February 2019 Self-care Challenge
PKM0515
Posts: 3,089 Member
A day late, but new month, new thread. January hasn't been the best self-care month for me, so I'm looking for some inspiration! 
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Replies
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Good morning! I am going to focus on self care this month with gusto!
I did meditate for 19 days in a row in January but ruined my streak yesterday because I stayed out too late and when I meditated it was already Saturday!
Thanks for setting up the thread!!2 -
This week proved too difficult to stay on track with everything, but it's over. I suppose my self care is starting healthy living again instead of giving up because of a bad week.2
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RubyRed427 wrote: »Good morning! I am going to focus on self care this month with gusto!
I did meditate for 19 days in a row in January but ruined my streak yesterday because I stayed out too late and when I meditated it was already Saturday!
Thanks for setting up the thread!!
Since you didn't go to sleep, I think your "Saturday" meditation counts as Friday, especially if you plan to meditate again today. 2 -
Yesterday I took a day to "do nothing." I hung around the house in my pajamas and watched the office. I finished setting up February in my bullet journal and continued working on my home collection. My two big habits I'm trying to build this month are at least ten minutes of yoga a day and at least ten minutes of reading a day. These are both party of creating a better sleep routine. So far, I'm on track for February.4
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I've just recommended this thread to @jenilla1
While I'm here I'll also repost this.
Here's a list of self-care tips for the times we are struggling:- 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.
https://themighty.com/2018/08/realistic-self-care-ideas/
Today I'm doing lots of organising to prepare for an upcoming holiday.
Cleaning, washing, packing, instructions for mum who's minding the house and cats, making reminders for tasks this week on my ToDoist app. Now I'm soaking my feet so I can do a pedicure.
Feels so Zen to be easing the stress for the whole week before I go away!11 -
Went for my first post-surgery walk outdoors yesterday and overdid it. I was feeling better and super excited to finally leave the house. Too far, too fast...made my body angry. I'll try again in a couple of days - and take it easier next time!
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Self care: Getting out of my comfort zone, pushing aside guilt, and speaking my truth despite how uncomfortable. These last 8 days have been all that and more.
Today, I’ll have lunch with my cousin who is like a brother to me. We grew up on the same street and were best friends. I haven’t seen him for two years because of busy lives, so I reached out to him and we are meeting at noon. The past was not pleasant for him ; very violent childhood but he has risen above it. I am so proud of him. I can’t wait to hug him.3 -
@Orphia, thank you for reposting those suggestions! I've been wanting to do that, but can't figure out how to copy/paste on my Kindle and rarely get on my slow laptop.
Sometimes we really do need reminders about the basics. I've not been taking my medicine as I should (No. 12).2 -
Thanks for getting February started
Made myself hang out with friends when I wasn’t in the mood and it was great
My goal to say my truth even though it is scary to me3 -
I am going to join, if you don't mind me being a couple of days late. I'm getting pretty good at doing the calories and exercise, but should keep in mind the self-care as well. If I don't keep up my self-care then what is the point of doing the other stuff?
I'l start tonight with a nice bath before bed. Then work on building a morning self-care routine in the morning.4 -
I want to join, but I've been struggling to come up with a goal. I think for February I need to work towards remembering that my value is not determined by my job. So my goals are:
- Speak to someone (voice to voice - texting doesn't count for me) about something that is not work-related each day this month
- Practice separating work from the rest of my life by actively picturing myself closing the door on work when I get in the car at the end of the day
- Writing down 3 positive qualities in myself each morning before I leave my house
I'm glad to be joining all of you!5 -
LOVEI want to join, but I've been struggling to come up with a goal. I think for February I need to work towards remembering that my value is not determined by my job. So my goals are:
- Speak to someone (voice to voice - texting doesn't count for me) about something that is not work-related each day this month
- Practice separating work from the rest of my life by actively picturing myself closing the door on work when I get in the car at the end of the day
- Writing down 3 positive qualities in myself each morning before I leave my house
I'm glad to be joining all of you!
LOVE you goals
Will try the same. Number 3
Great time yesterday reconnecting with old friend2 -
Feb 4
Learning more & practicing sketching faces at different angles.
Building more techniques for eyes ears nose mouth
Painted for 2 hours in a coffee shop.
For me, it’s all about the DO, now!
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Self care: Last night, I took a hot bath and played fav music.
Painted an ocean scene - will go online to learn how to paint trees (evergreen)
Signed up for painting class on Wednesday’s.
Will resign today from a committee that it too consuming and I didn’t feel I add value or they add value
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I really think, based on how poorly sells care is going so far this year haha, that one of my over arguing goals this year needs to be more self care. And not passive care in the sense that I'm forgiving myself for things but actively being mindful of taking time for myself while still being serious about my goals.
So far this month I've taken my vitamins everyday which is good. But I realized that much of my self care revolves around allowing myself to eat at maintenance or have a lazy day and telling myself I deserve it. I'm at the point where I need to start warming those days again. So maybe that's my self care for today is figuring out why I'm giving myself a pass and getting serious about my weight loss and overall health again.
I feel like I sound so serious when I post in here. I promise that I know how to have fun!!! Haha.1 -
RubyRed427 wrote: »Self care: Last night, I took a hot bath and played fav music.
Painted an ocean scene - will go online to learn how to paint trees (evergreen)
Signed up for painting class on Wednesday’s.
Will resign today from a committee that it too consuming and I didn’t feel I add value or they add value
@RubyRed427
Bravo for taking care of yourself! And yes sometimes that means resigning or figuring out that something doesn’t serve yourself. I know it’s difficult, but congratulations!1 -
@skram01- When I feel like being lazy and skipping my exercise for the day, I remind myself how good I feel afterwards. It helps to see daily exercise as something we do as care for ourselves (mind, body and soul), rather than a punishment or penance. If it's hard to find the motivation to do the workout you planned, tell yourself that you deserve to have an easy workout and just go for a short walk or some light stretching. Almost always, I end up doing my whole workout and sometimes even more. Getting up and going is the hardest part!2
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@rubyred427- Good for you. It sounds like you are making some great strides in the self-care department. Congrats!
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I am continuing to struggle with concentration at work. It always takes me most of the morning to wrap my head around my work for the day, and then I end up scrambling at the end of the day to get things done. Today I woke up a half hour early and had a cup of coffee at home and did my daily sudoku rather than waiting until I got to work to do this. I also tried envisioning my day and how it would play out on my drive in. Both of those things helped a little, as I have gotten more done this morning than most mornings, but I am still sitting here perusing the MFP forums rather than tacking the mountains of things on my to-do list. This is kind of new territory for me because I am not used to struggling with this type of lack of self discipline.
I am not sure where this falls in the "self care" challenge, but until I get this turned around, I will not be "right" with myself. Any suggestions on tips to improve focus concentration are greatly appreciated!2 -
lporter229 wrote: »I am continuing to struggle with concentration at work. It always takes me most of the morning to wrap my head around my work for the day, and then I end up scrambling at the end of the day to get things done. Today I woke up a half hour early and had a cup of coffee at home and did my daily sudoku rather than waiting until I got to work to do this. I also tried envisioning my day and how it would play out on my drive in. Both of those things helped a little, as I have gotten more done this morning than most mornings, but I am still sitting here perusing the MFP forums rather than tacking the mountains of things on my to-do list. This is kind of new territory for me because I am not used to struggling with this type of lack of self discipline.
I am not sure where this falls in the "self care" challenge, but until I get this turned around, I will not be "right" with myself. Any suggestions on tips to improve focus concentration are greatly appreciated!
@lporter229
First things to check: The Basics
** Are you under stress?
Sleeping well?
Eating nutritiously? Evenly spread throughout the day? Enough calories?
Drinking sips of water throughout your day?
Second tier to check: Underlying Physical Cause
When was your last physical?
** When were your last blood tests?
I had trouble concentrating (and no energy), and by the time I got to doc, I was Severely Anemic & my kidneys were failing. I learned anemia comes on so slowly that most folks don’t know they have it, (I also did sudoku’s & had to rally myself to complete even simple tasks.)
Third: work/task completion
Do you like your job?
Try the “3 Most Important” technique:
Sounds like you have a “mountain” of things to do...I found the “What are the 3 most important tasks?” approach helped me get through my stack. Identify the top 3, and let nothing else distract you. Next day, ask the same. Getting those big jobs off your plate makes you feel great & is energizing & after a few days, you’re in great shape again.
Note: I’m not saying you’re anemic, but it’s probably worth getting to the doc if the First List is all good.
I hope this helps.
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@MadisonMolly2017 Thank you! That was a very helpful post. It made me really think about these things.
Am I under stress? Well, this goes kind of hand in hand with "Do I like my job"? 2 years ago I would have told you that I have a wonderful job. Kind of a dream job. I am an analytical chemist and quality manager for a large packaging company. We do product testing in support of product stewardship for all of the global mill facilities in our company. Two years ago, the company that I worked for merged with another company that had an entirely different business philosophy. The result was that we doubled the number of facilities that we support and also got hit at the same time with a 25% reduction in staff (from 8 to 6 people). The corporate product stewardship philosophy went from being very proactive to almost completely reactive to problems as they arise. So yes, it has really changed the way things are done around here and the work environment is a lot more stressful and the work less enjoyable. Typically I would take these new challenges head on, but I just can't make myself do it.
I eat well and exercise and I do get pretty good sleep most nights. Sometimes I feel that I drink too much alcohol, but I have been making a conscious effort at reducing this as part of my self care and have done pretty well over the past few months. I thought it would make a huge difference, but it really hasn't. I have Crohn's disease and get my medication by infusion every six weeks, at which time they do a complete blood panel. They typically only contact me with the results if something is out of whack. The last time I saw my numbers, my kidney functions were solid, but I was on the lower end of the spectrum for iron. In the past I have noticed these issues cropping up during January and February and I have always attributed it to mild SAD, but it has never been quite this bad.
I really appreciate your taking the time to respond to my post. I like your suggestion of tacking only the top three most important tasks and I am off to get started on that!4 -
@lporter229
Oh, you are most welcome! I’m truly glad it was helpful.
(BTW- have Crohn’s too.)
I have to say your response helped me, too! I was feeling slightly under the weather & was thinking of blowing off exercise for first time in over a year & blowing off my calorie goal...BOTH very unlike me. I saw your response, smiled, and thought “I love helping people!” And immediately went down to our ex bike. Thought I’d just do 20 mins. Long story short, an hour later, I’d hit my daily exercise goal, and ate a simple & nourishing reasonable dinner. So Thank You!!
I hope thing improve at work or you decide to move on. When we care so much, the changes you describe impact us deeply. You deserve to be happy.
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Good morning @lporter229 Wishing a better week! I once read when the threshold of pain gets too high (or stress level) you will make a change. Perhaps, another job opportunity is going to open. I hope it gets better. Alcohol doesnt help much; it causes anxiety and depression. I think you did a 30 day break if I remember correctly. Anyway, I dont have more to add because @MadisonMolly2017 had some excellent suggestions for us all. Xo1
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Self care: I’m fighting a cold. Took echinacea and teaspoon of honey. Anyone else have cold remedies for cutting a cold short?0
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RubyRed427 wrote: »Self care: I’m fighting a cold. Took echinacea and teaspoon of honey. Anyone else have cold remedies for cutting a cold short?
@RubyRed427
For me, staying overly warm definitely helps: shirt/sweater&jacket under a few blankets with hot tea. Sometimes a heating pad. All the rest you know: tons of continual fluids & rest. Oh! And funny comedies❣️
I hope you knock off the bug before it takes hold! I used to use Airborne. Don’t know if it’s still around.. And my doc said suck on hard candies. Obese at the time I questioned him. Yep, he said, keep back of throat moist; bugs don’t take hold. Rarely do it, but there you go!2 -
Made it to the 2-week mark, post-surgery. I can drive again and go on longer, daily walks now. So happy to get up off the couch!
Gratitude to the rescue! I have so much to be thankful for, and to look forward to, and that's what I need to focus on. 
Since I still can't do most of my favorite self-care routines (like running and yoga) for a couple more months, I'll just have to focus on making sure that I do these daily walks so the increasingly obvious decline in my fitness doesn't get too depressing over time. I've still got a ways to go in my recovery.
But I've got this! Really, I do. I got through the first two weeks, and I can get through the next two!
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MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »RubyRed427 wrote: »Self care: I’m fighting a cold. Took echinacea and teaspoon of honey. Anyone else have cold remedies for cutting a cold short?
@RubyRed427
For me, staying overly warm definitely helps: shirt/sweater&jacket under a few blankets with hot tea. Sometimes a heating pad. All the rest you know: tons of continual fluids & rest. Oh! And funny comedies❣️
I hope you knock off the bug before it takes hold! I used to use Airborne. Don’t know if it’s still around.. And my doc said suck on hard candies. Obese at the time I questioned him. Yep, he said, keep back of throat moist; bugs don’t take hold. Rarely do it, but there you go!
THank you so much for the tips. I forgot about airborne and do have some in my cupboard. It was invented by a teacher.
I took echinacea and nasal saline spray, vitamin C, and gargled with salt water. Seems to have helped a little. It’s now a mild cold. I like the hard candy idea (Ludens cough drops taste good). I appreciate your tips!! Xoxo0 -
Self care: Acrylic painting class last night. Painted pots with geraniums in them. Makes me crave spring!
This weekend will be total self care: Going to a scrapbook workshops with my friends and sister. We laugh and chat and solve our problems.... oh yeah, we also scrapbook.
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I've just realised that the posts I've been making on my phone aren't working
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In the UK Today is Time to Talk Day 2019.
Mental health problems affect one in four of us, yet people are still afraid to talk about it. Time to Talk Day encourages everyone to talk about mental health.
This year’s Time to Talk Day is all about bringing together the right ingredients, to have a conversation about mental health. Whether that’s tea, biscuits and close friends or a room full of people challenging mental health stigma, we want you to get talking.
However you do it, make sure you have a conversation about mental health this Time to Talk Day.
We had a webinar in work, to discuss things like:
When do we notice a decline in our mental health
What Strategies we put in place to help our mental health
How do we help colleagues when we notice them acting differently
I think it's brilliant that these conversations are now happening, but we still have a long way to go.
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