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Post by Eli on Dec 3, 2017 8:42:08 GMT -5
How do you take care of you?
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Post by Wise Old Goat on Dec 3, 2017 11:14:46 GMT -5
Do you mean hygiene or mental health? If you mean mental health I try to go to bed early - which isn't great for couple time but ds stays up later than both of us anyways so there's no real couple time that way. I usually try to go upstairs by 9-9:30 and then read in bed for awhile with lights out by 10. Reading and getting sleep are good for me. I've been slacking in the walking/10,000 steps for the last few months - but I feel good if I get some walking in beyond just to the bus stop and back. Time alone walking with music is good for my soul. Photography is also good for me - and I love combining it with walks - I've taken 10,000 pictures in less than a year and despite the fact that I post a shit ton of pictures on FB obviously I post only a fraction of what I actually take . Me and my camera taking pictures of nature and/or toys is really zen for me.
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Post by alicechalmers on Dec 3, 2017 11:19:34 GMT -5
At the moment, by looking for a different job.
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Post by Wise Old Goat on Dec 3, 2017 11:20:39 GMT -5
Sorry AC . Is it the distance or the hours?
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Post by alicechalmers on Dec 3, 2017 11:21:48 GMT -5
Both, but mostly the hours. And it's a pretty high stress job and I'm just over it.
For example, I've been on day shift for a couple of weeks, then Monday and Tuesday I will be night shift, and then back to day shift on Friday for another week, then a few weeks of nights. And that's an improvement from how it used to be. There was a six week period in the spring in which I worked two day shifts, had a short break (by that I mean a day or two), worked two night shifts, short break, days shift, short break, night shifts. For six weeks. I told my boss that schedule makes me literally crazy and it can't happen again. It's been better but it's still ridiculous. Couple that with 12 hour shifts and the intensity of critical care in specialties that really aren't my favorite and I'm just so done.
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Post by Eli on Dec 3, 2017 11:40:13 GMT -5
That’s tough, AC. ((Hugs))
WOG, I mean both physical and mental. I’m trying to find ways to reduce stress but also take better care of me in general.
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Self Care
Dec 3, 2017 11:53:16 GMT -5
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Post by shaena on Dec 3, 2017 11:53:16 GMT -5
I recently discovered Yoga. We have classes at work, but I can't relax there at all, so I started doing it at home, it's hard sometimes to carve out the hour, but I am finding it very beneficial lately with keeping my stress level down.
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Post by coachgrrl on Dec 3, 2017 12:08:46 GMT -5
I'm getting much better at this. Mostly because of my health issues from that past few years have forced me to.
I go to a YIN yoga class 2X week (gentle...you get into a pose and hold it for 5 minutes, very helpful at getting you to unclench and go with it) I do a massage 1X month I changed jobs and now have a job that is less physically/emotionally demanding but more innovative I don't associate or distance myself from toxic people as much as possible
Basically I do what I want. I enjoy my life immensely. More so than I ever have, tbh
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Post by nansel on Dec 3, 2017 12:24:42 GMT -5
I play team sports for just the right amount of social activity for me. I cycle, read, play the drums, play tennis with dh, sew, and do photography for hobbies. I like having hobbies and learning stuff! I keep my distance from people I don't enjoy, including my extended family. Dh and I keep our finances in order, which helps with peace of mind.
Other than having to work some for the money, like coachgrrl said I pretty much do what I want. One of my favourite benefits of being an empty nester.
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Post by alicechalmers on Dec 3, 2017 12:45:53 GMT -5
Things that really do help when I do them: Yoga. I can't get to regular yoga classes so I subscribe to www.yogaglo.com for $18 per month. It's like Netflix for yoga classes. I love it. I can stream to my television via Roku, and there's a huge diversity of class types, levels, duration, etc. The ritual of a hot beverage in the morning. Yes, the Keurig is magic, but it is good for the soul to grind coffee beans and pour water over them, or brew loose leaf tea. I drink plenty of water with no ice. My acupuncturist made this recommendation, and once I got used to it, I really don't like iced or chilled water anymore. I read. This is one thing I'm religious about even with an insane schedule, because reading is a thing I truly love. I pursue a hobby that includes skill building. When I agreed to sing in the church choir for the Christmas contata, the director asked if I could try playing bass guitar again. I said I'd give it a whirl. It's literally been twenty years since I played. Starting again was painful, let me tell you. At first I was playing a bass that just felt odd to me, and then a friend lent me a beautiful cherry red Fender jazz bass, which is the same model I played in high school. Holy shit, it's like my hands suddenly remembered what to do. Turns out, I *love* playing, even though I had forgotten for two decades. So now I'm avidly playing, another friend is fixing up an old bass as a gift to me (bless that man) and I'm working on increasing my skills. It feels so good to play again. Meditate. I do guided meditation, and it really helps keep the crazy at bay.
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Post by Peachy on Dec 3, 2017 12:47:46 GMT -5
First and foremost, by admitting I had a problem with anxiety. I started taking Lexapro in June, and it's been a godsend.
I started reading more a few months ago. I stopped reading for pleasure years ago when I was doing freelance work for a publisher, which took all the joy out of reading for me.
I've found that painting can be really relaxing for me.
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Self Care
Dec 3, 2017 14:37:59 GMT -5
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Post by GiftOfFlavor on Dec 3, 2017 14:37:59 GMT -5
I see a therapist for anxiety and PTSD.
I work out and go to the climbing gym.
I try not to eat too much crap. I never feel well after I eat crap.
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Post by Lor on Dec 3, 2017 16:41:27 GMT -5
I was doing really well when I was off work and going to therapy but since I've returned I haven't had any dedicated me time at all. I really struggle with this, in order to cope with my depression I really need to take time for myself and do things like take a bath with a good book, go for a walk with my camera, spend time with the horses and get enough sleep but it seems like when I'm slipping it takes every bit of my energy to do the things that have to get done and I have no energy left over for anything else.
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Post by jen on Dec 3, 2017 18:27:34 GMT -5
Seratonin is made in the gut and not in the brain, so I try to eat foods that my body can easily digest to allow for maximum production.
Exercise is the foundation of my overall mental and physical wellness. I see a huge difference when I'm not working out enough.
I get regular massages.
I've started meditating and journaling.
The best thing would be for me to work fewer hours, but that's not possible right now.
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Post by Wise Old Goat on Dec 3, 2017 18:43:28 GMT -5
I was doing really well when I was off work and going to therapy but since I've returned I haven't had any dedicated me time at all. I really struggle with this, in order to cope with my depression I really need to take time for myself and do things like take a bath with a good book, go for a walk with my camera, spend time with the horses and get enough sleep but it seems like when I'm slipping it takes every bit of my energy to do the things that have to get done and I have no energy left over for anything else. Yeah it's a real bitch when you're depressed. You know in your head that getting out and doing whatever will make you feel better but the energy to go out and do that stuff is just not there.
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Self Care
Dec 3, 2017 18:54:33 GMT -5
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Post by GiftOfFlavor on Dec 3, 2017 18:54:33 GMT -5
Seratonin is made in the gut and not in the brain, so I try to eat foods that my body can easily digest to allow for maximum production. Exercise is the foundation of my overall mental and physical wellness. I see a huge difference when I'm not working out enough. I get regular massages. I've started meditating and journaling. The best thing would be for me to work fewer hours, but that's not possible right now. Is that why I feel better when I don’t eat like crap?
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mare
Full Member
Posts: 2,517
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Post by mare on Dec 3, 2017 19:48:40 GMT -5
I drink. Just kidding. I read a lot and take baths. I take good care of my skin. I am relgious about exfoliating and moisturizing. I also take Lexapro for anxiety. I've realized it's just how I am. I have always been an anxious person who internalizes things. Lexapro takes the edge off the worst of it. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
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Post by dharma on Dec 3, 2017 19:53:41 GMT -5
Seratonin is made in the gut and not in the brain, so I try to eat foods that my body can easily digest to allow for maximum production. I did not know this and went on a little search for more info. Tyvm for sharing this tidbit. Self care is a major problem for me. I plunge into dark places and stop taking care of me which contributes to darker places and I do even less to take care of me and the carousel keeps on going round. Thanks for starting this thread, Eli for you, too.
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Post by jen on Dec 3, 2017 20:17:50 GMT -5
Seratonin is made in the gut and not in the brain, so I try to eat foods that my body can easily digest to allow for maximum production. Exercise is the foundation of my overall mental and physical wellness. I see a huge difference when I'm not working out enough. I get regular massages. I've started meditating and journaling. The best thing would be for me to work fewer hours, but that's not possible right now. Is that why I feel better when I don’t eat like crap? It probably is.😊 Glad I could help dharma!
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Self Care
Dec 4, 2017 5:25:22 GMT -5
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Post by katy on Dec 4, 2017 5:25:22 GMT -5
The big thing I do is work out. I'm only doing weights right now but I'll be adding cardio again soon.
I try to get to the sauna when I can.
I take vitamin D.
I don't drink (it's been 13 months) and that helps a lot, but that's more of a thing I *don't* do, lol. My diet has slipped a bit. I'm always going on and off the wagon regarding sugar!
Things that I have done and should do include journaling and yoga. (Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube!)
I have been out of sorts since my trip to the USA at the end of October. I have had tummy bugs, jet lag, and general blah from the seasons/darkness. I'm getting back on top of things.
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