What is your favorite form of self care?

Taking a long shower. It just makes me feel so much better and helps relieve a lot of stress. I always feel better after.

Taking care of myself with some morning exercise followed by a cup of coffee on the balcony, every day I have learnt that if I don't take care of my (physical and mental) health, nobody is going to

The peace of not knowing everything.

Tidying my computer desk. It's my most-used space at home, and I always feel way better after I clean up. Existing in an uncluttered space is deeply soothing.

for me it’s honestly a shower, clean clothes, fresh sheets, and a little time where nobody needs anything from me. nothing dramatic, but when my brain feels loud, basic human maintenance starts feeling weirdly healing lol. i also feel way better when i put my phone down for a bit and just let myself be quiet. i probably don’t do it as often as i should, but every time i do i’m like oh right….this is why people recommend taking care of yourself.

A couple times a year I rent an Airbnb and go for a 3 day/2 night hiking trip. Where I live we have walking paths and they're so boring. I like to have a bit more challenge, get out in nature, look after only myself.

Eating fresh, healthy food, simply prepared. I'm on the Mediterranean Diet and really love it. I needed to lose a little weight (not enough for anyone to prescribe me weight loss meds), lower my cholesterol and blood pressure, and get more energy. It feels like I'm doing some really good self-care.

Pilates, skincare, and notifications off. There is nothing like your own company and your favorite food to recharge. I think everyone needs a ‘Do Not Disturb’ day to feel human again.

Taking a hot shower- minimum 2 songs long!

Having my coffee and cake in the sun. Listening to the birds in the trees. Looking around how beautiful life can be. Thinking about nothing. 🤍

A long bath, and or a walk in nature! Or both! They really help out and keep me mentally sane!

I associate meals with self-care because it's how I primarily show up for others and it's how I have seen care being extended. In my culture, around funerals, it is common to see neighbors and extended family members show up with meals for the family. Even if it's a simple dump and cook or dump and bake recipe. Anytime I cook ahead for myself, it feels like I've really taken care for myself. I have recently started to do self-massage as a form of self-care, and it really uplifts my mood. I try to do it at least twice a week. Sometimes with tools and sometimes just my hands. Again, it could be a cultural thing, but I grew up with moms, grandmas, and aunts doing scalp massages and oiling your hair as a form of love.

Going to acupuncture. I started going regularly about a year ago. I have nerve damage from herniated discs/back surgeries and can't really feel many areas on my left side from low back down through my foot. Some areas have stayed the same amount of numb for years where other areas fluctuate with the amount of sensation I feel. Also my bones shift a lot because my knee is shit so my leg hurts every single day 🫠  I was curious if acupuncture would help me reconnect with those areas a little bit more and just generally help improve how I feel day to day, and I can say it has definitely helped! I also do dry needling there which has been the most helpful (but also painful) part. Acupuncture helps me chill TF out, cuz as you can see I have a lot of reasons to be physically stressed all the damn time. If I could afford it I'd be going 2x a week, but typically I go every 2ish weeks. The place I go is sliding scale but it's still $40 every time which adds up fast. I also recently tried float therapy for the first time and that was great. That was the most physically relaxed I have felt in literal years. I'm going again tomorrow and I am super excited for it. The place has a deal for new customers to buy 2 floats get 1 free so I'm doing that, but it's $85 damn dollars a session so I will be doing this very infrequently when I actually wish I could do it like every day.

For me it’s just disappearing for a bit, no phone, no notifications, just walking or chilling. Feels like my brain finally gets a break.