Self Care In General

[izmo]

Hello there :) I am new to this forum. (Waves)

I have had PTSD and flashbacks for a certain period of time in my life, and I made a resolve at present to be more gentler with myself or at least more caring in general towards myself. In the past I used to push myself too much. Here are some things in terms of self care/ general pastime things that I have been attempting to do more of:

1) I try to remember the mantra,'' This is year 2014. I am not in such and such place anymore'' when experiencing a bad flashback.
2) I listen to soothing sounds..fireplace sounds on the net help.. also, underwater and dolphin sounds help a lot and actually helps me with my sleeping at times
3) I play games that I enjoy on my brother's xbox
4) I look for more self care resources
5) I try to remind myself to be gentler, as I deserve it

Anyway I think there was a bit more, but I'll leave it at that for now. Does anyone else relate? What self care routines/tips could you share, relating to yourself if you can? :)

 

[NewDayTomorrow]

Go for a nature walk, and let your mind wander, or play with a friend's pet if you know one.

 

[franciemarnie]

This year during meditative sessions, I have spent a lot of time talking compassionately to younger parts of me who split off in trauma. Telling them - as if they were separate - that what happened was wrong. And visualizing me as an adult stepping back in time to the situation and putting things right.

I also started talking to my body trying to understand why it's holding so much disconcerting energy in certain areas. It has actually - on occasion - responded with sort of 3D images of what's happening. Like I will see myself suddenly in my
mind's eye super long and thin - "stretched too thin".

I treat my body so much nicer now and, though anthropomorphizing body parts sounds ludicrous, it has somehow helped me be kinder and gentler to myself versus running it and me roughshod thru life as if we didn't feel. (And for a long time we didn't.)

Singing to myself is soothing.

I spent a couple months coloring pictures in my p.j.'s watching old movies before sleep last year. That was nice.

Walking in nature is always good.

Going to an energy healer has been great and very comforting.

Showers make me feel light afterwards.

Contact with pleasant animals.

And always and everywhere - music music music.

 

[izmo]

Thank you so much for the responses! :)

 

[Spiderallis]

Excellent ideas, self care is important stuff. I know when I really it, I have a hard time coming up with how to be nicer to me.

A long soak in the bath is helpful, so I picked out nicely scented bath stuff. There's a really good thread about aromatherapy if you don't already have favorite smells that help.

Different teas are nice, especially if I use it as a focusing tool and 'experience' it rather than it being just something I drink while doing something else. Chamomile is a favorite for when I need to ease up and relax.

Distractions! Like @franciemarnie I've got a few coloring books, and sometimes I find really pretty coloring sheet designs online. Making crafts is a big coping skill for me. Things like picking out beads to string or counting stitches in crochet patterns can steer my mind out of the foggy dark places. When I can't focus enough to work on crafts, I've got a really soft stuffed toy that I'll pet and squeeze. My hands are the easiest route to redirecting my head so I always have something handy to fidget with if I need it.

 

[izmo]

Spiderallis, Thank you for your response :)

The idea of coloring does sound appealing (for me) hehe

Yes I still struggle with exhaustion and flashbacks, but I am working on being gentler with myself.

 

[izmo]

Self reminders for myself (in terms of self care):

Appreciate my sense of humor better

Video games, video games, video games (enough said)

Reconnecting with nature (I love underwater sounds so much and I like looking up pictures of animals I didn't see before)