Although it can be very rewarding, being a caretaker can also be a very draining experience, either professionally or for a loved one. Sometimes when we give so much to someone else, it can be easy to neglect ourselves.
Self care is the concept of taking intentional actions each day to benefit one’s own mental and physical well-being. Whether or not you’re a caretaker—everyone should have a self care plan! When you’re working to come up with ideas of physical things to do to help yourself, it is important to consider any physical ailments or disabilities you may have, and be sure to tailor your self-care plan to those needs. Self care doesn’t need to cost money! Remember: even the smallest things add up. We have to consistently make time for ourselves no matter how busy we are.
What are some ideas for daily or weekly physical activities that you can do that will help to relax, energize, and repair your body? What are daily or weekly mental exercises you can do that will help keep your stress level low?
Here is a list of good ideas:
- A getting-out-of-bed ritual: take a nice long stretch, raising your arms to the sky, taking three long, slow breaths.
- Treat yourself to one tasty treat everyday: it doesn’t have to be something unhealthy! It can just be something you wouldn’t normally give to yourself.
- Find at least one thing that will make you laugh, every day. Seek out humor.
- Massage some lotion onto your arms, legs, and neck. Slow, deliberate pressure along your limbs will help relieve the stress.
- Take baths.
- Write yourself and other people positive notes.
- Repeat empowering things to yourself. You are strong, wise and helpful. You’re doing a good job. Remind yourself daily.
- A getting-into-bed ritual: this can be the same as your morning ritual. Just something that will relax you and separate you from the stress of the day.
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