July Self-Care Challenge
twyla77
Posts: 445 Member
June was a busy month, but I felt so much joy just logging in & reading all of the different ways everyone was taking care of themselves, so let's keep it going! Even just reading through the thread to see what everyone was up put a smile on my face, and I am grateful for that! Looking forward to another month of positive vibes!
For the new joiners, here's what this challenge is all about!
We're all here on MFP to improve our physical health & strengthen our bodies, but what about working on our mental health? As indulgent as the term "self-care" sounds, it really is an important way to help prevent "overload burnout" as well as reduce the negative effects of every day stress.
I'm committing to 1 act of self-care every day of July! These acts don't have to be costly or time consuming, just little things that I can work into my regular schedule to help me feel good mentally while I work on feeling good physically!
If anyone wants to join this challenge please do - if you want to log in daily or a few times over the month to comment/share what you're up to, that would be great - the more ideas the better, because not everyone feels the same about certain things - some people might consider a day at the spa getting a pedicure and facial relaxing, but to me that would be a stressful afternoon! To each their own, this isn't about what's right or what's wrong, it's about what makes YOU feel good!
A few ideas from blogs, articles & friends to get started:
*try a new recipe
*say no to something without feeling guilty / realize the benefits of saying no to some things
*declutter your wardrobe / donate some items of clothing that you haven't worn or no longer fit
*get up out of your office chair and go for a walk (outdoors if possible!)
*start a puzzle
*tell yourself a body positive affirmation such as "I love _______ about my body because it makes me feel special & unique."
*go for a bike ride to nowhere in particular, just for fun! Not to get your Fitbit number up, but just because you feel like it.
*clean up your work area / desk
*unplug for a few hours and enjoy a cup of tea and a book
*buy a drugstore face-mask and a fun nail polish and have a DIY pampering session
*watch a TEDtalk about something you're interested in, or something you'd like to learn more about
*diffuse some uplifting essential oils
Anyways, even if you don't join the daily challenge, I hope you still take a bit of time in July to do something great, just for yourself! You deserve it!
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Replies
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Monday July 2 : It’s the Canada Day long weekend here, and I’m actually taking the day off instead of going in to the office! Not even going to check my work emails until tomorrow!
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Thank you @twyla77 Happy Canada Day Weekend!!
I realize as I get closer & closer to my Goal Weight & slipping into maintenance mode, that Self Care is really important when we don’t have the scale decreases...
So glad you thought of this!
July 1: prepped foods & worked on my art in the evening & went to sleep earlier!!
July 2: Will work in my new book at least 10 mins.
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Getting the hang of this.My food for dinner yesterday.Sorry the picture is a bit out of focus.
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Another hot day, so I went for a peaceful early morning walk. Tonight dinner with a friend at our favorite Indian restaurant.
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For me, I do have to agree with you that time at the spa does not relax me, even after an hour massage. So what does? Sitting back and watching my bird feeders. Seeing everything fly in as big as blue jays and doves down to as small as humming birds just calms me down in a way I can't explain. But may explain why I have 6 different types of bird food/feeders LOL 7
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I meditated this morning and I'm hoping to write in my log for 5 minutes. I'm trying to focus on how I feel. I can do goals all day, but the emotional part is hard for me.4
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For me, I do have to agree with you that time at the spa does not relax me, even after an hour massage. So what does? Sitting back and watching my bird feeders. Seeing everything fly in as big as blue jays and doves down to as small as humming birds just calms me down in a way I can't explain. But may explain why I have 6 different types of bird food/feeders LOL
oh wow! i wish i had somewhere to hang a bird feeder! i don’t blame you for having 6 different types, that must be so nice to watch! (and nice for the birds, too!)2 -
I finished a book and got the family on a walk2
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Light is my first level of self care. I spent the money to buy a good daylight goose-neck lamp and it is directly over my desk. I turn it off in the evening and get my screen to darken on my computer so I have a slowdown into night time and I go to bed less jittery. In Seattle we have vitamin D and depression issues so I make it an effort to get outside when it's not raining and just soak up some sun. Used to call those smoke breaks but quit smoking so now it's "sunshine breaks".
Sleep is my second level of self care. I'm a retired stay at home mom... I'm allowed to sleep! Finally! I have myself a routine of listening to an audiobook with a sleep timer at night so again I can settle my mind in darkness without a tv or phone flicker. I'm slowly turning my bedroom into a nice retreat, plants and more daylight bulbs and music. I never had a room designed just to feel good before.
Music is my third layer of self care. Whenever I'm really down my daughter asks me what music I've been listening to and it's always been days or weeks since I put on music I love to sing along to. Recently my son instigated Happy Music Time when he gets home from work. We put on our favorite songs and sing along... now my fitness goal is to be able to dance all the way through Farrell's Happy. Musicals are another great choice around here because we all burst into song and movie quote at each other. Great for a day of housecleaning.
Laughing would be my fourth layer of self care and another thing I tend to ignore when I'm down but it's such a simple energizer to just put on a comic you like and then just laugh to split a gut. Yet inevitably when I'm down and my son notices I have to then I have to watch a comic he picks. Try any comic that might be funny especially when you don't feel like laughing. And comedians energize me more than silly movies so I like seeing stand up or improv.
Shopping is another self care layer that doesn't have to be expensive if you keep in mind that you're looking for treasure... you aren't spending a set amount but you will know when you find the needful thing. Sometimes the treasure isn't even for me. Might be a candle, might be a picture of an elephant your husband would love. Could be your sister's next birthday present. Could be your present to yourself on your birthday. Just stroll, browse, wish or fantasize about whatever, how many houseplants you'd want if you could have all you wanted or oh I'd do those drapes in my bedroom.
Meditation is another layer of self care and it took me quite some time to really get what I'm supposed to be doing, you know your mind is like a restless puppy when you close your eyes but don't go to sleep. My cat helps me meditate. When he gets up on my desk I push the keyboard away and we have a snuggle for a good ten minutes and I practice the mindful meditations by Jack Kornfield. He has a great voice and a great empathy. Then either me or the cat gets restless and I shoo him away and I'll do another ten minutes with him later.
Creativity is another layer of self care that I figured out in the hospital. Coloring, drawing, kids watercolor sets, glitter pens, you don't even have to make it a huge project but get yourself a nice coloring book and some cheap gel pens to start and channel your inner 5 year old and color everything in glitter!
Been working on scents as a layer of self care. I found a body spray I really like and I spritz myself now and again. My daughter found these little tins of balms you rub on your hands and face before bed because it's a light relaxing fragrance. There's cucumber toner facial spritzers for the summer. Scents are so powerful. What's a better start to self care than to buy yourself some fresh flowers!
So that's like my baseline of self care. I'm sure I can think of other things. A gratitude journal, for instance, can be very helpful if you have a nice list of ideas to fill it with. I'm bipolar and I've tried everything and been in and out of hospitals and they always want a self care plan before you leave so that's how this list got built over the years.10 -
Had a date with my DH!1
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Arrived at our annual vacation spot in West Virginia. Yesterday and today, I have already been on long power walks in the rolling hills. Yesterday, I had 14,000 steps, and it's only 10 am today and I already have 7,600. My fav form of self care is walking far and all alone.
This vacation will be self care driven- I'll go to the spa (massages, pedicures, facials etc.)
I also brought art supplies and journals. I'll be sure to read. We go on this vacation with 10 extended family members and our routine is really perfect: we meet for breakfast and dinner but in between everyone does what they want.
I'll also golf this week even though I dont really care for it; but my family members do.
LAst night, I saw fireworks which were gorgeous and observed my dad wiping away silent tears. He is grateful to this country for many things; he was a very poor immigrant who came to America and made a life for himself in the 60s. Overall, the self care goals will be met this week to the max. Wishing every one a happy 4th of July. Xo3 -
JulieAL1969 wrote: »Arrived at our annual vacation spot in West Virginia. Yesterday and today, I have already been on long power walks in the rolling hills. Yesterday, I had 14,000 steps, and it's only 10 am today and I already have 7,600. My fav form of self care is walking far and all alone.
This vacation will be self care driven- I'll go to the spa (massages, pedicures, facials etc.)
I also brought art supplies and journals. I'll be sure to read. We go on this vacation with 10 extended family members and our routine is really perfect: we meet for breakfast and dinner but in between everyone does what they want.
I'll also golf this week even though I dont really care for it; but my family members do.
LAst night, I saw fireworks which were gorgeous and observed my dad wiping away silent tears. He is grateful to this country for many things; he was a very poor immigrant who came to America and made a life for himself in the 60s. Overall, the self care goals will be met this week to the max. Wishing every one a happy 4th of July. Xo
This sounds so wonderful, Julie!1 -
July 4
Really relaxed, watched tv, took a light stroll, petted my cat a lovely day! 3 -
@MadisonMolly - petting an animal is one of my favourite things to do! I don't have any pets of my own anymore, but we have an office dog, Ruby! 10 minutes with her is instant stress relief!3
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- "Spiritual" walk.
- Did another thing that was hanging over my head.
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I am so excited.Going to buy myself a copper chef casserole today.It has a steamer and frying chips adapter.Now i can through out my old steamer.Thumbs up for new and exciting dishes.4
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July 5
Went to the Farmer’s Market! Yum!!
Planned a birthday party for a dear friend!!1 -
Still on a family vacation.
Have not mediated but have walked many miles a day on the rolling hills.
Eating a lot of salads because when you're at a resort, you have your very own personal chef in a way. No excuses not to order salad when it's so tasty and someone else is making it.
July 6- Today, we are going to the zoo.4 -
I've just finished being parkrun Run Director today. I always need a lot of winding down after that, because it gives me anxiety leading up to it (being in charge of sometimes 80 runners and speaking at the event), even though I've done it 17 times now.
@twyla77 Your tips in the OP are great!
I've sussed out a new recipe. I will go for a walk to buy the things I need for it.
I bought myself a Merino exercise jacket on my way home. Love having new fitness gear!
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July 6
Relaxed & took it easy. Called it “Vacation at Home”! Went for a great walk and listened to fun music!5 -
On a weekend vacation and got the family to go on a walk. Today we're gonna bbq and have cake for my upcoming birthday and go swimming4
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Went for a 50-minute walk while listening to an audiobook ("She's Not There" by Joy Fielding).3
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Yesterday I read a chapter in a book - LOL! This is pretty awesome for me.4
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allison8668 wrote: »Yesterday I read a chapter in a book - LOL! This is pretty awesome for me.
What are you reading? 1 -
@SaraKim17 I'm reading "The Slow Down Diet, Eating for Pleasure, Energy & Weight Loss" by Marc David. I read the chapter for Week 6 - The Metabolic Power of Thought. It's an interesting book. I don't know if I agree with everything he says. But, he does say some very interesting things that make you go 'hmmmm.'
The chapter I read is about how your thoughts influence how the food you eat is metabolized.2 -
allison8668 wrote: »@SaraKim17 I'm reading "The Slow Down Diet, Eating for Pleasure, Energy & Weight Loss" by Marc David. I read the chapter for Week 6 - The Metabolic Power of Thought. It's an interesting book. I don't know if I agree with everything he says. But, he does say some very interesting things that make you go 'hmmmm.'
The chapter I read is about how your thoughts influence how the food you eat is metabolized.
@allison8668, thank you, it sounds interesting. Regarding your comments about the book, I felt the same way about "Wheat Belly". I found it very interesting and thought it made some valid points, but I couldn't agree with everything. Some of it was definitely over the top, imo.
At some point I want to check out The Beck Diet Solution. It seems to garner a lot of positive comments.
Hope you're enjoying the weekend! 1 -
Thank you @SaraKim17 and @allison8668 for the suggestions. I’ve been trying to figure out how to listen to podcasts on my phone!! “Cut the Fat”
Podcasts were recommended.
SaraKim - what is your book about?
I recommend The MIND Diet by Morris.1 -
I would like to join the challenge, how do I join0
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@MadisonMolly2017, Joy Fielding usually writes what I consider psychological suspense novels. This one is about a woman whose two year old daughter is kidnapped while the family is on vacation in Mexico. Years later she is contacted by a young girl/woman claiming to be her long-lost daughter. Lots of family dynamics.
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