Hand care, skin care, health care, what about self care?
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind? How about a house of cards, one blow from caving in? Thanks to Katy Perry, we’re all aware that feeling like that isn’t exactly the greatest. Luckily, we can help you find some ways to unleash your inner firework.
We’re talking about self-care, which is exactly what it sounds like – any activity that you can do to take care of yourself. What would be the point of that? I don’t have time in my busy schedule for that! I can hear the protests already. Believe us when we tell you that self-care can leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated and the positive effects are too many to list here.
So how do you go about this self-care thing?
Sometimes you just have to…
Interested in learning more, or just want to discuss your self-care activities? Join us here at 8pm AEDT on Monday December 5th for a conversation about all things self-care, or post a reply right now. We look forward to meeting you there!
that reminds me @Ben-RO - sometimes the act of spending a few dollars to buy myself a hot choclate can be a huge act of self-care. for me, it's recognition that i deserve it, and that the world won't fall apart if i spend a little bit of money (contrary to how it sometimes feels!)
@Ben-RO self care goes with strategies for me. Yeah I know what to do, but the pit of darkness that I'm in pulls me further and further away from looking after myself. It's kind of sad really
The struggle is very real at times @loves netball and i think it's awesome that you still have a crack at it anyway. Do you feel guilty if you don't do self-care? I know that a lot of people mention that is a thing for them.
I think this question is a very important one for you to stick around for @loves netball.
You're welcome wherever you would like to be @Sally-RO is just giving you different options for support - I told her to, hope that is okay
What do you do, or what can you do, when you don't have the energy to self-care?
I won't say it's impossible to not have enough energy (or too much energy) for self-care, but I would say that a lot of the time if we don't feel like we can do self-care, it's because we're trying to tackle a kind of self-care that's too big.
When you're energy levels are too low or two high to focus, it's important to pick reaaaaalllly small things and quick wins.
Literally the smallest things you can think of.
Make a cup of tea,
Havea glass of water,
Move from your nest in the bed to a nest on the couch or make a nest outside.
Pet all the pets.
Watch just one funny youtube video,
even smallller if needed
@Ben-RO that's an awesome point about trying to tackle self-care that's too big. In my realllly tough times I find that breaking down basic things like getting out of bed is needed. Sit up, take the doona off, pop my feet on the floor... It sounds ridiculous but sometimes that's all that works 🙂
I have to go now, but this is a great discussion! Looking forward to reading through the rest of it later. Bye guys 🙂
Some great input everyone! I think it's time for the next question, we;ve already touched on this a bit:
How can we ensure we make time for self-care activities when things are busy?
I guess maybe breaking things down. Instead of being like omg I have so much to do I better go make myself dinner, just work up to tginks slowly, move your doona coocoon into the lounge room, then slowly make your way into the kitchen, get yourself a drink, make something really simple
@j95 doona cocoons sound wonderful! 🙂 Breaking things down is definitely a good way to go. Things are easier when you make them into smaller chunks.
For example. I should really start taking some steps to getting myself dinner because I'm getting hungry...
@Alison5 heyyy! 😄
@loves netball maybe it's something you can start doing again? It sounds like an excellent way to plan things! 🙂
I agree with everyone too @Alison5!
What do you do, or what can you do, when you don't have the energy to self-care?
Particularly @j95's point and i know he's getting pretty good at breaking the big things down into small pieces which I think is probably the biggest answer to the question.
You can do pretty much anything if you break things down into small enough pieces, like this guy who ate a whole plane.
If you think you can't do something, most of the time the problem isn't the thing, it's how you're thinking about tackling it.
I am sorry too @loves netball we all care about you lots and think you're an important part of this community I could have phrased things better to make sure it was us offering you alllll the things instead of like we were trying to pull you out of one thing into another thing. I have learned something !
Seems like we're all over that last Q, time for another one then!
Are there instances in which self care isn't so effective? What can you do in these times?
Are there instances in which self care isn't so effective? What can you do in these times?
I think self care is always an important part of our day, but sometimes it alone isn't enough to make everything ok when we're going through a really crappy time. Sometimes we need the help of others or even professional help to get us through these times. It's worth saying though that different types of self care might be more beneficial for different times and situations, so if one thing doesn't work, we can always try another!
@Randomness please come and get them ALL!!
Don't ask for a photo or I will have to do self care
Self care often doesn't work for me when I'm surrounded by darkness and haven't done much self care for a while - that usually means external support is required. For some people that could just be friends and family, but I need neutral people
@loves netball you're right, when things are tough, self care doesn't always work. It's fine to involve neutral outside people. A lot of us find they're helpful, not just because they're neutral but because they're trained and skilled at helping people!
And now for the last question of the night:
What can you do to help others in their self-care?
Ask others what they enjoy, what makes them happy and try to encourage them to find ways to do these things
We're getting to the end of our time. Thanks for all your input and great answers and everyone! Feel free to add more and keep the convo going any of you or anyone reading this!
