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

[ecomama]

Nice ones quirky and missep!

Today I:

* bought my hospital prep kit.

* planned a few dinners ahead of time for all of us and bought the ingredients.

* phoned 2 friends I haven't spoken to in ages. It was lovely catching up.

Love EM

[Jstar49]

Hi all,

So funny, my list feels like complete opposite to the trend!

Today I:

Cancelled plans to go to markets

Cancelled plans to go to an art workshop

politely declined a dinner offer- well H declined for us, at the same time as informing his friend what type of 'unwell' I am atm. Not quite sure how thats going to pan out when I bump into them, or their/our friends, down the track... so far so good, but ppl love to gossip!

Anyway, am thoroughly glad with how I spent my day, even doing some random almost mindful sewing in my sewing room- air conditioner cranked! Hot day here, broken by lovely rain this evening.

Completed the day with a great family movie night with my fam! Love these guys! Love you guys!

Cheers,

J*

[Croix]

I started to tackle a paper I've been worried about writing for several weeks (when I'm anxious about a project I tend to leave it to the last minute).

I went for a walk along the riverbank, swollen with recent (and ongoing) rain. Foxy Dog is of course most enthusiastic about these trips. Just about all the wildlife had very sensibly taken shelter for the day, we returned to the car just as the heavy downpour started again. The exercise not only does my body good as I struggle to keep up wiht Mrs C but takes my mind away from normal hassles.

The same applies to going to the movies, which I try and do with Mrs C once a week. Often it is simply the pleasure of each other's company that makes the evening if the film is terible.. We went out tonight and after seeing a lovely Australian fim about someone who faced a great setback dined at our usual Scottish restaurant.

[ecomama]

Hey J*! WONDERFUL self-care things!

Yes, it's great we're listing opposite things as self-care!

The first thing I thought of when I read what you wrote was harking back to our "sea" analogies... 'the tide is going out somewhere and the tide is coming in somewhere' like the ebb and flo of life.

'what kind of unwell' oh brother... 🙄 sighhhh lol.

Hey Croix! SUCH LOVELY SELF-CARING!

This is so nice to read. 😍🥰 that first emoji is you and the next is Mrs C lol.

I love to read that you're having weekly date nights and no haggis! lol.

My self-care:

* am meticulously sticking to the food regime set for me before hospital lol rereading it 50x per day to check lol!

* I didn't think it was possible but BF and I are sharing, listening and allowing ourselves to be more vulnerable with each other more and more. I told him I was feeling really good about life after the many years of stress, he said he noticed and wanted to acknowledge this to me too. He also said that he's never felt closer to any other person before, I feel the same. Now to get through this "time".

* reorganised my new bedroom more and it's feeling better... getting there!

Love EM

[missep123]

Hi everyone!

Today my self care:

1) Went to yum-cha with my family - that was so lovely and definitely made me feel happy

2) Watched Amazing Race with my family

3) Did a face mask

I have been feeling a bit anxious about going back to work tomorrow so I am so glad that I did some self-care to help me

[Jstar49]

Hi all,

That’s a beautiful thought Em, the ebb and flow of life.....

Croix love that you love going to movies withMrs C as much for her company! Have never been to a Scottish restaurant- what do you have? I think it’s Margaret Fulton who attributed her good health to scotch and porridge lol!

my self care today:

surprisingly, enjoying hot chips and prawn cutlets for lunch. One of those cravings!

spent most of today in my sewing room, creating mindlessly! So good! Every time I got all judgemental with my creation I sternly reminded me that this was for relaxation, no stressing allowed. Then put any old fabric in place. It’s going great!

let everyone make their own salad to go with the zucchini slice I made yesterday. Ignored the attempt at a guilt trip. honestly, you’d think it was difficult to throw a salad on a plate!

side question, how do you all talk about bouts of depression etc. I mean with friends, but not close friends? I feel like it’s important to raise awareness, but I also need to protect myself.
cheers

J*

[ecomama]

Hey missep

NICE SELF-CARE!

One of my go-to HINTS for when I felt anxious about going to work then tell you why it seldom ever happens any more after that lol.

May not help you for tomorrow (because you may not check back in tonight) but keep it in your back pack of strategies!

I DRESS UP TO THE NINES.
Fancy dress,
Fancy SHOES,
I might even wear fancy panty hose with patterns in them lol!
Coordinated jewellery,
EVEN get out a fancy handbag,
Decide on how I'll wear my hair,
Get my make up ready.
ARRIVE TO WORK EARLY with a hot cuppa in hand.

When I needed it, I watched Amy Cuddy's "Power poses" Ted Talk.

That's my "armour"!

Now I dress up almost every day, JUST BECAUSE I'M WORTH IT.

I don't "need" the armour any more because anxiety has greatly reduced within me.

HEY J*

Lol I'll let Croix explain his little quip about the Scottish restaurant!
A hint.... there's one on almost every corner here with very distinctive double arches. 😉

Croix might be a Walrus but he's a very cheeky one lol.

Love EM

[missep123]

Hi EM!

Thank you so much for that - I'm sorry that I didn't see it until now but I really relate to what you wrote! When I dress up nicely, do my makeup and make myself do something I really do get pleasantly distracted!

Some self-care things today:

1) Treated myself to some homemade apple pie!

2) My usual coffee (this is going to be a common self-care)

3) Did a hair mask! Feels nice to pamper myself

[ecomama]

That's okay missep! It's in the back pack of Strategies now. Yeah I feel a million bucks when I dress up and don't need ANY reason at all to do so lol.

Nice self-care things!

My self-care:
* had a sleep in

* really got down to my base thinking on my physical health after yesterday, picked a few things apart and bought some beautiful foods for work and home.

* listened to "The Secret" while I scrubbed the toilets and bathrooms lol. Maybe that's ALL self-care IDK but it sure feels good walking in those places now.

Love EM

[Tommys]

My self care was (after a job rejection)

1. Cook a nice home made green Thai curry. Is very easy, cheap and better than the takeaways. I can supply my recipe if anyone is keen

2. Apply for some more jobs (resilience is the key in a tough job market)

3. Staying positive and logging into Beyond Blue to look at some forums