As much as we would like it to be, there’s no such thing as clear weather, calm seas, and smooth sailing forever, no matter how hard we wish for it. The fact is, life is hard work–for all of us.
The next time your life gets hard and you feel like chucking in the towel it definitely helps to remember that there are others out there having a rough go as well. And that they are surviving.
But how do they go about it? Surviving, that is?
Two words for you.
Self care.
Yeah, self-care. Something a lot of us suck at for a majority of the time, but something that is oh-so critical to surviving and thriving.
The second takeaway is this. A bunch of ideas for self-care that will help you cope when life gets hard.
- Make your bed with fresh sheets.
- Make a blanket fort.
- Go for a walk/swim/bike ride.
- Watch your favorite movie, even if it’s for the 20th time.
- Take a long, relaxing bath.
- Put your favorite jammies in the dryer so they’re nice and toasty warm when you put them on.
- Buy yourself some flowers.
- Cuddle with your pet, or your human (or both!)
- Call someone you love.
- Have a cup of tea in a beautiful mug.
- Color, draw, or doodle.
- Unplug from technology for an hour.
- Indulge a little in your favorite treat.
- Put on an uplifting song and dance.
- Bake something try a new recipe or an old favorite.
- Listen to an inspiring or funny podcast.
- Stretch or do yoga. This Intro to Yin video is great (and free!)
- Paint your nails or get a pedicure.
- Read a good book.
- List 10 things you are grateful for.
- Clear the clutter. Be it from your mind, computer, desk, house, back patio, shed… donate clothes to charity, shred or burn years-old paperwork, sweep the leaves from your patio. It all helps.
- Meditate.
- Hit the open road and go for a drive with the music up loud.
- Play cards or a board game.
- Practice generosity. Buy coffee for the person in front of you. Donate old clothes. Give someone a compliment.
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