What's Your Favorite Self Care Modalities?

[Lee2001]

Hello everyone:) Just curious what is every ones favorite self care activities? I am realizing how much I need to work on this and interested in what you all do? I like to go on walks, shopping, or even a pedi.... but have a hard time getting any of this in with two small children! I think recovery would go a lot quicker if I would truly give my self a break more and have time for self!

 

[holdenmonty]

I can relate so well to you. I like to go off into nature and take photos. I also enjoy going on walks or bicycle rides. I to have two small children and that is where I struggle so much in self care because if I take them with me then I'm concerned about if they are having fun or not or if they are safe or not. But if I go by myself then I tend to feel guilty for leaving them at home with my wife.

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

Nature, whole food/plant-based consumption inside and out, my breath, hot epsom salt baths, purposeful daily movement that's also fun, and music.

Not necessarily in that order, but each holds equal weight when it comes to importance to me. Except for the breath being ranked a tad bit higher than the others since none of the others would matter minus the breath. lol

I don't have little ones to care for, only myself, my hubby, and my elderly mom.

 

[MisterCatLady]

Copying and pasting my self care list that I keep at the ready.

Grounding
Watch anything funny. Try very hard to laugh.
Deep breathing
ASMR
Shower/wash your face
Get a haircut
Tattoo journal
Get cozy (pajamas, movie, comfort food, cats)
Nature
Journal
Call Allie
Suicide hotline chat
Mental health forums
Mental Health support group

 

[Fayne Jane]

I am new to this but tapping my chest in a butterfly is helping me. Trying to self care and soothe is very new to me as I am usually concerned about others. I now find with being in my 6th session of EMDR I need to other ways to deal with my assault and appreciate all that you share her

 

[Naoru]

Driving with music
Cooking with music
Showering with music
Running with music
Playing music
Music.

Hiking, dogs, reading, photography, travel, sleep all make the list, along with more vigorous, thrilling activities if those count.
Most importantly, giving myself permission to take a break. Any kind of break.

Working on adding breathing, meditation, stretching, more 'mindful' body activities. :cautious:

 

[Gamera3000]

I can so relate to the being a parent and having limited options thing. I will often get up and clean my house or mow the lawn. Something about actively putting things in order helps. I listen to a Pandora station on my phone while I'm doing it when I'm able.

I also will take a shower or wash my face. That works amazingly well.

 

[Deadman]

Having a dog,
exercise (call it movement if that is easier :) )
diet
hitting inanimate things with a stick
working on breathing
trying meditation again

 

[Friday]

Driving with music
Cooking with music
Showering with music
Running with music
Playing music
Music.

^^^
This :D

Also...

(Flexible) Routines

Hedonism > Doing something fun every day / making everything I do as fun as possible.

Exercise (with a splash of hedonism = fun exercise = sex, sports, martial arts, exploring, gymnastics, dance, etc.)

Mental Exercise (with a splash of hedonism = not just using my brain, but using it in fun ways)

Competence. (So much of my life is hard / I suck at it, that deliberately doing things I actually do well? Molto Bene.)

Social/Antisocial. (Take time to both connect with others & to rest/recharge)

Sleep & Eat

Grounding (yep, there are a lot of grounding activities in the above. While I like to have grounding things built into as many everyday tasks as possible? Deliberately taking the time to get grounded in addition, is something of a safety net)

Pain management. (May not always be necessary, but when I'm ignoring my pain schtuff, so it's getting worse & dragging me down, I'm not taking care of myself as I ought to be. This includes many things; meds, exercise, rehabbing injuries, diet, etc.).

Sanctuary (as in home. Either working on having one, or working on maintaining one).

Attitude (more important to my self care than one might think)

Prolly a few others, but these off the top of my head, are what I strive for, even if I don't achieve them, or have a good balance of them, it's what I work towards.

***

Self Care : Physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, financial.

 

[Cannottakethis]

Listening to music and singing at the top of my lungs.
Finding pictures on Pinterest
Reading
Planning and cooking healthy meals
Playing games on my phone
Coloring
Loving on my cats
Planning vacations

 

[Lee2001]

Thanks everyone! Really enjoyed reading all of your insights and responses. I even got a few more self care ideas and will start to implament some of those. Truly glad to be on here.

 

[Changing4Best]

Is getting a babysitter an option? You need some you time!

I love to read memoirs and biographies. I like going out for walks when the weather is nice, or even if it isn't. I have a rain poncho that is pretty wind proof also. Calling or visiting friends. Playing WORDS WITH FRIENDS on FB is fun. I have two going on right now. One with my therapist and one with an online friend who I also Skype with once a week. When you are almost always with your children, you need some "adult time." You know? Kids think differently than adults do. They are great and really fun to be with, but sometimes you need to get that comraderie you can only get from folks your own age.