To ask how you self care?

[PricklyCactuss]

It's been a rough week, well and truly emotionally and physically exhausted and in need of some self care.

How do you each look after yourself and chill in the middle of stress. I have a few hours to myself

Nothing beats a good stomping long walk (preferably with a dog) and some really good upbeat music to listen to....or the sound of the birds. Always clears my head and makes me feel better. Then a lovely long hot bath when you get home with a good strong cup of coffee. That's my pressure valve.

General tidying always seems to calm me down - I put on some Enya and quietly sort through a few drawers, or re-arrange my wardrobe.

I've recently turned our smallest bedroom into a little reading room, just for me and my umpty thousand books. I've spent many contented hours in there, organising my books, reading, having a snooze. I burn lavender candles in there and they're very relaxing (DH hates the smell and won't have it in the rest of the house).

I have a regular OPI luxury pedicure, and the therapist is fantastic and treats me to a full foot massage with a bit of reflexology. It's bliss.

I've just binge watched Breaking Bad for the second time in the name of self care

"General tidying always seems to calm me down - I put on some Enya and quietly sort through a few drawers, or re-arrange my wardrobe."

"Nothing beats a good stomping long walk (preferably with a dog) and some really good upbeat music to listen to....or the sound of the birds."

I second these.

Retail therapy if I can afford it.

Meeting up with one or two of my friends who are a little bit spiritual for a good old natter about the life.

I used to love to have a nice hot bath or have a massage but can't bare that sort of thing now after dc. Strange, isn't it.

Swimming
Long walk
Nice coffee and scone

Hope things are looking up OP

I play Design Home on my phone. It's the most addictive and satisfying thing ever.

I try and stay away from social media/internet/gadgets.
Getting outside helps me, walking on the beach or the countryside.
If I need to stay at home, then I will switch everything off and go sit in the garden with a drink.
All the best

I don't. I just carry on. I work from home and do spend a lot of time alone, so maybe I don't need to do anything else in particular. I think looking at water and being outdoors amongst nature would be quite soothing.

Helpful stuff. I need. This weekend i farmed out the kids and slept and slept and slept. Couldn't go on

If it's daytime and my girls are in school/preschool, I drive to the beach (5 mins) and sit in my car and watch the waves. I don't get out so I don't have to risk engaging in conversation with anyone haha.

If it's evening I'll get the kids bathed and in pjs, sit them down to watch tv and I'll get in the bath for half an hour. This is happening a fair bit atm due to being preg and exhausted.

If it's night, then a clean, fresh bed is always a good thing, sometimes I'll switch everything electrical off and just read (if I've got a good book) or if not, I'll binge watch something I like in bed.

Essentially though I feel better usually after a good nights sleep!

a bath, chocolate and a good book xx

I go to a cafe with a book, sit with a cup of tea or coffee, and just read with my earphones on with music I like. Or I'll go to a place like Lush and get a bath bomb (about £4.50) and use it that night, with the door locked and I watch Poirot on my iPad, which is well away from the tub.

As I've been preggo, I've been allowing myself some alcohol free wine, watch some trash TV, and just let myself veg out with a piece of nice cake from M&S. Especially as the last few times I've needed my hubby to help me out of the tub!

Curl up on the sofa with a box set. Often together with the (adult) dd. We find detective series particularly soothing, Poirot (Suchet) and Lewis especially so. Something about the predictability and the moral compass. Jeeves and Wooster also works well.