You may already know the basics when it comes to self-care. This can include taking care of your skin, building healthy habits, appreciating yourself, and eating well. However, this list goes beyond advising you to take a hot shower. Here are some things I do that may spice up your self-care habits throughout the day.
If You Feel Creative
I love listening to music and creating fake scenarios in my head. My scenarios depend on the music I listen to. If I am listening to classical and waltz music, I imagine myself dancing in a ballroom. If I am listening to country music, I pretend I’m the main character from a 2000s horse girl movie. I don’t care if I’m considered “too old” to be daydreaming, because it helps distract me from stress and relaxes my mind. Daydreaming also allows me to brainstorm stories and ideas that I would otherwise not have the time to explore.
If You Feel Bored
When I am desperately bored and have nothing better to do, I pretend that I am living out my daydreams. This is different from simply imagining things; this is a slight delusion. For example, to get myself through performing a boring task (like chores or homework), I pretend that I am studying in the great halls of a library on the east coast. Or, I am Cinderella doing chores out of the kindness of my own heart. I know that sounds wacky, but it works for me. The best part about this is that you can interpret it any way you wish. Instead of walking across campus to get food, maybe you’re a representative for Gordon Ramsey on the way to give a restaurant a scathing review. It’s a new perspective that can add a fun twist to your daily routine.
If You Feel Angry
When I recognize frustration bubbling up, I try to give myself some space. I can tell that I’m angry when I become short with people; sometimes I say something I immediately regret. I try to find a moment to journal and write out my feelings. If you feel like you need a symbolic way to let go of your emotions, fold what you wrote into a paper airplane and locate a fire pit. Fly your paper airplane straight into the fire. It’s a one-way ticket for all those frustrations to get out of your head.
If You Feel Overstimulated
When I feel overstimulated, I try to notice things with all my senses. First, I identify what I can see. Maybe it’s the back of someone’s head or a computer screen. Then, I identify what I can smell, touch, taste, and hear at that moment. Creating a list in my head helps relax my mind. I also do an activity that I like to call “Puddle”, but this activity must be done laying down. I create another list in my head: a list of body parts from my head to my toes. I think of my facial muscles and head, then I drop and relax everything. Next, I relax my neck, shoulders, arms, and so on. If I notice any other tense muscles, (usually my jaw is tense because I clench my teeth), I let them soften into a “puddle” on a flat surface. This is all about making a list of your current state to focus your mind on the present moment.
Self-care is exciting because it can be applied to each of our lives in different ways. These tips may not work for everyone, and that is okay! It’s all about what helps you grow as an individual.