Self-Care

These are difficult times, with many recent added stressors. And while some things are out of our control and divides can seem bigger than ever, one of the things we can control is how we choose to cope. Utilizing healthy coping skills can foster resilience. During times of stress it is important to not only utilize healthy and practical coping skills, but also to engage in acts of self-care.

Although self-care can often be seen as a luxury we can’t always afford, such as a vacation, going to a spa, spending money on a nice meal or a special event, in truth self-care can simply be small acts of caring kindness we bestow upon ourselves.

Acts of kindness can include giving ourselves grace and time to reflect during stressful moments, days, or weeks. Sometimes it means reaching out for support from your community, taking 5 minutes to engage in something relaxing (e.g. playing music or a quick breathing exercise) or even giving yourself some time to “shut off” and engage in a distraction for a set amount of time (e.g. watching funny videos or reading a book). Even spending a few minutes writing a list of 5 things you can be grateful for, can help to find some hope and light in what might feel heavy and dark. So with that in mind, below is a list of activities that might be seen both as acts of self-care as well as ways to cope.

• Add something relaxing to your daily routine.
• This can be time to have a cup of tea while looking out the window, or listening to some relaxing music. Anything that can allow both your mind and body to have a break.

• Pick up/clean up your environment
• Sometimes when we need a break, we just need something mundane to do, and sometimes nothing is more mundane than just picking up around your home. The benefit is less clutter in your environment, which can help to reduce clutter in your mind!

• Set up any needed appointments
• Another act of self care is making the time to get the care we need. This can include visiting the doctor, dentist, or starting therapy. This can be a double win because you can also celebrate getting some tasks completed!

• Nourish your body and get enough sleep
• While these can seem obvious, these two concepts often are the first to be overlooked when we get stressed or feel overwhelmed. Yet these two things alone can help to reduce feelings of stress and increase our capacity to cope.

• Take time to move your body.
• Moving our body on a regular basis not only has both physical and mental benefits, it can be a way of caring for our body, and therefore, ourselves.

• Take a break when you need one.
• Often we can be so busy doing things, we don’t stop to just “be”. Even a 3 minute break can be helpful throughout the day, particularly before switching tasks.

• Try a short meditation.
• Mediation can be achieved in many ways. You can try a guided meditation or breathing exercise, taking a walk in nature, or even try a mind-body exercise such as yoga.

• Set realistic goals for yourself and celebrate when you achieve them.
• Again, this could be choosing to do something new for 3 minutes a day or focusing on one small thing you can add to your routine to bring you joy. It could be as simple as setting the goal to get out of bed and get dressed! Just be sure to recognize the accomplishments.

• Say “no” when needed
• Yes, setting healthy boundaries and saying no when you are already overwhelmed or have too much going on is an important part of self-care.

• Forgive ourselves and others
• Having grace, especially for ourselves, can be one of the biggest acts of self-care and can help to quiet that inner critic. Recognizing we are doing our best under the circumstances with the energy and resources we have, is imperative to our ability to heal. So give yourself, and others, grace and forgiveness for not being at our “best”. We can be doing our best despite not being who we might envision as the “best” version of ourselves.

• Community Outreach
• Finding communities that support us and in which we can offer support can also be a powerful act of self care. Engaging in support groups (or even starting one if there is not one in your area or one for the type of support you are looking for), volunteering and/or becoming active in movements which feel empowering, or attending social gatherings that you find to be uplifting can all be ways to find connection during times where we might otherwise feel alone.