah I wasn't talking about training for work. I guess that's up to each of us to make happen.
There may be agencies that can help with that but IDK about them. The Centrelink Social Worker may be able to help point you in the direction of places.

If you have a diagnosis of autism and multiple diagnoses of MH issues, they'd need to be disclosed to apply for NDIS and even maybe to join some groups. IDK.

I'm shocked that you don't have a Women's Health Centre that runs groups... really strange for what we have here. We have female GP you can access there but also tons of groups. The groups I attended were all to do with DV / FV.

Also Neighbourhood Centres as I mentioned before have all sorts of stuff happening here, IDK about there but that's their Core Business to engage community so that's their job!

Volunteering is a GREAT Way to get your foot in the door with any sector that allows volunteers!
You don't need training to begin volunteering. They usually train you if you do. This can all be totally free and a way to engage, make connections, develop professional friendships and NETWORK for future job prospects.

Even a Working With Children's Check is free for volunteers, so you could volunteer in Schools, pre-schools, centres, lots.

I guess you need to decide on WHICH sector you see yourself working in, doing a specific job then think back to where you are now and look at some possible steps to get there.

Like I did to get into my career many moons ago. And had to re-do over and over again between having children.

No one says it will be easy! And no one in particular has to help others get there.
It's really up to us to find ways to work it out.

Persistence, perseverance and patience are really important lol!

EMxxxx

[ecomama]

Hey wonderful self-carers!

Today I:
* slept in

* bought a Chai latte

* came on to the forums.

EMxxxx