There’s not much certain about the future right now except that it’s uncertain. And for some people, that’s really scary. I wanted to share a brief story and some self-care tips for uncertain times.
After Mike died, I felt very anxious about the future. A therapist told me to always remember what the flight attendants tell you to do with the oxygen mask on a plane. Put yours on first so you’re in a good position to help others.
Take this analogy and apply it to self-care. If you’re not at your best, you won’t be able to take care of people who depend on you.
Everyone is different so some of the self-care ideas below may resonate with you. And some may not. Choose a few strategies you like and stick with them!
Physical self-care
Sleep; exercise; eat regular, well-balanced meals; and reduce alcohol and caffeine consumption
Emotional self-care
Get help early on if you are feeling overwhelmed; use relaxation skills that work best for you; listen to music that soothes you; engage socially to avoid feeling isolated; reestablish a routine or create structure; and set limits, if necessary, when others are too demanding of your time or energy. Give yourself time to heal and renew.
Social self-care
Be aware of withdrawal and isolation; let your loved ones nurture you; use friends and family and community for support; see how work can offer support; seek out others for virtual social activities; recognize that humor can be a useful respite; and make an effort to have fun.
Spiritual self-care
Use religious and/or spiritual resources and communities; read inspirational works; pray; practice gratitude; meditate; connect with nature; and find creative ways to express yourself
Remember to do the following:
- Recognize signs of stress and look after yourself
- Identify what you can and cannot change
- Keep expectations realistic
- Make deliberate plans to care for yourself
- Accept your limitations
- Allow others to give to you
- Find a reason to smile or laugh every day
Bags for a Boost Update
We’ve suspended bag deliveries for until the end of the month. Then, we’ll reassess the situation. We have a lot of very deserving people who’ve been nominated. So, once it’s safe to do so, we have a team ready to deliver.
Stay safe and healthy.