Extreme Self-Care Days for Rough Times

Extreme Self-Care Days for Rough Times

When you are going through a really rough time, it is time to practice EXTREME self-care. This means you need to revisit the basics from my previous posts – Oxygen Mask, Breathe, Rainy Days, etc.  But, you also need to build up your tool kit of things that make you feel good or at least better.

It is probably hardest to remember to do something to take care of yourself when you most need to do it!  That is just one of those paradoxes of life.  So, you really need to have a game plan for when you are in the weeds, so to speak.

Here are a few ideas to try to help you regain your equilibrium in self-care:

Make sure you breathe

If you do nothing else, do this. Go back and practice some 4-7-8 breathing and try to do some deep breaths.   When we are under a lot of stress, we can tend to hold our breath, which just makes everything worse.

Exercise or move in some way

Exercise is important for many reasons and it doesn’t really matter what you do, as long as you do it long enough to clear your head (usually 20 minutes or so) and give yourself some of the feel good chemicals like dopamine to your brain.

Eat well

This is one of the hardest ones for me to do. When I feel crappy, my first instinct is to eat the worst foods – sugar and/or grease laden, processed, etc.  The more comfort food the better, but when I just eat junk food, I inevitably wind up feeling worse.  So, don’t shoot yourself in the foot if you can help it.

Talk to someone

Venting or expressing your thoughts is a wonderful way to move the feelings through you and help you to process them.

Write about it

Journaling your thoughts, especially if you feel that you can’t share them with anyone else, will help to bring some relief.  Being able to get your thoughts on paper and to see what is really going on in your head may help you to see where you are utilizing “stinky thinking” and maybe making more of the situation than is necessary.

Reframe your situation

Try to think of yourself as the heroine of your story.  Realize that what is happening right now is what happens to characters in books or movies.  This may be your time of trial, but remember that nothing lasts forever.  There is usually a resolution to the situation and the heroine overcomes her troubles.  Practice thinking of happy endings and the best possible outcome instead of worst case scenarios.

Find Something That Makes You Feel Good

Find something, ANYTHING that makes you feel good that isn’t bad for you, and do it even if only for 30 minutes. (Some ideas are included below to get you started).

Talk to a professional therapist

There is no shame in getting help from someone who is licensed to help you.  And, the benefits of talking to someone who is able to be objective about your situation can be incredibly helpful.

Here is a short list of my favorites for practicing extreme self-care:

Relaxing bath with bath salts, bubble bath, and aromatherapy candles

Inhaling Lavender or other relaxing essential oils

Listening to spa type music

Going out in nature

Get a massage

Do some yoga

Reading a magazine or a good book

Coloring in an adult coloring book

Looking at beautiful things – art books, museum sites, etc.

Baking something delicious

Practicing positive self-talk and affirmations

Doing games and puzzles

Watching an inspiring movie or TV Show

Working on photo albums

What are your favorite ways to relax and recharge? Please know that you are not alone.  You were put on this planet for a purpose and you are loved.  Take good care of yourself!

Do you want even more ideas of ways to take better care of yourself?  Click here for your free printable reminder “5 Ways to Recharge Today”.

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