Self-Care tips: 20 Ways to get through difficult days
How to get through those crawl under the duvet days
We all get those days. The let me crawl back under the duvet rather than face my actual life days. Sometimes they feel like, or can even be entire weeks.
As frustrating as it can be to hear ‘this too shall pass’ when we’re in it, it is true – it will pass. Things will change and nothing stays the same forever. Knowing what will help to soften the edges of those feelings and lift your mood (even if it’s temporary) is so important. I’ve spent several years working on developing healthy self care practises, they didn’t come naturally for me so it’s been a journey of finding out what works and what doesn’t. These are my top 20…
Breathing; yep, I know we do it all the time, but slowing the breath is one of the most effective ways to reduce anxiety and stress.
Sleep. Sometimes rest is what we need. The HALT’S! Are you hungry, angry, lonely or tired? Listen to your body.
Exercise. On the other side of that is exercise. If that doesn’t sound good to you, maybe movement would work better. Whether it’s walking, yoga or lifting weights at the gym. Whatever makes you feel good. Moving your body and upping your heart rate will increase the serotonin and endorphins, naturally giving you a little boost.
Spend time with people you love. Usually a good thing, unless they’ve been stressing you out! Then totally get the need for time alone.
Write it all down. Journaling has helped me hugely, from getting clarity around situations and my feelings to recognising that even through the difficult times, I have a lot I am grateful for. It also helps if you need to vent but don’t want to directly say it all at someone!
Spend time in nature. Nature is healing. It’s powerful, beautiful, and totally out of our control. This is good for the soul and for perspective. You don’t have to be anything other than where you are in the present moment in nature.
Buy yourself flowers. Because you deserve them and a room always feels nicer with flowers in it. I buy myself flowers a lot. I love them!
Declutter. Whether its a wardrobe clear out or sorting through bits you don’t use or need anymore, clearing out the old and making some space feels great.
Change your bed. (And how will this help you might be thinking?!) I feel that energy can linger, and if I’ve been feeling low or not sleeping well, having a physical cleanse of things can really help. Fresh sheets, the smell of clean laundry is the best! So, spend a little time refreshing the energy in your space and make it your sanctuary.
Make a list of your goals and dreams. Everything. It could be climbing Everest; it could be mastering cooking a souffle. Whatever it is, put it down on paper. Imagine how good it would feel to do that and achieve and know that you absolutely can get there. Focus on where you’d like to be and know that it is possible.
Make a list of your achievements. Because sometimes, we need a little reminder of our own awesomeness.
Treat yourself to a massage or spa day. They’re not called a treatment for nothing! So if you can, book in for a bit of pampering. Doing this at home can be just as special, if that’s not possible, giving yourself the time and space to do nothing other than have a bath, light candles…why not take a book and a cup of tea with you. Massage your skin, take time working into scars and marks and show them love. Your body bears the signs of your life, you are here today because of it and that is beautiful.
Yoga / stretching. Connecting to the body can help to relieve stress and emotions. Sometimes it brings them up too, and it’s ok to let them out. If you need to have a cry release it. Yin yoga is lovely for slowing it all down.
Eat your favourite foods. Sometimes I just need pasta pesto.
Pick up the phone. Sharing is powerful. Even if you don’t feel like talking, letting someone know where you’re at with a text or a voice note can bring a shift.
Have a movie night. PJ’s, Jurassic Park (you choose your fave film!), cups of tea and cookies curled up on the sofa.
Ask for time. This one can feel a little harder to do. It requires us letting people know that we’re not in the best place, and that we can’t do everything right now. But, asking for time so we can process and just be is one of the most loving things we can do for ourselves. It might just be an hour of the day that is solely set aside for you, whatever it is, use it to take care of yourself and try and do one thing on this list.
Take a digital time out. Disconnect for a bit, leave your phone at home when you go for a walk, turn social media notifications off. Allow yourself the space to just be. When life feels a bit much, these can feel pretty overwhelming at times and are unhelpful.
Cook yourself dinner. And have dessert!
Listen to music. Music is an incredibly powerful tool for triggering a psychological response in the brain that then reflects our emotions, bringing them to our consciousness. So whether you need to let energy out and dance around your bedroom, or release some emotions and let go, music can help you find your way through it.
