Let’s clear up one common misconception from the get-go: Self-care
is not synonymous with self-indulgence or being selfish. Self-care
means taking care of yourself so that you can be healthy, you can be
well, you can do your job, you can help and care for others, and you
can do all the things you need to and want to accomplish in a day.
3 Quick Ideas to Destress
1 – Self Care Ideas – Take Photos
Take some photos of your loved ones, or pets, or just of yourself, just have
fun and create something beautiful to look back on. Maybe do a photo
diary of your day or head off out and take some photos outdoors.
2 – Self Care Ideas – Tech Free Day
Switch off the tech, put down your phone, turn off social media and have a
tech-distraction free day. See how you feel at the end of it – Did you miss
it? Did you enjoy it?
3 – Feel Good Ideas – Feed the Birds
You can feed the birds even in the tiniest of gardens or balconies – scatter
some seeds, add a bird feeder, or even make your own. You could even mix
up some homemade fat balls for the garden birds and tie them from the
trees with pretty ribbons.
Short-term Gain, Long-term Loss
Much of self-care is making choices that will leave you in a better condition than you were in before the decision was made. It can be very tempting to just do what feels good right now, but I have found that often when I do something easy right now, I have to deal with something very hard down the road. On the other hand, when I do something hard now, it makes it so I can have an easier time of things later. Short term loss for a long term gain.
The following lists highlight some examples of each of these things. It is not a comprehensive list. Some of the short term gains may be difficult and the short term losses easy for you, because we each have our own strengths and weaknesses.
| Short term gains that have long term loss. | Short term losses that have long term gain. |
| – Over-use of alcohol – Excessive gaming – Smoking – Gambling – Eating too much sugar, fat, or salt – Overeating – Complaining to people who can’t do anything to help – Making fun of others – Arguing just to win – Manipulating with fear, shame, or guilt to get what you want – Tricking people into doing what you want – Stealing things – Cheating – Pornography – Spending money you don’t have – Isolating away from others | – Cleaning, including laundry and dishes – Vehicle maintenance – Studying – Practicing a skill or a sport – Hiking or climbing – Being honest – Admitting you were wrong, apologizing, and making amends – Caring for someone – Talking things out – Doing things that scare you, as long as they are not harmful to others – Self-regulating emotions – Keeping in contact with good friends – Being vulnerable – Speaking kindly to yourself – Facing trauma – Forgiving others |
