TOTALLY FREE SELF CARE

i want to destroy the notion that self care is all about spending money, collecting stuff and going places.

these self care activities are 100% free. self care shouldn't break the bank.

self care needs no equipment. all you need is you.

self care is not place specific. self care happens where you are.

self care is available 24-7. you do not have to wait to take care of you.

remember this: the best thing you can do for others is take care of yourself.

1. breathe. it relaxes your body and resets your system.

2. relax your body. life is easier when you are relaxed. fun fact: exhaling naturally releases tension.

3. rethink your situation. identify and reshape the negative thoughts causing your discomfort. this is much easier to do once your body is relaxed. 

4. give yourself credit for the things you do well. 

BONUS: these are the ONLY 4 coping skills! yes, coping skills are self care. yes, there are only 4.

5. remind yourself you don't have to be perfect to be good. don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. 

6. remind yourself you don’t have to know everything. 

7. learn to forgive yourself. (see tip #5 and #6).

8. stop trying to do what is right. do what is right FOR YOU. few situations in life have a universal right answer, and no matter what you do, someone is unhappy. don't let that someone be you.

9. forgive others. forgiveness is for you, not them. holding a grudge is punching yourself in the face hoping to give the other person a black eye. 

10. state things in the affirmative. you cannot do a negative!!! if you don't believe me, next time you go to a restaurant, tell the waiter you don't want a hamburger.  

11. say no. good people can say no. saying yes to everything is self careless.

12. be selfish sometimes. it's ok to put yourself first. being selfish is self care. find the balance.

13. appreciate small moments of self care. it would be great if we had that 4 hour block of time when we have nothing else to do. great, but not realistic. you can care for yourself a lot in 4 minutes or 40 seconds.

14. STOP COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS!!! appreciate who you are.

15. give yourself the praise you wish others would give you. Happiness comes from within. If you are waiting for others, you will likely go without.

16. be nice to yourself (it's more than treats & trips),

17. be nice to yourself (it's more than treats & trips).

18. be nice to yourself (it's more than treats & trips).

19. being happy with your stuff IS NOT the same as being happy with yourself. be happy with who you are, regardless of what you do or don't have.

20. calisthenics. all you need for a good workout is the floor and your body.

 

for information on individual therapy, contact me at bradleyjabel@gmail.com

rethinking self esteem #5

an actual conversation...

me: let's say you have a friend that moved halfway across the country to go to college in a place where they knew nobody. how would you describe that person?

client: adventurous. interesting. courageous.

me: you did that. you moved halfway across the country for college. have you ever described yourself as adventurous, interesting and courageous? 

client: no. 

if you want to improve your self esteem, see in yourself what you see in others. 

for information on individual therapy, contact me at bradleyjabel@gmail.com