My mental health care kit – ideas for self care

“Take time to do what makes your soul happy.” – Unknown

Self Care – ‘The practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress’ Oxford English Dictionary.

I’ve often written about how mindfulness, yoga and gardening help my mental health and wellbeing. I thought I’d talk about a few other things I find help my self-care to give you some ideas about what you could try.   There are so many ideas online but the most important thing for me is to find the things and activities that help me. Everyone is different so what works for one person doesn’t work for another… and also what helps one day might not help another time. So it’s important to work out what you need to add to YOUR mental health care kit.  So in no particular order, here are some ideas for self care – let me know what helps you in the comments if you do some of these or other suggestions, and please share this post with your friends.  These are the main things in My Mental Health Care Kit.

Crafting

Since I joined the WI about six years ago, I’ve definitely rediscovered my creativity for crafting. I like to do quick projects not be working on something for months. I’ve mostly started hand sewing again but I’ve also been doing some courses.  I’ve learnt how to willow weave (relaxing but it’s hard on the hands), flower arranging (I’ve been on two courses at Denman College part of the Women’s Institute and learnt to make various kinds of jewellery too.  I’ve done some pottery painting, raku firing and hand building with clay.  Unfortunately, I can’t use a potter’s wheel as it needs too much pressure to throw a pot and the cold water won’t do my arthritis any good.

Many of my crafting pals rate crochet and knitting as helping with relaxation, self care and mindfulness. I can knit and crochet, my mum taught me in my teens but I’m not going back to it.

Sewing

Mostly I hand sew small projects, like hearts for Manchester, Poppies for remembrance and tree decorations using cotton material and felt.  I’m not one for embroidery or cross stitch because they tend to take too long.

Sewing machine learning – it’s never too late

Last weekend, I went on a zero to hero course for people who’d never used sewing machines or like me hadn’t touched a sewing machine for 30 years.   I had a great day with I made some pyjama bottoms.  Have a look at Stitched Up if you are local to Manchester or look for a local organisation which runs courses.

 

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fab time @stitchedupuk -#chorltonlife #manchester learning #sewingworkshop – made pyjamas not touched a #sewingmachine in 25 years but can definitely hem and small projects now #manchesterhearts #aheart4mcr – thanks bryony – #brilliantteacher #zerotohero #feelingconfident 🙂

A post shared by Rebecca Jones (@becinmonton) on Feb 3, 2019 at 2:48am PST

It gave me the confidence to use a modern sewing machine and I could definitely hem clothes, make cushion covers, and make bunting. However, we’ve got a tiny house so I think I’ll only be doing more small projects – hearts, tree decorations, bunting etc.  If I wanted to make clothes I would have to move everything on the table, find a place for it and extend the table to do the pattern cutting. Also, as I mentioned above I struggle with a project sitting there waiting for me to finish it.  I find it much easier to finish a sewing project if it only takes a couple of hours.

Silver Clay Jewellery

I’ve tried  quite a few new crafts since I joined the Women’s Institute 6 years ago but the one I’ve found most recently is silver clay jewellery – I made a pendant at a workshop in October and I’ve been back to Denman College for a full weekend learning different techniques

Time with family and friends

I speak to my relatives on the phone, social media and texting/whats app as none of them lives close by. In fact, my family are spread around the world across many time zones.  I’ve got pals all over the UK and world too so I use all sorts of tech to keep in touch.
When my arthritis pain is bad, I tend to retreat into myself, as I have little extra energy as it’s all taken up with work and housework. I’ve decided I do need to see my pals more this year though so watch this space 🙂 and drink more gin 😉

Also, if you’re struggling talk to your friends and family if you know they will be supportive.  In addition, there are online groups.

Photography

I’ve been taking more photos and I’m learning to use my new Lensbaby lens 🙂

I take photos with my phone everyday and often have my DSLR camera most weekends. I often follow photochallenges too – They’re usually over on my Instagram. A topic helps me focus on a photo/style or use a new technique.

Listening to Music

We often listen to music instead of watching the TV – My Chap has many spotify lists for every situation – we also dance around the lounge to 80s, 90s and onwards especially indie, guitar music 😉
Also, I listen to ambient sounds – seaside, forest, birdsong and even rain when I am writing something complicated.

Cooking

I don’t just mean cooking the tea 😉  Though cooking does help me with the concept of ‘providing’ for those I love.  I find the process of cooking helps my self care and mindfulness.

• making soup – I find it restful chopping things –
• making chutney
• I make jam too – really quick and much less stirring than chutney ;-(
• baking especially making biscuits (again as it’s quick).

Time outdoors

Gardening aka pottering around 😉 

My hands are too painful for too much digging anymore so My Chap does that – I do most of the potting up and planning.  I got many bulbs last Autumn and went on a planting frenzy – and I’m reaping the rewards.  If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you’ll know how much gardening means to me, how integral it is to my self care and how it helps me mentally and physically. Also I found some awesome gardening bloggers via weekly challenges like ‘In a Vase on Monday’ and ‘Six on Saturday’ if you like to spend time in the garden why not join in.  Have a look at my hashtags to see what I’ve photographed and written about

• In a Vase on Monday – hosted by Cathy at www.ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/
• Six on Saturday – hosted by John at www.thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com/

Walking

Walking in the countryside or by the sea.  Before my osteoarthritis and back pain arrived in my life I used to do quite a bit of hill walking.  I can manage gentle rambles now – but I walk around lakes, rivers and by the sea as often as I can.  We are really fortunate that the Bridgewater Canal is at the end of our street so we probably walk up and down it at least once a week in the summer (and My Chap runs along it!)

Onehouroutside

this is a hashtag developed my Zoe from Splodzblogz who co-runs Outdoor bloggers.  The idea is to get outside for one hour a day.  I do this every day, in the garden, sometimes it’s a proper walk for longer than an hour, sometimes it’s a walk around the block (noticing what’s flowering) or walking between buildings at work.  If it’s sunny and warm, I’ll eat outside. It’s fairly easy to get in the habit – it’s deciding to do it every day.  Look for Zoe’s hashtag #onehouroutside on social media.

• www.splodzblogz.co.uk/one-hour-outside/

But it rains in Manchester you say?  When the weather is horrible I make sure I sit somewhere where I can see out into my garden or greenery outdoors.

And obviously, gardening is absolutely key to my mindfulness – it helps be ‘in the moment’, focus on one thing, and see change in front of me.  I find watering plants and deadheading flowers very relaxing.

• My mindful garden – I’m in the moment – July 2018

Rehome stuff

When My Chap moved in with me we merged two houses, we had many possessions, including his garage full of DIY tools, running, fitness and biking gear, guitars… and then of course there’s all my stuff, including the growing Irregular Choice shoe collection, crafting boxes and far too many clothes.

My top tip – is to find a small area that needs clearing – and focus on this only.  I use the Pomodoro Method (January goals – plan, focus, growth – using the pomodoro method).  It definitely feels better for my mental health to have less clutter around.

Get some decent sleep

I’ve lived with daily pain for nearly ten years, it started with hip joints and lower back, and gradually developed in my fingers and toes. It turns out I’ve got osteoarthritis and my left hip joint is in the wrong place.  In the past, it has impacted massively on my sleeping and that lead to me being tired ALL the time.  My sleeping has improved with a combination of pain gels, yoga and mindfulness.

We’ve also just bought a new mattress which is making a massive difference – and you get what you pay for with a mattress so buy as good as one as you can afford – and try them out for at least half an hour in the shop.

Yoga

I’ve written often about how much yoga helps me.  I’ll be writing more about yoga this year.

• Be present with yoga
• Beginners yoga – which yoga style suits you? – 1 February 2019

 A quote which sums it up for me.

‘Yoga increases body awareness, relieves stress, reduces muscle tension, strain, and inflammation, sharpens attention and concentration, and calms and centres the nervous system. Yoga’s positive benefits on mental health have made it an important practice tool of psychotherapy’. American Psychological Association .23 May 2013

Mindfulness

I’ve practised mindfulness for about four years now – and it has made such a big difference to my life – I’ll be writing more about mindfulness and how it helps my self care. Here’s the first time I wrote about mindfulness (in 2015)

• FROM SMALL THINGS TO BIG… ACORNS TO OAKS – BEING MINDFUL HELPS

Podcasts and audiobooks

I enjoy listening to audiobooks and podcasts.  I do still read books but usually when I’m on holiday as I can concentrate more.   I recommend Gabrielle Treanor, who wants to help people worry less and enjoy life more.  She describes herself as a Overthinkers Coach –  All evidence based too.

• www.gabrielletreanor.com 
• Podcasts – Pressing pause for Overthinkers – www.gabrielletreanor.com/podcast
• she also has courses which have really helped me focus on what is important, including daily gratitude (I’m working on this at the moment).

Blurt Foundation

Although the work of the foundation focuses on depression, there is a great deal of information about anxiety and over thinking – as well as handling stressful situations and events.

• www.blurtitout.org/

Action for Happiness

This is a movement building a happier society by helping people to make positive changes in their personal lives, homes, schools, workplaces and local communities #HappierWorld.  They have monthly action plans with a daily prompt pinned on their twitter profile.

• www.actionforhappiness.org/ 

There are other activities that help me with my self care so I’ll write more another time.

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What works for you?

I hope this list helps you with ideas for self care but the most important thing is to find out what works for YOU… and remember self-care isn’t about bubble baths ;-). It is about your individual situation
I rarely have bubble baths as I hate sitting in hot, sweaty water but other people love a good, long bath.  I do use shower bombs though and lovely, citrus shower gels.  Self-care is about what helps keep you on an even keel mentally and physically – and sometimes it’s about knowing when to say no to people, things and activities.  I think that is probably the main thing about getting YOUR MENTAL HEALTH CARE KIT but this doesn’t mean you say no to everything – say YES to things that make you happy.

“Let today mark a new beginning for you. Give yourself permission to say NO without feeling guilty, mean, or selfish. Anybody who gets upset and/or expects you to say YES all of the time clearly doesn’t have your best interest at heart. Always remember: You have a right to say NO without having to explain yourself. Be at peace with your decisions.” Stephanie Lahart

“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.” – Jean Shinoda Bolen, American psychiatrist and author (born 1936)

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What self care ideas do you like from this list? What do you do for your self care?  What are you adding to your Mental Health Care Kit? 

Carpe Diem

Love Bec

xxx xxx

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