Self care activities are a basic enough concept, right? Feeding yourself, getting enough sleep, and drinking enough water seems pretty easy, especially when life is going smoothly. But what about when life isn’t going smoothly? What about the times when finding time to eat nutritious food and get enough sleep feels impossible? That definitely is me sometimes.&nbsp;I wanted to share all the importance of self care. Sometimes I feel poorly and I can’t do much, and sometimes I feel amazing and can do bigger self care activities. In any situation, you can prioritize self care strategies in small and big ways.&nbsp;<h2>Self Care List for When You Feel Unwell</h2>The patience and care that we give ourselves when we are feeling sick still applies when we are not feeling our best mentally. Saying that we are going to do some self care when we don’t feel well seems like an impossible task. During these times, self care isn’t doing a facemask or having a bubble bath. Rather, it can be much more simple.&nbsp;I put together a list of small self care activities for when you are not feeling your best.&nbsp;<ul><li>Practice deep breathing exercises or meditation. You can do this laying in bed or sitting on the couch. This will help you feel grounded and calm. </li><li>Reach out to a trusted friend or loved one for support. Talking to someone about feeling unwell helps me feel a lot lighter. </li><li>Limit exposure to stressful media or news. Has anyone else been falling into this trap recently? I know I have. Pumping the breaks on news exposure is a great self care activity for when you feel badly. </li><li>Engage in light, gentle exercise like a short walk. I love a little walk to get me out of a funk, it always makes me feel better</li><li>Prepare nourishing, comforting meals. Self care can start just by feeding yourself something good and healthy. </li><li>Prioritize getting enough rest and sleep. This is super hard, especially because my thoughts keep me up at night. But making sure you are protecting your rest is key. </li><li>Seek professional help, such as speaking to a therapist or a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://peers.net/">peer supporter</a>. Going to a therapist is the purest form of self care- making sure you feel seen and heard!</li></ul>These self care activities will help make sure you are taking care of yourself without putting too much thought into what you need to do. Sometimes, it’s nice to have a little checklist telling you what to do to take care of yourself. When I’m not feeling well, even getting enough sunlight feels tough. This list reminds me to do the things that make me feel more balanced.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Self Care Techniques for Every Day</h2>Sometimes, I don’t feel amazing, but I don’t feel terrible either. On days like these, it’s super important for me to make sure I am taking care of myself while treating myself to some of my favorite things.&nbsp;Here is how to practice self care when you need an every day pick me up:<ul><li>Spend time in nature, whether it’s a park, garden, or hiking trail. This does not have to be super strenuous- even sitting outside is a form of self care for me. </li><li>Write in a journal to process your thoughts and feelings. Journaling provides a clean slate for me to share what I am thinking without feeling worried about how it is received. </li><li>Listen to calming music. What is calming is different for everyone- look back at some of your old favorites and treat yourself by taking a trip down memory lane. I personally have been loving early 2010s Jonas Brothers, but that’s just me. </li><li>Engage in a hobby or creative activity you enjoy. For some people, a hobby can take up a ton of energy. I love a good low energy craft to treat myself on the day to day. Here are some examples!<ul><li>Knitting or crochet</li><li>Origami</li><li>Friendship bracelets</li><li>Coloring books</li></ul></li><li>Practice gratitude by reflecting on things you’re thankful for. At the end of the day, I like to write down 3 good things that happened that day. This helps me remember how much good there is out there. </li><li>Connect with a community. Talking to friends or family is often the best way to feel taken care of day to day. I never feel better than after a big laugh with my friend.</li><li>Plan and look forward to a small, enjoyable activity or event. I LOVE planning little dates and activities for myself, it’s a great way to remind myself how much I love… me!</li></ul>Self care activities best when you can meet your basic needs and give yourself a little pick me up. Even on days I don’t feel amazing, just making sure I am taking care of can make me feel good. This way, I maintain my balance and get to appreciate the good things that come from an ordinary day.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Self Care List for When You Feel Great</h2>On days where I feel great, I am not shy about celebrating it. Life goes by fast, and it is so important to me that I take advantage of when I feel really good and invest my time in things that bring me joy.&nbsp; So, on the days I feel amazing, I have self care goals that take a bit more energy.&nbsp;Here is a list of self care practices I use when I want to go the extra mile in my self care.&nbsp;<ul><li>Engage in physical activity that you find energizing, like dance, yoga, or swimming. I love exercise, but I sometimes fall into a rut. Doing special activities like dancing feels amazing, especially when I have extra energy. </li><li>Explore a new skill or learn something new. When I feel good, I like to take the opportunity to try something out and see if i like it! This could be a new restaurant, new hobby, or new exercise routine, this is a way I am practicing self-care</li><li>Volunteer or find ways to give back to your community. There is truly nothing that feels better than giving back. </li><li>Plan a fun, adventurous outing. I love to rope my friends into a little day trip for a self care group activity. This is so self care to me, it makes me feel amazing. </li><li>Maintain a consistent sleep routine. Sometimes, you want to do it all. I’ve learned that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.peers.net/2024/05/09/what-it-feels-like-student-athlete-mental-health/">sleep is important no matter how you’re feeling</a>. </li><li>Treat yourself to a pampering activity, such as a massage, face mask, or a relaxing bath. Taking the extra effort and making sure I feel relaxed and taken care of is so special to me, and one of my favorite forms of self care.&nbsp;</li></ul><h2>Self Care is for Everyone!</h2>When we see self care being advertised, it’s often everything in that last bullet point like face masks and bubble baths. But there is so much more to self care activities than just that, it’s about taking care of yourself no matter how you feel, in small and big ways. &nbsp;

Hannah Johns

Self Care Activities for However You’re Feeling

PacificSource Health Plans

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

Self Care Activities for However You’re Feeling

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