In the midst of the negativity and worry and fear surrounding many in our nation, I have kept going back to my blog for articles that would somehow help. There was stress relief, of course. Even mindset, but I totally get it: Damn hard to have an upbeat mindset when it feels like the world is going to hell. (Probably the time you need it most, though.)

So then I went looking for self care. Self care is more-than-ever needed when you’re going through rough times. I knew I had the category: Natural care. But what I found were articles on using natural things to heal or de-stress or treat an ailment. Not actual self care. Blast.

This one? All self care. So massively needed. Self care is NOT selfish. (Unless you ignore everyone you love and fellow humans and pets and whatever to soak in a bubble bath 24/7.) Self care restores your ability to think straight. To care about doing the things that keep you well. To breathe again. To lower your stress levels. To be the best you that you can be.

What does that look like? First, whatever it takes to lower your stress, take a moment, start again refreshed, smile a bit, gain back some optimism, get back to your normal wellness lifestyle. For those moments, it’s all good. Don’t let anyone shame you into doing something “wellness,” if a cookie is what you need. But, then again, a cookie 24/7 isn’t really going to fix anything. So, here are some ideas in a lonnnng list. Don’t get overwhelmed with it; that doesn’t help. Scan through it, print it out for other times, do whatever. Just choose something that catches your eye and DO IT! I get to go in mom mode now and insist. Ask my kids – you so don’t want me to give you my mom look, do ya? 🙂

• Include sleep as self care. Not enough sleep, bad quality sleep, whatever … sucks for care of you. Go to bed a bit sooner, get up a bit later, take a nap. Whatever you can do. Do it. Don’t feel guilty about it. Delete something from the list to make time. The house can be dirtier; get some rest.
• Cease multi tasking, even if only for a short period of time. It doesn’t make you feel good. On top of that, it doesn’t even make you more efficient or productive. (True word — studies have shown. But you rarely hear that, do you?)
• Say no. Yes … you can. Just gave you permission. Blame me; I’ll take it. You know there’s something you’re just itching to say no to. SAY IT. The world won’t end. And, if there’s someone involved that will try to guilt you into thinking it will if you say no, well, so be it. Let their world end. Their problem, not yours.
• Scale down. Cut out something, make something less Hollywood-worthy, etc. Make it more sensible. You can enjoy a wonderful celebration, for example, and it can be simpler.
• Find the magic again. Be more conscious of what you’re doing. Stop and delight, like a child, in the scents of the food. Or the twinkling of the lights. Or the snow falling. Be very much present in the moment. It magnifies the magic. And makes you grateful and happy and playful, which helps you be well.
• Get outside for five minutes. Yes, even in this weather (if you’re enduring this weather). Five minutes of fresh air and getting up and about will clear the cobwebs and your outlook on life.
• Dress in bright colors. Or carry a vividly-colored bag. Or post something near you with bright colors. These colors elevate your mood and boost your energy.
• Have a small snack mid-afternoon. Serotonin, the brain chemical that boosts mood, dips around then. Grab a snack that is something like a handful of almonds or a bit of protein and veggies. Things that turn to sugar — sugar and simple carbs — will only make you feel worse in a very short while.
• Move briskly for 10 minutes. Do whatever appeals to you and however you simply can at the moment. Put on some great music, get up from your chair, and dance/jump/move around. Take a quick walk. Run down the stairs and back. You’ll get your body moving and regain some new enthusiasm and energy.
• Find something funny. Laughter always is a boost.
• Get some sun. Just 15-20 minutes of sun will energize you. Outside, of course, is best, but you can simply sit near the sun streaming in a window and let the warmth light you back up.
• Talk to a supportive, positive friend. Someone who will help you remember the sand traps in life are short-lived and also is someone who can help you see the lighter side so you get back on track. Don’t talk to the friend that will insist you realize the world is pure hell. Not self care.
• Take time to feel gratitude. Be grateful you have the ability to (fill in the blank). You still have choice, and choice is an amazing thing to own. Feeling grateful (emphasis on feeling it) boosts endorphins and serotonin, which is the same thing antidepressant meds do. Those natural endorphins also help you cope better with stress and pain. You’ll sleep better. Your heart will work like it’s supposed to. You’ll have more energy. And it strengthens your immune system, which is what helps your body defend itself against disease or recover better from an illness.
• From Ohio columnist Regina Brett: Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
• Do nothing. Yep, nothing. I said it. Nada. NOT ONE DAMN THING. Oh, sure, not forever. For moments. Give yourself a time frame – I don’t care if it’s 5 mere minutes, and do – NOT ONE DAMN THING. Just breathe … and be. You know what those 5 minutes will do? Allow you to regroup. De-stress. Breathe again. Relax a bit. Grow quiet. And, ultimately, help you feel more capable of coping with your life and, then, living well.
• Feel free to be over-the-top joyously happy instead of a solemn, well-behaved, disciplined adult. Play = self care = wellness. Throw a snowball. Put on funny glasses. Watch a movie that is laugh out loud funny. Let loose. Let go. Do what restores you to kidhood.
• But, on the other side, if you’re sad, express it. Don’t slip it under the rug with all the other problems that soon will crop up as health issues. Just express it and move away from it. Don’t create a life around it.
• When you’re tired, please sleep. Even 15 minutes will restore some of your well being. If short naps don’t work for you, try a short break still. Relax, shut your eyes, breathe deeply a while. Shut off everything, and let go.
• Take care of yourself.
• Treat yourself gently.
• Respect what you need.
• Don’t put yourself last. It isn’t selfish to care for yourself like you’d care for a loved child. It’s needed so you can remain well and continue giving back to those around you.