Self care for those in need
Whether you need some extra self love or are struggling mentally, here are some ideas on ways to show yourself some support. I have found that these have helped me a lot but please feel free to add some of your ideas as well.
Take a bubble bath/warm shower. Use your favorite scented items, light a candle, listen to calming music, play with bath crayons, etc to make yourself feel extra comfy. If you have enough energy, also take the time to wash your hair. I know it can seem like a lot sometimes, but it does help you feel good.
Clean up your room/space. I know it can seem like a lot when you’re feeling unwell but keeping your space tidy will give you one less thing to stress about when your head feels like a mess.
Complete three self made goals a day. You know yourself best and know what you need to accomplish whether it is course work, going outside for 10 minutes, doing laundry, etc. It may not be what you feel motivated to do, but accomplishing tasks whether large or small provides you with a sense of accomplishment, and lessens your stress.
Eat fruit & veggies. While it’s great (& 100% okay) to have treats and snacks, make sure you’re also adding in some fruit and veggies to your daily routine. It’s important to have a balance and your body will thank you.
Sleep 7-9 hours. Ensuring you get proper sleep will help you go about your day to day tasks easier. I’ve found that when I am not getting enough sleep, my thoughts are worse and I feel unwell physically, making it harder to focus or accomplish my goals for the day.
Spend time with a loved one. Whether you visit with someone IRL or make a phone call with someone you care for, it’s important to connect with others. Make sure you are surrounding yourself with others who are supportive and a positive influence in your life.
Allow yourself to rest. If you’re finding yourself constantly running around or having a lot on your plate, make sure you’re dedicating time to rest. Whether it’s once a week or once a month, give yourself time to do absolutely nothing “productive”. Spend this day reading, watching films, baking, or doing anything else you love! This is your day to do what will recharge you mentally and physically. You can’t constantly run yourself thinly as you won’t feel your best mentally/physically.
Dedicate 1 or 2 hours a day to yourself. Use this time to do what you find will make you feel good whether it’s playing with toys/games, doing your makeup, going to the park, coloring, etc. Even if you aren’t able to take 1/2 hours at once, finding small times to yourself through out the day will help ground yourself and take some of the stress off of your shoulders.