Self care ideas?

[SunnyGreenPombear]

Lately just feel like I'm drowning, I keep getting recurring bouts of burn out, depression, anxiety - I have recently been diagnosed with PTSD from birth trauma and I just think the inflammation from all the stress is making me so unwell, ironically it's causing me to suffer with extreme health anxiety.

How do people manage? I'm sure I have ADHD too and I'm waiting for a diagnosis but we all know that is a very long waiting list. I'm due to start therapy next month which I am really sure will benefit me..

What are little things you do each day to look after your wellbeing to not lead to burnout? I know it's all circumstantial and personal to each and everyone but I would just like some ideas - I'm seriously lacking motivation and energy to do anything.

Any ideas are welcome, and ideas maybe beneficial to share to help other people 💖

Gosh, I’d love some suggestions!

I’ve fixed myself in a mindset that what I truly need is financial freedom. A lottery win will sort me, alas it isn’t a realistic life plan.

I can take some time out and get my nails done, but it doesn’t really change the life I’m in. The helplessness, the lack of control, the loss of time, being directionless.

I don’t crave being rich, I crave stability, security and freedom.

I use a wellbeing journal when I’m feeling a bit low. It helps to think about the things to have gratitude for and to be conscious of things that contribute to how you feel like sleep, eating well or drinking enough water.

https://www.papier.com/wellness/?utm_cid=384643229&utm_aid=1198468274016424&msclkid=f551fd139e3e10bb4aa695ed07f9a88a&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%5BUK%5BSRCH%5BBRAND%5BPROS%5D%3A%20Generic%20-%20Acquisition&utm_term=papier%20wellness%20journal&utm_content=%5BUK%5BSTN_NAJ_WEL%5D%20Journal%20%7C%20Wellness%20%7C%20Pure%20Terms%20%7C%20Phrase

Anxiety due to a death in the family is playing havoc with my sleep, so I take magnesium glycinate. I read at night and have a clutter free bedroom.
Im currently enjoying hot chocolates while watching old films, and not caring about the calories!
Ive also got my Xmas PJ’s and fluffy blanket out, and don’t care that it’s still October!
look after yourself

I'm sorry you're having such a rubbish time at the mo! I have ADHD and when I start to realise I'm approaching burnout, the first thing I do is make sure I'm getting enough sleep each night. I've found t's the number one thing that helps with my ADHD.

I find I need to withdraw a bit until I'm feeling more balanced and less overwhelmed - it may not be the healthiest but I find it helps me reset. I need about a week's worth of clear evenings and a relaxed weekend and then I feel back on track - it's not always possible depending on commitments but I try to pare it back where I can. Then I make sure I have some nice things planned after that, seeing friends, having days out doing things I like, being a bit wholesome etc. I avoid watching the news when I'm struggling, it's too negative and stressful.

I'm still figuring my ADHD out and know other people find healthy eating and exercise helps, but I'm yet to get a grasp on that for me.

Is there something you enjoy doing, that you could easily work into your day, every day or most days? It could be:
Reading
Doing your nails
Enjoying a quality coffee/ hot chocolate/ wine
Wearing lip gloss
Wear your favourite perfume
Adult colouring book / jigsaw
Knitting, crochet, other craft
Sitting in your garden for 5 minutes
Taking a 10 minute walk
Writing down 3 things to be grateful for
Exchanging messages with a friend

I don't know you, so maybe none of these work for you, but I'm sure you can think of 10 more!

-I enjoy growing veg. This time of year, you can still grow radish, lettuce and other quick growing crops on a windowsill if you don't have outdoor space
-Go for a walk in your lunch break or at least sit outside and get some sunshine. Assuming you live in the UK, especially at this time of year where its getting darker, getting sunshine really helps with sleep
-Chair yoga. Lots of videos online and mainly only 10-15mins so easy to fit in

Mindfulness.
So where possible whatever you are doing. Do that only and give yourself over to tagt task

specific things that might help you refocus
Express gratitude
Be in the service of others
be in nature and appreciate it
breath deeply while laying on the floor
guided meditation
yoga
talk with a friend
enjoy something delicious
take yourself out for a coffee/tea

A heated over blanket
A microwaveable eye mask
Lavender body lotion
Toy with a heart beat

When I was struggling with mild anxiety and depression earlier this year, I started keeping a gratitude journal, which massive helped.

I also started doing jigsaws, which really helped me turn my mind off when the thoughts were racing.

Largely better now, though my poor dad has become very ill in the last week or so which is a worry. Getting out and about as much as I can has helped, and also spending some time with my lovely little cat! Getting support from friends has also been brilliant.

These are such lovely ideas thank you so much, and I wish I could give you all a hug! Things feel so difficult, I don't know if it's the age I'm at with more responsibilities, I think the cost of everything is definitely a large factor for everyone at the moment - I'm working so many hours to try and keep our heads a float but everything goes up constantly like our water, gas, rent, the kids clubs - but I also do know and feel so fortunate to have the lovely things we have and actually consider a lot of it luxury.
I am a forest school leader so I get plenty of time in nature and my whole role is based around wellbeing and showing others how to slow down etc I just find myself stuck in an endless cycle of working, working, burn out, rest, back to working etc... work have been really wonderful and allowed me some time to get back to full health before I return because I've physically been quite unwell. I think the biggest issue is not being able to sleep which I am certain is a result of my ADHD, funnily enough my dad has always told me "were all night owls in this family" 20 something years on I realise most of us likely have ADHD!
I have bought some embroidery today to try and I have a lovely half term planned of relaxing this week -
I think the point of keeping evenings clear is such a good one, I'm very guilty for experiencing fomo and wanting to do everything with everyone, but it drains me so much!
Thank you so much for all taking the time to reply, I really do appreciate it.

I hope you're all looking after yourselves 💖

I love this. I am coming out the other side of a horrible divorce and everything seems so overwhelming I don’t have the
time or energy to look after my
wellbeing.
there are some lovely simple
ideas here

The thing about mindfulness is that it needs to be something you enjoy doing, or it certainly does for me. If the activity is something I don't enjoy, or even if it's something I just feel neutral about, I find it very hard to become immersed and focus on the moment.

@shizgigzim sorry to hear this, I'm glad these ideas can help 💖 I think just aiming for one small thing each day for yourself and you'll get there! Today I booked myself a dentist appointment 😂