Last week, I wrote about self-care in the midst of the pandemic. Thank you for reading and responding to the post. Your answers were encouraging and honest. All of us are struggling and learning what works for us as we navigate the art of self-care.
The pandemic isn’t over, but I’ve started to take back control of caring for myself, physically and mentally. I’ve been slowly digging my way out of a rut, one change at a time. I know myself well enough to know I had to start with small changes and keep building on them. I had to reprogram my thinking and just start. Reprogramming with small changes—not extreme ones—creates more lasting results for my overall health and well-being. Setting my boundaries and staying aware of my thought processes and choices keeps me on track. When I do this, I experience less stress and more freedom.
I’m happy to be working on a self-care plan before the holidays arrive. Here’s what I’ve been doing so far:
- Learning to listen to my body again.
- Eating healthier by adding extra vegetables and fruit. For me, it also means fewer carbs.
- Taking vitamins faithfully each day.
- Scheduling a physical with my doctor for blood work.
- Increasing my water intake.
- Resting more, going to bed earlier. This is something I need to work on daily as I’m a night owl!
- As I’m working from home, I set my alarm and get up every hour to stretch and take a walk around the house. More movement is always good, and it’s a beautiful time of the year to get outside and walk.
- Taking breaks throughout the day can also lead to creative breakthroughs.
- Spending time with friends who bring out the best in me.
- Changing my schedule to set better boundaries for myself.
- Engaging my creativity, which relaxes me, gives me more energy, and clears my mind. Creativity can be a small project or an ongoing one.
- Journaling about my thoughts and dreams.
- Taking day trips.
- Enjoying a hot cup of tea and curling up with a good book.
- Taking an afternoon nap can be just what I need to re-energize myself.
- Accountability partner who encourages me.
- Better understanding of what I can control and letting go of that which I cannot.
- Learning to say “NO” with no guilt.
- Prioritizing self-care as a daily discipline. Taking good care of myself doesn’t have to be costly, just a priority.
I’d love to hear about your self-care practices as we learn from each other when we share. Please comment below.
Hi Marie,
Thank you for your encouragement to keep moving forward during these challenging times.
Recently I have been working on using my planner. It has helped me get more done in a day. It also has been a good reminder to ask for God’s help and blessings throughout my day.
May God’s love surround you and keep you in perfect peace.
Love in Christ,
Sherry
Sherry,
Yes, I love a good planner. Using a planner helps us to see how much we accomplish during the day. That is so rewarding.
Blessings
Marie
Being aware of the changes we want to make is the first step to self-care. You are doing a great job. Thank you for sharing.
Forgot to mention social self-care by “falling” into sharing weekly walks in nature and live music outdoors while forging new friendships with common interest meetup groups. Thx for the opportunity to share our self-care strides.
TLG
Social self-care is important. I love walking outside in the fall. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you EvaMarie for sharing empowerment tools, to reboot our interests, explored and discover routine, reading aloud and pondering 🤔 daily inspirations sent, also discovered meditation practice using headspace, incorporating yoga stretches, typing as well as “old fashioned” hand writing with pen/paper. Call it hyper focus been intentionally increasing munching on fruits/veggies, efforts to tweak baking recipes creating healthiest treats possible, exploring vegan, paleo, gluten free, no refined sugar, increase water hydration, avoid cheese, fried and night shades veggies, experiment. Thanks Marie for being transformative coach paving good positive direction, providing quality tips for us to choose while striving to thrive beyond just survive while learning to embraces challenges presented. TLG
Thank you for reading and my and commenting. It’s great when we share because it helps all of us. You are doing a great job with your self-care.
Hi Marie,
Thank you for your posts, they are truly informative and uplifting to me ❤️
Some of my self care is:
Sleep schedule 10/11pm -6/7am. I found that my sleep schedule was crazy and started to keep me up all night.
Eating better. I am diabetic and during virus I totally went on a wild eating binge.
Walking more and keeping a schedule.
I do feel more focused and alive.
Find more time with the Lord is the best part of the epidemic!!!
Blessings,
Tammy