SELF CARE TIPS

Set aside some time, to allow yourself to work through each step. Don’t rush or skip ahead. Self Care is important, and you deserve to devote some time to it.

You may want to go through this routine as soon as you wake up, as a preventive measure.

1 - Have you eaten in the last four hours?

If you haven’t eaten in a little while, your body needs fuel. It’s time for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

If there’s a specific food you want, it’s okay to eat it! You don’t have to eat perfectly healthy all the time– no one does! Just also use your brain a little, and notice the quantity you’re eating, and how healthy it is for you. You’re probably just fine at trusting your gut and knowing what your body needs.

Making a meal is hard for you right now, and that’s okay! Everybody struggles with cooking sometimes.

You have some options:

You can cook a meal for yourself.

You might have ready-made meals in the fridge.

You can get take-out or delivery.

You can go to a restaurant.

Take-out, delivery, and restaurants are a little more expensive than cooking on your own, but how you spend your money is your decision. It’s okay to treat yourself!

If you’re going to cook on your own, you have to decide what to make. A friend, partner, or family member can help with this. Here are some ideas for easy foods you can eat right now:

Pasta with butter, sauce, cheese, vegetables, and/or meat

Ramen noodles

Sandwiches

Rice

Grilled cheese (This can have meat on it, if you want!)

A smoothie or milkshake

Baked or fried potatoes

Eggs, pancakes, and/or bacon

Macaroni and cheese

Canned soup

Salad

Vegan

Boxed mashed potatoes

2 - Have you taken any medication you need to take?

Medication needs to be taken on schedule, or your body might react negatively.

Take some time now to take any pills, do any tests or injections, or apply any ointments prescribed by your doctor.

If this is a persistent problem for you, you may want to set a smart phone alarm so you remember to take it at the same time every day.

3 - Are you keeping yourself hydrated?

Drink a glass of whatever liquid you like best. Water is ideal, but don’t beat yourself up if you’d rather have tea, soda, juice, or milk. Soda will actually make you feel thirstier, but if it’s easier for you, then that’s okay!

4 - Can you take a guess at how many hours you’ve slept out of the last 24?

Everyone is an individual with different sleep schedules, but most people need 8 hours of relatively uninterrupted sleep. If you had less than that, and/or woke up frequently, and/or had nightmares, it might help you to take a nap.

Take a nap. You can finish this self-care guide when you wake up.

Ideally, let yourself sleep naturally, and sleep until you wake up. Obviously, this isn’t always possible. Otherwise, set an alarm for yourself, with plenty of time to wake up and get yourself together between your nap and your responsibilities.

5 - Are you in pain?

If there is something your doctor has prescribed you for pain, you should take it or do it.

For aches and pains, take an aspirin. You may also want to apply a heating pad or a cold pack on whatever hurts.

If you have a stomach ache, there are medications for that, like Pepto Bismol, and hot tea may also help.

Be nice to your body, and try to do “replace” the unpleasant pain with some pleasant alternative sensations, like good smells and pleasurable textures.

6 - Is something about your environment distressing or uncomfortable? Are your surroundings the right temperature?

If you’re too cold, you can try putting on some warm clothes, using a space heater, turning up the heat in your home, putting on a blanket, and/or snuggling with a pet or another person.

If you’re too hot, you can try putting on cooler clothes, turning on a fan, or turning up the AC in your house.

7 - Are your surroundings dirty or smelly?

It’s hard to feel okay in an environment that is unfriendly for whatever reason. If your surroundings aren’t clean, set a timer for five minutes and take care of the biggest problems, like leftover food, pet messes, or dirty clothes.

Chores can be scary and exhausting, but that’s not what we’re doing here. We’re just taking a little five-minute clean up to make ourselves and our homes happier!

8 - Do you feel unsafe because of the people, or lack of people, in your surroundings?

If you can, try to remove yourself from situations that are overwhelming or feel unsafe. If you can’t relocate entirely, take frequent breaks, or tune out with headphones.

9 - Does your body feel uncomfortable, sweaty, or dirty?

If you have the energy and ability to take a shower, it may be a good idea. If you are unable to take a shower, here are some things to do instead:

Wash your face

Put on lotion

Change your clothes

Use dry shampoo

Whatever physical self-care activity you like best!

10 - Do you know why you’re in a bad mood, or not feeling well emotionally?

(Remember, any answer is okay!) If there’s something on your mind, we’re going to do our best to take care of it.

11 - If there is something in your mind, set a timer for 15 minutes, and work on a solution.

If it’s something you can change, then great! If not, do your best to reach out to someone and talk about it.

12 - Remember, 15 minutes and only 15!

You can go back to whatever it is after we’re done working through this together. We’re just taking baby steps in the right direction.

13 - Sometimes, we don’t know the source of our bad feelings, and that’s okay.

14 - Do you feel anxious, nervous, keyed-up, paranoid, scared, or on edge?

If you’re generally anxious but don’t know why, that’s okay!

If you’re feeling anxious about something specific. That’s okay! Set a timer for 15 minutes and do something to take care of that worry. Maybe chip away at a task that seems insurmountable. You can do it!

15 - Here are some ideas for grounding activities:

Take deep, calm breaths.

Notice and list things in your surroundings.

Expose yourself to strong, pleasant sensations, like a pleasing smell or a favorite blanket.

Say out loud your name, your age, the date, and your location. List some things you’ve done today, or are going to do.

Splash water on your face or run your hands under the faucet.

Do a body scan meditation, or pay close attention to each of your body parts one by one.

Make tea. Feel the warmth of it in your hands, and the taste as you sip it calmly. Listen to music.

Play a categories game, and name some types of dogs, or clothing items, or gemstones, or countries, or anything else you can think of.

Write in your journal.

Take a mindful walk, either inside or outside. Pay close attention to your body and your surroundings.

Squiggle. Wiggle around. Dance. Stretch. Be silly and active for a few minutes.

Any other favorite grounding technique you’ve heard of or can think of.

There’s nothing wrong with experimenting!

16 - Do you feel triggered? Are you having flashbacks? Is something traumatic or upsetting from the past weighing on your mind? Did you have a vivid nightmare?

If you’re feeling triggered, see if there’s a practical action you can take to lessen your distress. Can you block that unsafe person from your Facebook, for example?

If not, reach out and tell someone safe how you’re feeling. Just express yourself! Human contact works wonders when you’re not feeling well emotionally.

Remember that you’re here in the present, and nothing from your past can hurt you. If you like, you may want to try some grounding exercises to reinforce that idea.

17 - Are you feeling dissociated, depersonalized, or derealized? Do you feel far away, foggy, or unreal? Are you not sure who you are?

Go back to number 6 and try the grounding activities.

18 - Are you feeling depressed, sad, or upset?

Feeling depressed isn’t fun, but it doesn’t last forever! Don’t be mad or disappointed with yourself for feeling depressed.

Take 15 minutes and accomplish something small, like loading the dishwasher or making a friendship bracelet. You are not a failure, and your situation is not hopeless! You are a superhero, even if it doesn’t feel like it.

19 - Are you feeling lonely?

Everybody feels lonely sometimes. If you’re feeling lonely, there’s ways to reach out to people!

You can talk to someone in your house, or call someone on the phone. You can also use texting or Facebook messenger to speak to someone. You may want to talk about how you’re feeling, or you may not. Anything you want to talk about is okay!

If that isn’t or doesn’t seem possible, you can post a general message on Facebook, Tumblr, Vent, or another internet service, about whatever you want!

20 - Are you feeling foggy?

If you are feeling foggy, you might need some exercise.

21 - Do you have the energy and ability to go for a walk?

If you can’t take a walk, that’s okay!

Here are some alternatives:

Jumping jacks

Bouncing on the bed

Dancing

Push ups or sit ups, if you like doing them

Walking up and down the stairs

Yoga

Wiggling, squirming, jiggling around; being silly and active and having fun!

If none of those are or seem possible, just sit outside for some fresh air!

22 - Do you have pets at home?

Playing with pets can be a great way to take the edge off when you’re not feeling well. It doesn’t matter what kind of pet you have, just take some time to interact with them. Pet your cat, take your dog outside, feed your fish, hug your lizard…

23 - Take half an hour and do whatever you want to do right now.

This can be anything: crafts, watching TV, laying on the couch, taking a walk, playing Farmville… your choices are literally endless!

Obviously, don’t do anything that’s bad for you, like feeding addictions or harming yourself or others

24 - It’s time to reassess.

Maybe now that you’ve done all this self care, you feel better– great! Maybe you don’t, and that’s okay too. But hopefully you’ve cleared things up and you know what to do next to take care of yourself.

You deserve self care, so even if it’s hard, do your best!

Good luck!

source: Jace Harr - Please do not remove the source

More Posts from Kaitlyngilmore6 and Others

kaitlyngilmore6

6 years ago

The Boss vs The Man: A Battle For Greatness

The Boss and The Man are very different characters. However their goals and ambitions have always been the same - to be at the top.

“Pissed Off For Greatness”

When Sasha became The Boss in NXT, it’s because she wanted centre of attention, to have the spotlight and to be the champion. She was angry that she had been being overlooked and underestimated for so long. She decided that the only way to achieve her dreams was to be ruthless and take down anyone that stood in her way and it worked for her.

The Boss Vs The Man: A Battle For Greatness

Now Becky also had similar frustrations. Her career wasn’t really going anywhere in NXT. She eventually crossed paths with the Boss who gave her an idea: what do you need to do to make it to the top? Becky took that advice an aligned herself with Sasha. Together, they could work together to take out their competition. But there was underlying tension between them.

This alliance would eventually dissolve when they both got a shot at the NXT Women’s Title. Sasha won the championship match, and now she was at the top. And where did that leave Becky? With nothing. They would eventually clash for the title. Sasha didn’t see Becky as her equal. She believed she made Becky. Becky lost the match but that would be her breakout moment. That set the stage for everything that’s happening now.

“Greatness doesn’t need to be goaded into being great.”

Charlotte, Sasha and Becky got called up to the main roster at the same time. And whilst Charlotte and Sasha had already made names for themselves, Becky struggled to find her place in the division. Opportunities would come and go and Becky would make the best of them, but the spotlight was on Sasha and Charlotte. Becky was always overlooked. An afterthought. She was even told she was the least relevant in the women’s evolution. Sasha and Becky both got the opportunity to face Charlotte for the women’s championship but Becky was the third wheel in that match. Once again an afterthought.

Eventually Becky would get separated from the two women she’s been tied to for the majority of her career. She then became the inaugural Smackdown women’s champion. Finally at the top of her own division, but there was something missing.

She realised what it was when she once again got pushed to the side for Charlotte Flair. “To be the best you have to beat the best”. Becky’s frustrations turn her against her former friend and the fans. However, she came to realise that the WWE Universe was on her side. They had been paying attention to her journey. They wanted her at the top. Becky had been holding back because she didn’t want step on any toes. But enough was enough. In NXT, she said she had come into this company to takeover and that’s what she decided to do. This system that had been against her from the beginning. The corporate heads never had faith in her but the fans did. She knew what she deserved. She’d fought hard to be where she was unlike the Charlottes and Rondas of this world.

With the support of the WWE Universe, Becky is able to take what she’s owed. She’s grabbed the brass ring and finally at the top of the mountain.

“The Greatest Woman To Never Be Great”

Sasha Banks’ journey has not been as easy as it looks. Coming to the main roster, Sasha not only craved attention but she wanted the respect of the WWE Universe. And that would be the beginning of a long arduous road for The Boss. Changing her attitude would lead to a series of embarrassing title reigns and wasted opportunities. She’s in the spotlight and gets to be in all these first-evers but always comes up short. Doing things the right way has not worked out for her.

She also realises that the system has never really been in her favour. Whenever she gets something, it gets taken away because she’s being the good guy. She has been of the backbone division yet been served on the chopping block to women she feels are lesser than her. She is the standard. She is the talk of the division yet no one respects her. No one believes in her and that has messed with her confidence. The tag titles present an opportunity to finally have gold but Sasha knows that just moves her farther away from her goal of being at the top. Being a mid-carder? That’s beneath her. And when she and Bayley lose the titles at Wrestlemania, that’s the last straw. She decides to take off and let the division fend for itself.

A Worthy Adversary

Now Becky is at the top. On the cover of posters and magazines, she’s the face of the company. But once again something is missing. She’s beaten Charlotte more times than she can count, she’s taken out Ronda and at this point Lacey Evans is her personal punching bag. Becky has done everything she needs to do. But she’s…bored? There’s this nagging feeling that there’s something that she hasn’t done yet. What is it? Defeat Sasha Banks.

Sasha Banks has been gone for months but somehow she’s still the centre of attention. The week of Wrestlemania when Becky makes history, all everyone is talking about is Sasha Banks: Where is she? Are the rumours true? When is she coming back? Becky is at the top of now but somehow Sasha is still in her spotlight. Becky needs Sasha to come back. She needs to defeat the woman who always doubted her and never saw her as a worthy adversary. So she goads Sasha, taunts and mocks her for being a sore loser whenever she gets the opportunity. But Sasha never responds.

Now Sasha has been watching Becky. As Sasha’s career has been going down a road leading nowhere and Becky has been making her way to the top. Sasha was relegated to a pointless tag team match while Becky got to achieve Sasha’s dream of main-eventing Wrestlemania. Sasha made Becky, yet Becky is living The Boss’s dreams. Becky is getting everything Sasha ever wanted. Becky has the support of the fans. And Sasha is envious. She’s played nice for too long. Becky isn’t even on her level but has the audacity to mock her. She needs to come back and take what’s hers.

The Boss vs The Man

These two women have always had to fight for what they wanted. Becky has got to the top because she worked for it and had the fans on her side. And while Sasha initially had more opportunities, she’s lost momentum because she tried to be a people-pleaser. She wanted to be the hero but people saw right through it, that’s why it didn’t work. Becky and Sasha have never been the chosen ones. They’ve always had to take what they wanted. And now Becky has what Sasha wants. She wants The championship and Becky’s spot. As for Becky, she needs to tick off last thing on her list - Defeating Sasha Banks. The woman who always doubted her and never saw her as an equal.

While Sasha might have made Becky in NXT, Becky became The Man on her own. Sasha hasn’t been The Boss since NXT and now she’s back with a vengeance. That rage that fuelled her in NXT is back. She’s hungrier and more desperate than ever. Sasha is back for the fame, the money and the glory. Becky is at the top of her list because she has what Sasha needs. She still doesn’t think Becky is her equal. But Sasha has been paying attention. To be the man you need to beat The Man. They have a lot of history together and They may think they know each other but they’ve both changed. Becky is more confident now and Sasha is back in her element.

The Battle For Greatness

Becky has been playing a cat and mouse game with everyone who ever did her wrong. Telling them “get me before I get you.” That message was for Sasha.

And what does Sasha do on her return? Go after Natalya. She isn’t about to play The Man’s games. She has her own plan. She’s been ignoring Becky for months and she knows it’s gotten to her. She knows she’s in Becky’s head. That’s how she lured Becky out the night of her return. Sasha is still treating Becky like she isn’t worth her time.

The tables have turned. Now Becky believes that she’s made Sasha the top dog. She thinks that Sasha has done nothing of consequence since she’s been gone while she’s been making headlines. Now because of Becky, Sasha is the talk of the town.

Becky’s game worked. She’s been trying to get Sasha back and The Boss finally took the bait. But Sasha is playing a different game. Something more sinister that she hasn’t revealed yet. There’s a lot at stake for them and not just the title. Their reputations and their positions. This is a battle for greatness. This is a blood feud and Clash of Champions is only the beginning.