The world can be a scary or difficult place to be sometimes. When things get overwhelming we can fall into some dark places. Anxiety can become heightened, depression can become all consuming and dissociation could worsen. Basically we can feel like crap.
Whether you are stressed about the current global situation or your own life, each worry is valid. Just because something massive is happening doesn't mean you daily struggles stop. You are allowed to be worried about relationships, work, body image, past experiences, living situations, money, or anything else that has you worked up. You are allowed to have feelings about things other than the pandemic.
With all this on your mind and you feeling so low, you might not feel you have the energy or motivation to do anything for yourself. YOU ARE THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY NO MATTER WHAT. Self care is so important, not just when you are stressed, but always. Your mental health is so important and impacts all other aspects of your life.
I have come up with 50 'low effort' self care ideas for when you cant do something more extravagant. There should be something on this list that you are able to do and if not feel free to check out my other self care posts :)
Self care ideas part 1: https://diaryofapsychoblog.wixsite.com/home/post/self-care-ideas
I have split these into different categories regarding how much energy and effort these activities will take. This way, no matter how bad you are feeling there should be something that you can do. Just give yourself time and remember that everything is temporary. You got this!
Can't get out of bed
1. Drink water, not sugar or caffeine
2. Listen to your favourite music
3. Just breathe, no exercise or meditation, just breathe
4. Make sure you take your meds (if you do)
5. Turn your phone off (seeing things about the thing making you upset will make you worse, trust me)
6. Think about one thing you are proud of
7. Put some deodorant on
8. Wiggle your fingers and toes (this can be grounding)
9. Go and brush your teeth
10. Try to eat one full meal (you are allowed to and its okay)
A bad day
1. Keep grounded (https://diaryofapsychoblog.wixsite.com/home/post/grounding)
2. Allow yourself to cry
3. Ask for help or support
4. Spend time with pets
5. Try some breathing exercises (https://diaryofapsychoblog.wixsite.com/home/post/best-breathing-exercises-that-actually-work)
6. Light a candle or burn incense
7. Brush your hair
8. Do a mindful body scan (https://www.headspace.com/meditation/body-scan)
9. Watch a movie (or two)
10. Get up and stretch for 2 minutes
Feeling meh
1. Have a shower
2. Make the best sandwich you can
3. Wash your face
4. Call a friend
5. Hug something (person, plushie or a pillow, hugs will help)
6. Sit outside in the sun for a bit
7. Make your bed
8. Binge some YouTube or Netflix
9. Put on some clean clothes
10. Have something sweet
Could be better but alright
1. Do something creative (paint, makeup, draw, write)
2. Download a new game on your phone and share it with a friend
3. Explore new music
4. Blow some bubbles (who doesn't like bubbles haha)
5. Tidy up a small area (bathroom, bedroom or kitchen)
6. Do a face mask
7. Take a bath
8. Read a book you always wanted to
9. Lay down and just watch the clouds for a while
10. Collect some leaves, flowers or rocks
High energy (possibly anxious energy)
1. Go for a walk around the block
2. Have a mini dance party in your room
3. Work on your spirituality
4. Learn a new skill
5. Research something that interests you
6. Clean up the house (or what you can)
7. Try some yoga (laugh at yourself if you fall, its okay)
8. Go for a drive around
9. Dress up and have a photoshoot
10. Do some chores to keep busy
Hopefully this has shown you that self care is more than a pampering session. Self care can be as simple as eating and drinking. Some days will be harder than others and it is okay to have big and small worries. Sometimes its the smallest things that get us the most upset. You don't need to feel bad for your emotions.
This is a hard time for everyone but we will get through this. Feel free to share this with those who might need a pick me up. Mental illness or not, we all get down sometimes and that is okay.
Keep smiling and stay healthy :)
Jen xx
More posts you may like
Comments