"64 Ideas For Self Care" ~ What Would You Add?

[EmmaOwl]

If all else fails I will play The Sims game

I try to do that, and then I get depressed. I am completely un-creative and only try to make a normal family happy. Then I think, "This is weird, here I am playing a normal happy family when I do not have a normal happy family." And then I get depressed.
Do you have any other fun suggestions for Sims 3? honestly, I'd really love to know anything for that!
(I've got The Sims 4 also but I don't play it much. but if you have suggestions for that one, I'd take it :- ) Thanks for any help. It sounds like a stupid thing but honestly, since I cannot work and I am extremely isolated, I am always on the lookout for new, non-stressful ways to spend my time.

 

[EmmaOwl]

Buy something! If it's not going to get you in big trouble like something that requires financing, just...

Coco: My latest amazon purchase was a drop spindle.

What is a drop spindle, you ask? Or maybe you don't ask, but I will tell you anyway ;)

It's a little wooden handle that allows you to take..fuzz, fiber, and turn it into yarn.

A friend of mine said, "But, what for? You don't use yarn." I said: "That's not the point!!" You know, it was something like 10 bucks and I am lucky to afford that at the time, and it made me happy.! Or happy-er, at least. I'll take what I can get. :)

Sometimes I compare things to the movies:
"This is less than it would cost to go to the movies, and it will provide me at least 2 hours of entertainment. So it is cost-effective."

Not that I go to the full-priced movies a whole lot, but it is something - well heck I pay a lot more than that for an hour of therapy! So I should put it into my "mental-healthcare budget"! I wonder if I can deduct it from my taxes...

Sorry, being silly.
I haven't tried it yet. I always think I will like crafts, but I am so bad at most of them. But again, a couple hours of entertainment, and it's worth it to me. In my world, this absolutely falls into the category of self-care.

Unfortunately, clutter then becomes a problem.
But, like everyone here, I do the best I can.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

simply leaving the house can damage my physical health to the point of an infection

Why? If thats too personal i understand. Was just wondering if theres a way that you can saftely go outside?

reading and posting on this board is definitely on the list - other than here, I have no support from anyone except my parents and my therapist.

I also have no support other than my therapist and reading and posting and interacting here has helped me leap foward in healing. My therapist found the site and he loves that im on it. It certianly is a huge positive in my life!

I am going to check that list and highlight things I can do from home, and that won't flare up pain

I understand pain well. I have a morphine pump inside me so I get it. Its hard to find constructive things to do but something as a self pedicure and manicure and a self "spa" day is self care. Something to be kind to yourself!

Sims 3

I stopped playing Sims because personally its a way for me to disassociate and have a "happy family" and that is distracting from reality. Its not constructive. Its not bad. I disassociate into shows for that reason. Think up a full movie in my head of a loving family in order to go to sleep, so it has its place but i dont see anything that takes you out of reality to be constructive. Just my opinion and experience and my therapist's opinion based on my experience. Your milage may vary.

 

[Sideways]

Great list - different levels of motivation required for the tasks which accommodates varying levels of depression.

When I'm super depressed, motivation hits rock bottom. So I start really basic: take 5 to rub scented moisturiser into my feet. I can do that without getting out of bed if need be, and relaxing the feet really kick atarts my whole-body relaxation without having to focus on a relaxation or meditation session. It's also hard not to slip into a few moments of mindfulness doing that, and you can do it over, and over, and over...!

 

[Poofycat]

Jigsaw puzzle!
Being outside.
Buying myself flowers (or picking flowers and putting them in a vase)
Playing with my pets
Folding laundry (no idea why this is relaxing but it is)
Shelling fava beans (so meditative, too bad they have a short season)
Acupuncture or massage
Baking

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Thank you @Poofycat! That's anwesome list!

 

[lostforgottensoul]

So I start really basic: take 5 to rub scented moisturiser into my feet. I can do that without getting out of bed if need be, and relaxing the feet really kick atarts my whole-body relaxation without having to focus on a relaxation or meditation session. It's also hard not to slip into a few moments of mindfulness doing that, and you can do it over, and over, and over...!

Yeah, someone else mentioned sented moisturizer. I want to take a trip to Bath and Body Works. I have some nice body sprays from there but not the lotion.

 

[NatBird]

-- finding ways to connect with nature: walking barefooted, watching the trees, noticing all elements at play

-- gratitude list or meditation. Taking time to reflect and appreciate what's good.

-- saying Yes

-- washing hair

-- eating well

-- bath

 

[lostforgottensoul]

finding ways to connect with nature: walking barefooted, watching the trees, noticing all elements at play

My therapist has said many times that nature heals. I didnt get that until I saw Louie Schwartzberg on Super Soul Sunday with Oprah. Then I got it.

https://youtu.be/MQiszdkOwuU

He makes the most beautiful time lapse photography videos Ive ever seen. He has a TON of TED talks too but just his Moving Art videos are amazing!

Graditude is one of my favs:

https://youtu.be/4115qFsdWKQ

 

[sun seeker]

I'm reading through this list and it's funny, anything that mentions physically taking care of the body, even buying new clothes, gets a big "no" reaction today. I'm feeling shamed and socially rejected, and that translates into walking with my head down, wanting no one to notice me.

 

[Sideways]

@sun seeker - I'm so sorry about how hard things are for you right now, and I'm hoping it starts to ease up soon.

But you reminded me of something that I learned the hard way about self-soothing over the last couple of months: it's actually kinder to yourself sometimes not to force the self-soothing, and if a self-soothing activity is bringing up too much pain, drop it, and go for something easier.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

it's actually kinder to yourself sometimes not to force the self-soothing, and if a self-soothing activity is bringing up too much pain, drop it, and go for something easier.

I agree with both. If self soothing is frustrating, its the opposite of soothing.

I remember when I first got my DBT book and could not for the life of me self soothe. My therapist just encourged "keep trying" and it took me like a month to realize i was un-soothing myself. I took it much more casual after and soon it then started to work. I had to not do it like my life depends on it lol.