What does your daily self-care routine look like?

[Kubash16]

What are some things you do everyday to stay grounded and healthy?

I’m thinking we can all give each other ideas.

I’m supposed to be doing a morning routine but haven’t been successful with keeping up with it.

At night, my T emphasized making my room a safe/calming place to help with nightmares and insomnia. So I’ve implemented:

1. I start the night by writing a little in my book-no more than a scene at a time because I really need to learn how to pace myself.

2. Turn off all lights except some fairy lights and a glowing pineapple and light candles/warmer.

3. Do some hygiene: shower/shave/brush teeth/etc.

4. Write in my nightmare journal. The goal is to change previous nightmares into positive or at least neutral endings.

5. Take my meds and get some sleep.

Of course 9 times out of 10 I’m still playing on my phone long after. Which isn’t cool and a habit I need to break.

 

[ChildofGod]

I arm myself with knowledge. I know what I went through is extreme and sadly common. If I read about other stories like mine, I know that I am not alone, and can still succeed and experience happiness and joy.
I am working on getting rid of negative reminders.
I now have compassion for myself.

If I can't sleep, I may read, write or draw.
I changed my diet and started to exercise.

(Take my meds)

 

[NatBird]

Morning Journalling

Meditation

Exercise

More Journalling

Some type of movement practice

Some conversation about current feelings

Good food

Some connection with nature

Noticing something that I am grateful for or enjoyed

Bath with salts or some other way of cleansing body and energetic field

 

[Lionheart]

Because I suffer from several chronic illnesses including disabling PTSD a set schedule seldom works for me. Generally, physical pain levels dictate what I am able and unable to do. The following are partial lists...

On a good day, I try to do some or all of the following......

Gentle stretching exercises
Breathing exercises
a walk outside
Aromatherapy
Nature sound videos
Journaling
Meditation
Mellow music

On a (physically) bad day.....

A hot bath with seas salts and Epsom salts
Prayer
challenge negative assumptions
Journal
Treat pain with medications
herbal therapy
massage
rest


I wanted to add that I have a subtype of PTSD where my mind channels emotional pain into physical ailments (pain). It is a vicious anxiety/pain/anxiety cycle.

 

[blackemerald1]

I just try to cover the basics and not let my own standards slip.

So that means eat something, clean myself, wear something clean and do some exercise.

On bad days anything beyond that is a bonus and on good days it's all too easy and I get heaps more done.

On days where I have no choice but to do things that are not about me... I still try to do those basic things before I attend to other people and things.

 

[Elibeli]

For me it's

Lying in bed without lights with palms on my eyes
Also at work I can find a room to shut down lights abd rest on the chair for 10 min.

Contrast hot/cold showers.

Meditating a bit.

Boxing on a punching bag.

 

[Keming]

Shower.
Walk.
Coffee.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Night before-create a realistic to do list (then I don't lose sleep worrying I'll forget to do something important the next day)


Take Meds
Put on hearing aids (on a good day only)
Up no later than 9am and make bed immediately (making the bed helps keep me out of it)
Drink a high protein shake
Complete at least 3 house related things on a list-check off list
Therapeutic activity after list items are done-art, music, writing, or poetry
Get out of the house with people at least 5 times a week (includes T, music lessons, art lessons, exercise class, doctor, and friend)
Hair/ bath, (brush teeth-still working on doing this regularly)
In bed anytime after 8pm
Evening meds

 

[NatBird]

Love this thread. Grateful as my SC went to shit today! Thanks for posting

 

[Changing4Best]

1. I don't own a TV, no bad news from that and I find my life more calm that way.

2. Since I am a morning person and don't have a TV to keep me up, I go to bed even before sundown sometimes.
So I wake up at 3 AM or a bit later often, but well rested.

3. I usually eat breakfast first, then coffee.

4. After that, I put together a 100 piece puzzle this morning. (This was not my usual, but I thought I would add it as it is something I enjoy and is calming and gets my mind off my troubles. Also, I have to use my mind to do it!!!)

5. I usually read Scripture and do a Bible study after breakfast.

6. I like to read, play games, or whatever, to pass the time until I have to get ready for work. That does not take long, because I don't wear make-up nor do I dress fancy. I do have to do battle with my support hose to get them on though! (Somewhere during this phase, I brush my hair and teeth).

 

[Friday]

I’ve had some really stellar routines that have suited me right down to the ground, over the years.

Haven’t had one, much less the multiples that I Tetris into place as needed/wanted, for a long while now.

I usually can bang out...
- shower
- wash my clothes
- coffee
- eat something
... most days.

There used to be a helluva lot more to life than that.

 

[Sweetiesaurus]

Practice gratitude
Forgive myself
Be open minded and non judgemental
Write
Create
Design

Chat with neighbors at building's cafe
Still trying to make it to community center next door
Stretch
Thought stopped used to change past trauma anniversaries into celebrations of my survival

Hope with challenges by no longer catastrophizing and avoiding black or white thinking
Practice saying no to preserve boundaries

Friend
Chat
Color
Cat cuddle and care
Prayer
Bed