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Self care ideas

14 replies

clpsmum · 12/02/2024 18:42

I won't bite everyone with the details of my life but it is extremely stressful and this will never change! I really need to try and carve some time out for myself and am looking for ideas that will help me relax for as little money as possible!! Anyone got any ideas?

OP posts:
clpsmum · 12/02/2024 18:43

** bore not bite!!

OP posts:
ticheldreams · 12/02/2024 18:43

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

clpsmum · 12/02/2024 18:57

Why on earth has this broken rules?

OP posts:
shellyleppard · 12/02/2024 18:59

Hi op how about joining a book club or visiting your library if you have one?? YouTube have some really good relaxation music/videos. Think there is a free NHS mindfulness app too x

spanishviola · 12/02/2024 19:01

Meditation apps, even a short 3 minute one can reset you in a stressful moment.

PaminaMozart · 12/02/2024 19:09

Exercise is the best self care.

Walking & running
Swimming
Stretches
Yoga
Pilates
Weight & resistance training

AmaryllisChorus · 12/02/2024 19:12

Create tiny pockets of fun every day. E.g. when you wake up, play a few of your favourite songs from your teenage years as you get breakfast/kids/pets ready.

Wake up 15 mins before others and brew a fresh coffee with frothy milk (just heat in a jug in microwave and beat with a whisk until frothy) Drink it slowly, watching the moon go down or the sun go up or listening to the birds or checking the sky for the day ahead's weather. A bit of tranquillity and nature. If you don't like coffee, tea or herbal tea.

Have a hot bath or shower. If you enjoy it, add bubbles to the bath and light candles or play soft music or read an escapist book.

Watch comedies. Anything from favourite clips to episodes of favourite old sit coms or a whole hour of stand up by your favourite comedians. Try comedians you don't normally watch. Even they can make you giggle.

Aim to have 5 veg a day and 2-3 fruit. Make veggie soup - carrots, potatoes, leeks or onions with herbs or a handful of lentils and some spices, pureed.

Do 5-10 minute youtube or other online fitness classes - yoga or HIIT or target areas you want to strengthen or stretch in your body. You can also get great meditation, affirmations, Ted talks etc - 5-15 mins.

AmaryllisChorus · 12/02/2024 19:25

Three more:

Spend time in nature. Even if you only have 10 mins and live in an inner city, go for a slow walk and focus on the sky, the seasonal stage of the trees or flowers in gardens.

Journal. Buy a notebook or open up a private blog or document online. Don't just offload your concerns. Uplifting journalling is immensely powerful. Awe journals - where you actively look for beauty in nature each day and write about it, are known to lift spirits. So do gratitude journals where you focus on the small good things that happened that day - maybe a shop assistant was helpful to you or Vodaphone offered you a free coffee or you read a poem on Facebook that you loved.

Look for free or very cheap stuff in your area. Free lunchtime concerts in local churches, or very cheap short acoustic promo gigs by well known bands; cheap cinema deals, free walks and talks etc. Try to do a couple of these a month so you have something new happening and something to look forward to.

clpsmum · 12/02/2024 19:35

These are all brilliant thank you so much xx

OP posts:
SongbirdGarden · 12/02/2024 19:39

Ask yourself "What is the best thing l can do for myself right now?"

ssd · 12/02/2024 19:41

Lovely tips here

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 12/02/2024 20:56

I've got an app called Bend. It's basically stretches/yin yoga but it makes me better quite quickly. I think I paid about £20. It has different routines and you can make your own too.

vincettenoir · 12/02/2024 21:10

Borrowing books from the library, yoga and meditation on You Tube and movies on Film 4/iPlayer can be good stress relievers.

RosesAndHellebores · 12/02/2024 21:14

Listen to the birds. I've an app called Cornelly laboratories. You can record birdsong and the app identifies it. You can then look up the bird and build a little mind library about birds and their song.

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