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!
I think self-care is something we should do all the time. It's protective against things getting bad and helps us cope better when things do get bad.
I agree @Randomness - self-care can definitely act as a protective factor and better equip us to cope when things get tough. I know for me, if I've engaged in self-care activities like writing a diary etc. then I'm more likely to be able to use other ones like listing things I'm grateful for when I'm in the moment of struggle and need to shift my perspective
For me, some of the things I like to do are going for walks, playing with my dog and having a nice warm bath. And chocolate! Lots of chocolate! 😛 😄
I don't think I've had a bath in years @lokifish - might have to try it! And I hear you about chocolate - what a divine taste!
@letitgo Baths are my favourite thing ever. My parents are building a new house at the moment and the master bathroom is going to have a full-sized bath in it - guess who's never moving out of home? Hahahaha 😄
I was out getting some exercise, it's lucky I was feeling lazy after my shower or I never would of remembered 😛
Now I'm going to catch up!
@N1ghtW1ng showering and exercise are great self care activities, so you are forgiven! 
YAY @N1ghtW1ng 😄 All good - exercise totally fits into the theme of self-care 🙂
Yes pets! I can't have any right now, so I just look them up and visit pet shops periodically and plan for my future pet possession, which fortunately will begin early next year!
@roseisnotaplant gardening seems like a great way of picking yourself up after a tough day! Totally wish I had a green thumb 😛
@roseisnotaplant pulling weeds is something I have done before and it's no worse than milking cows - oh now I miss cows
All the self care that I used to just do without always questioning has become things that I spend all day trying to do e.g. eat, shower etc
@loves netball You bring up a good point, self care can definitely be harder when we're going through a tough time, but it's still super important, so everything we do manage to do is an achievement!
I am admittedly the go at 100 miles an hour person 24/7 until I crash, so self care is something I need to get a lot better at. For me, self care can be small things like watching a movie or funny youtube videos (or anything that makes me laugh will make me feel better!), taking a warm shower, remembering to sleep... or sometimes it helps me to see/talk to friends, go out somewhere, get away, lose myself in the bush or at the beach!
@letitgo always feel free to jump in! 😛 I tend to agree with you - I find that I need to make a conscious effort to practice self-care when things are getting tough
@lokifish do you think the self-care activities you practise unconsciously are overly different to those you practise when things are getting tough?
(In case anyone is reading this and wondering what on earth cutlery has to do with self-care, there's an awesome thread here which you can check out :P)
Heya @j95, great to see you 🙂 I posted a reminder in Hanging Out but it was kinda a last minute thing as we forgot, oops 😛 feel free to join in though!
Loving all your thoughts so far!
The next question we thought it might be good to discuss is this:
What do you do, or what can you do, when you don't have the energy to self-care?
