Today and tomorrow are designated self-care days for me. My work schedule along with the many medical appointments for the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) have left me feeling depleted and tired. My Occupational Therapist (OT) told me our brains are like a gas tank and it’s important to make sure I don’t run out of gas. My previous head trauma leaves me with a smaller gas tank than others. When I take the time for self-care I find I am much more productive, content, and energized in my everyday life.
Self-care is new to my life. I have desperately wanted to do self-care days in the past, but I was never able to have them because ED & The Gang would never leave me alone. Their lies and attacks would be too painful and I would try to escape their attacks by using destructive behaviors.
One of the best gifts of ED recovery has been the ability to have these self-care days.
ED & The Gang’s voices aren’t there like they used to be and even if one of them tries to pull me down, I have the tools to recognize and defeat them!
It has been fun to explore new and fun self-care ideas as I have progressed through recovery. What self-care looks like will be different for everyone!
Here are a few of my favorite self-care activities!
Snuggling with Moosie and Keira
Sitting on my back porch with a good book
Taking a walk
Lavender baths
Putting lotion on
Being all alone for the day (This is the introvert in me.)
Deciding not to do anything on my to do list for a day and only what sounds restorative
Listening to music
Dancing around my house when no one is watching
Watching a good romantic movie (North & South (BBC), Leap Year, Pride & Prejudice - the one with Colin Firth)
Binge watch Frasier! (Niles is my favorite.)
Drinking a cup of coffee
Journaling
Home Spa Day
Sitting outside and feeling the wind against my skin
Catching up on my favorite blogs
Trying a new hair style
Enjoying a good meal or dessert
Doing my nails and toenails
Scrolling through Pinterest, Instagram…
My favorite is enjoying a beautiful view and reading/journaling when traveling
Hanalei Bay, Hawaii (2014)
What about you?
Share your favorite self-care activity below!