Hi
@Shaz51Have been giving thought to your question 'where to start' when it comes to self care especially when time and money are often in short supply. These are some things that I am trying to put into practice.
1 Physical self care
- Trying to eat healthier - am trying to incorporate more fruit and veg into our diet
- Trying a new recipe once a month
-Taking a bit more care with my appearance - have found a style that suits me and have made fabulous purchases at op shops that fit with this. I slap on the lippy each time we go out, even if it just to the supermarket. I remember meeting a well groomed lady and she told me that being on the pension (as she was), was in excuse for being untidy.
- Take care of my own medical needs - have finally booked a specialist appt but so overdue for secret women's business (aka pap smear)
2. Intellectual
- Reading a book (mainly rereading some faves)
- Researching a topic I am interested in on the internet
3.Spiritual
- Connecting with nature through home gardening (something that got neglected with Mr Darcy's crisis)
- Connecting with God through being grateful
4.Emotional
- Having people to talk to so that struggles are not bottled up. (Sane forum a great place)
- Getting support from Wellways. Their carer support person visits me at home.
- Recognising and acknowledgeding the grief of things that have been lost through Mr Darcy's mental illness and to begin to make peace with the new reality.
- Not stress over things that have not been done.
- Building s loving relationship with myself.
5. Social
- Having my carer support person visit.
- Connecting with understanding people
- Took a while but I made it a priority to have a monthly coffee with a friend who understands.
- Regular chats with interstate family members
- Taking a break from some forms of social media
I find in all of this that maintaining my sense of humour is vital and I regularly send funnies to family and friends and enjoy receiving them too. Finding a resource that gave me hope that it is possible to live well in spite of a mental health diagnosis was also instrumental in turning overwhelming grief into a more positive mindset.
These are the things that have worked for me and I understand that each of us is different but you might find something in there that you might be able to draw from.
Take care,
Darcy
