September Self-Care Challenge
twyla77
Posts: 445 Member
in Challenges
I didn’t comment much in August, but I logged in and read the posts almost every day, and was so happy with all the self-care tips & stories, so let's do it again in September! I will join in more this month, i promise!
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 September! 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 September to do something great, just for yourself! You deserve it!
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 September! 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 September to do something great, just for yourself! You deserve it!
7
Replies
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Yay, I'm in again!
Love this challenge.
Hey, I read this great list of self-care tips for people with depression.
https://themighty.com/2018/08/realistic-self-care-ideas/
[...]
There is a difference between legit self-care and pampering. Most people who struggle with depression, or any mental illness for that matter, struggle with actually taking care of themselves. Here’s a list of realistic self-care tips for anyone who might be having a tough day and needs something to do to take care of themselves.- Get out of bed.
- Brush your teeth.
- Wash your face.
- Shower, even if you just get in and rinse off! The water might feel amazing for you.
- Eat something. Even if it’s just a cracker or some bread. Just get something in your belly!
- Walk out onto your back porch. Stand there for 10 seconds and then if you want, go back inside. Great job, you made it outside! If you feel like it, take a short walk. Get some sunshine!
- Put on your favorite TV show or movie.
- Check your email and clear your inbox. Respond to anything that is important.
- Change your sheets.
- Check your actual mail.
- Stay hydrated. Fill up a water bottle and keep it close by.
- Take your medication.
- Stretch. This can be a small quick stretch on the couch or some yoga.
- Check your text messages and answer those from people who are important or worried about you.
- Pay any bills you might have to avoid late fees.
- Change your clothes if you didn’t when you first got out of bed.
- If you have a pet, make sure they are good on their food and water. Nothing feels worse than your pet having an empty water or food bowl and you not being aware of it!
- Do a creative hobby that you like.
- Open up the blinds to let the light come into your house.
- Watch a funny video. Laugh.
I know it feels impossible to get up and start the day, but you can do it. It takes one step. Even if it is just to the couch, you did something. It is OK if all you did today was exist. We all have rough days, but make sure you take care of yourself so you don’t make it worse.
===
Some days just functioning "normally" is taking care of yourself. Even if you don't officially have depression, that can be most weekdays!
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@deisebayer @kzzr Here is the September self-care thread! Enjoy!3
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am: Did a short meditation, and then spent time just chatting with my husband. We are going out to dinner tonight at BinL's and SinL's house. They are off to USA to visit their daughter. Their granddaughter is 4 at the end of the month, so I will send her birthday present over with them.
pm: I am preparing for a trip to London next week with my art history research group, where I can indulge myself with gallery/museum/exhibition visits. One has to feed mind, and soul, as well as body. I am doing a short presentation on Manet at our next meeting when we return.
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Thank you @twyla77 !!!
Your self-care challenges have helped me SO MUCH!
I’ve developed hobbies and new ways of living that bring me joy, replacing how I used to eat!!
Excited for where September will take us!4 -
TerriRichardson112 wrote: »
am: Did a short meditation, and then spent time just chatting with my husband. We are going out to dinner tonight at BinL's and SinL's house. They are off to USA to visit their daughter. Their granddaughter is 4 at the end of the month, so I will send her birthday present over with them.
pm: I am preparing for a trip to London next week with my art history research group, where I can indulge myself with gallery/museum/exhibition visits. One has to feed mind, and soul, as well as body. I am doing a short presentation on Manet at our next meeting when we return.
Sounds like a wonderful trip planned. Looking forward to reading details about it. Love your thought about feeding the mind, body and soul.0 -
I am really focusing on fitness and health now so I think this is a good way to balance my life. Right now we are having repairs done to our house so today I will enjoy getting my house back together again so life will be easier next week. I have a special trip planned near the end of this month so this is great time to start a challenge like this because I have a lot to get done this month. I am just going to enjoy having all I need at hand again and getting back to a healthy routine again.
@Orphia I like this list whether depression is an issue or not. I have often thought we take for granted so much that we do that is positive in our lives and especially the little things. If we gave ourselves credit for brushing our teeth maybe we would be better at taking care of ourselves more.5 -
This September thread has gotten buried.
The electricity for a large chunk of our city went down today when a worker struck a power line. It’s amazing how many things that eliminates. I snuggled in my bed and read a book by flashlight and fell asleep. I was almost disappointed when the power came back on.2 -
This September thread has gotten buried.
The electricity for a large chunk of our city went down today when a worker struck a power line. It’s amazing how many things that eliminates. I snuggled in my bed and read a book by flashlight and fell asleep. I was almost disappointed when the power came back on.
So true! I think I’ve been posting on August still! Anyway, I agree with you about no electricity. It’s actually a relief in the beginning ; we were out for two days once and I felt so much calmer and read a lot by candlelight, too. I agree with you!1 -
I posted in August, too, by mistake. Lol!
This week is total indulgence time for me.
Yesterday, we walked along the Thames and then went to Evensong in St Paul's Cathedral.
Today I toured the Globe Theatre, and the Tate Modern in London, then had dinner in Carlucci's Italian Restaurant. Bliss!
Tomorrow we are going to have a tour round Buckingham Palace.4 -
Been drawing every day for 3 days (maybe more but I'd have to check).
Lay in the bath for longer this morning, because I'd been up early before my run and still had plenty of time to spare before work.
Bought my mum some flowers.4 -
TerriRichardson112 wrote: »I posted in August, too, by mistake. Lol!
This week is total indulgence time for me.
Yesterday, we walked along the Thames and then went to Evensong in St Paul's Cathedral.
Today I toured the Globe Theatre, and the Tate Modern in London, then had dinner in Carlucci's Italian Restaurant. Bliss!
Tomorrow we are going to have a tour round Buckingham Palace.
Oh, wow, I'd really love to go to the Tate Modern!!!
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Hello everyone! I'm new here (in the group), and although I've been a mfp member since 2011, I have not been active on here for ages. So now I want to get back to exercise, while ensuring that I'm being kind to myself. So, the self-care challenge seemed like a brilliant idea!
Plan for today: get outside and do a short run/power walk.
I have not left the house much recently due to study workload and anxiety/depression, so going outdoors (for fun(!) and not the grocery shopping) seems like a good first act of self-care.
Take care everybody!
Steph7 -
I love this idea. I found this thread yesterday at the last minute so I didn't get a chance to pissy. I have been having work done to my house as well. I spent the last two days putting the living room together with the new decorations and putting all the books back into the bookshelves that just made their way back in place.
Today, my self care was not giving up on myself. I have been doing a zombie themed C25K and right in the middle, it cut out and shoot down. It wouldn't let me start from where I had stopped and was going to make me start over. 6 months ago I would have just been done. Instead, since I knew where I was in the workout and I had another program going to record the workout, I finished it. I did all my running and walking and heel lifts. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday are my big workout days so I had to finish it the rest of the day I would have been sour. I then took a bike ride, went home for breakfast, and went to my martial arts class. I am tired but I feel so good!3 -
As a person with severe depression and anxiety, I'm glad I found this thread today.
I've been really working on self-care. When my symptoms get bad it's difficult for me to even get out of bed. Doing stuff like showering, washing my hair, brushing my teeth, eating healthy, etc. seems impossible. But I know that if I do these things I'll feel better about myself.
My self-care today was:
1. Went to a job interview for an new internal position in my company. I've been wanting to change my job for a long time and this was a positive step in the right direction. Also, the interview went really well, so I feel good about that.
2. Actually accepted a compliment instead of immediately disbelieving it. A Starbucks employee complimented my outfit and I smiled and said "thank you!" This also felt really good.
3. Made sure to get my steps in. I can't run much anymore due to injuries, but I can still walk! I try to walk as much as humanly possible every day.
Nice to meet all of you, and I look forward to the rest of the month!5 -
2
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@RespectTheKitty So happy you are here too!
Job interviews are incredibly tiring and scary! Hugs, you did brilliantly!!
With me, I'd be replaying the whole thing over and over (even though I knew it went well). I would need to observe myself doing that and remind myself that that's just me trying to do really well.
Great work getting your steps in on a day with such an event on.4 -
I experienced a vivid reminder today to slow the hell down. I have been going at full pace since school started back- new students, evening functions, own child doing college applications, etc. Feeling anxious and hectic.
So, I get out of the car for a meeting, bags covering my shoulders, coffee mug in hand, and suddenly I was propelled forward by an imaginary force onto the parking lot. I landed so fiercely on my hands , knees, wrist, ..... then had to pop back up and go sit in a meeting as if nothing happened. The teach point is this: Be purposeful with your steps. Stop racing through your day. Take your time. Stop and smell the roses. The world will keep spinning if I am a little bit late.
I didnt hurt myself thankfully except for sore ankle and knee caps. This weekend will be totally self care- my daughter and I will be home alone. I told her that I will be in my pajamas all weekend. We can watch movies and relax. I pledge not to do any housework. It can all wait. Xo
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RubyRed427 wrote: »I experienced a vivid reminder today to slow the hell down. I have been going at full pace since school started back- new students, evening functions, own child doing college applications, etc. Feeling anxious and hectic.
So, I get out of the car for a meeting, bags covering my shoulders, coffee mug in hand, and suddenly I was propelled forward by an imaginary force onto the parking lot. I landed so fiercely on my hands , knees, wrist, ..... then had to pop back up and go sit in a meeting as if nothing happened. The teach point is this: Be purposeful with your steps. Stop racing through your day. Take your time. Stop and smell the roses. The world will keep spinning if I am a little bit late.
I didnt hurt myself thankfully except for sore ankle and knee caps. This weekend will be totally self care- my daughter and I will be home alone. I told her that I will be in my pajamas all weekend. We can watch movies and relax. I pledge not to do any housework. It can all wait. Xo
I hope you aren't too sore tomorrow! Good lesson for all of us.1 -
@RubyRed427, glad you're ok! My mom (remember her . . . Jane Fonda lady?) recently broke her shoulder because she was walking faster than the Energizer Bunny to get somewhere, her flip-flop caught on the floor, and she skidded because of all that built-up speed. Of course, being her, she has healed quickly and completely, but we've had the same conversation . . . slow down! Be mindful. Again, glad you're good.
@TerriRichardson112, I'm so happy you're experiencing those wonderful things in London. I LOVE London and am vicariously enjoying the Globe, Tate Modern, and St. Paul's right along with you.
My joy-producing activity today is creating smoothie packs. Blanching, peeling, and slicing peaches, washing and hulling strawberries, blanching kale and squeezing it dry into balls a little bigger than golf balls. Then freeze all of the above on sheet trays. Then load up sandwich-size ziplocs with about 5 strawberries, 5 peach slices, and 1 kale ball and put in freezer. I love doing this because then all I have to do in the a.m. is dump one bag in the blender, add 1/2 banana, Greek yogurt, a splash of OJ, and enough milk or coconut water to thin it out enough. Takes about 45 seconds to do. Oh, also ground flaxseed. Yum! No added sugar needed. No ice needed.4 -
@donimfp What a fantastic idea! I am going to try that.3
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Buckingham Palace yesterday was amazing! Went to the Royal Academy after lunch. Haven't been their since my students days.
Spent the today in the V&A. What a warren, but packed with delights!3 -
@RespectTheKitty, I hope it makes you happy like it makes me. Once it's done it's so nice to have almost instant smoothies and no decisions to make about whether I have time or should just grab a bagel (which I also love but trying to get my fruit/veggie servings in).2
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I know my self care is going to sound strange, but today I appreciated grocery shopping. Normally I'm either running through with my list, not really thinking, or I'm stressed because I'm on some restrictive diet and there are so many things I can't eat, or I'm in a free for all and I hate myself.
Today, I started reading the benefits of my better relationship with food. I was able to walk through, only needing a handful of things, and actually look at things. I knew I could get anything and make it fit in my diet (in the lifestyle sense) and I'm not going to binge.
Also, while I don't normally reward myself with food, I did pick up a special dessert. The two lovely macarons below. They are from a local place and they are two flavors I've wanted to try, Rose and Earl grey.
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@donimfp I sure do remember your mom (Jane Fonda lady); wow, sorry to hear she broke her shoulder but so happy to hear it’s healing. I remember hearing about her many moons ago; she’s an inspiration.2
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Drew for a long time this morning.
Went for coffee with the parkrun gang after running my 125th parkrun.
Drew some more.
In the afternoon I sat in bed going through a classic vegetarian cookbook and got some nice ideas for cooking with veg.
Love the weekends!
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Just back from a festival on the Thames near Tower Bridge. I will be sorry to see this holiday end, but glad to get back home after this hectic week.
@skram01 Love the macaroons. Nothing should be banned. Lol! We choose, and choose wisely. And a little treat goes a long way.3 -
Drew for a long time this morning.
Went for coffee with the parkrun gang after running my 125th parkrun.
Drew some more.
In the afternoon I sat in bed going through a classic vegetarian cookbook and got some nice ideas for cooking with veg.
Love the weekends!
@Orphia Sounds like a truly wonderful day!
My self-care has been in the decluttering/beautifying/minimizing arena, I’m finally getting to the point where I can see light at the end of the tunnel! I’ve given away/tossed enough things that I can now move other things into those drawers/closets and wow, the spaces look so much larger! I woke up this morning facing a bookshelf that now looks like one from a home design magazine (for the first time ever!) and it made me SO HAPPY!
Minimized scarves from a large drawer to a medium-sized box. I used to wear them with jackets to hide my weight.
Ditto going through photos on my computer, labeling & consolidating photos into folders. Realizing how many times I would have used them, if I could have found them!
I will have to pace myself going forwards...I didn’t get any art or drawing in yesterday, and I miss it. 😜
If you have the time, which veg recipe are you most excited to try?
We had a simple stirfry last night: snap peas, red pepper, mushrooms, onions, olive oil. Absolutely delicious.3 -
Yesterday - went to a movie with my daughter. Very fun.
Today - Wednesday we finally made it to Aquafit and a sign said no hot water and we left. So this morning we finally went to aquafit after not getting there for awhile. Turned out it was just as well since they haven't had hot water for awhile. When I got back I weighed - not bad. Then I just laid down to think about the week and nodded off a bit too when my husband was making breakfast. I have been staying up later time this week just trying to get some me time (usually reading) before going to sleep. I got up afterwards and weighed again and I was back down to my recent low. That time to myself and a tiny nap was self care for today but also for the week.3 -
My self care today was going for a nice long walk around a lovely park, then coming home and having pumpkin spice chai tea with almond milk (YUM).
My fiance is currently out doing geek stuff, so I am now sitting in bed under my weighted blanket, snuggling my cat and listening to baseball on the radio. For anyone with anxiety, I highly recommend getting a weighted blanket. It was a little pricey, but in my opinion it is worth every penny for the comfort it gives me. And my cat... well, he's priceless. 5
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