Self-Care
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Weekly Substitute Challenge
Before I get into talking about my weekly substitute challenge I want to make something clear. However you want or need to spend this lockdown period is fine. If you are spending this time resting, managing the many emotions you are experiencing and just trying to survive, that’s good! There’s no blueprint for how this time is to be spent. No right or wrong way to do this. This is just about a way I am coping and surviving, and it’s in no way a comment on how you should spend this time. If it inspires you to do something similar then great, but if it feels daunting and unhelpful…
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5 things I’ve learned from yoga
Living with ME/CFS comes with a long list of trials and challenges to deal with on a daily basis. Among them is the inability to exercise normally. Unfortunately, along with the sheer exhaustion it brings, another symptom is post exertional malaise. Put simply, the worsening of symptoms due to physical activity. For me, I find it quite difficult to predict, but I know one thing that causes it every time – exercise. Going for a run (or even a walk), doing Zumba, tennis, literally any form of cardio is enough to make me completely unable to function the next day. My body just shuts down, even moving takes too much…
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Love Languages: Ways to Say ‘I Love You’ Without Words
If you’re not familiar with the 5 love languages, I really advise you to look them up. Learning the ways I feel most loved has really opened my eyes, and helped me understand myself in a way I never had before. In short, love languages are the ways we can give and receive love from others. Not just romantic partners, but everyone. Each of us will have a couple of love languages that are most important to us – the ways we feel love the most. For me, my primary love language is words of affirmation. I feel most loved when someone tells me they love me. As someone who…
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Lockdown Silver Linings
These are pretty unusual and stressful times we are living in right now. Tensions and emotions are running high, and no one really knows what to do or how to feel. Looking around the world right there is so much going on, so much to be worried or scared about, so much negativity. But there are also a lot of positives. Whether it be the clap for carers movement, the chance to try new things or simply spending time with family, I’m sure every one of us has at least one thing to be grateful for during this time. I’m a big fan of this ‘Lockdown Silver Linings’ tag. It’s…
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How to survive working from home
Working from home full time is not something I ever aniticpated doing. Once upon a time it was a dream I’d had, so I could work full time alongside my chronic illness (who knew it was actually possible?). However once I found a job I loved, it was a lot easier to get myself into the office every day, even when I am exhausted. Now, like many of you, I have been thrown into the wonderful world of working from home, and just being stuck at home in general – although it’s not that much of a change for me. But it is a struggle. I’ve found it difficult, strange,…
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Why Practice Gratitude?
Gratitude is often a part of life that is missed out. We spend so much time and energy living life, getting through each day, surviving, that we can forget the things we have to be thankful for. No day is perfect, and it’s not always easy to find something to be grateful for. But by simply stopping for a moment and being thankful it can do wonders for your mood. Practicing gratitude isn’t necessarily about making you feel better about your life. I know when you are in the throws of mental illness, especially depression, it can feel like you have nothing good to offer. And no, gratitude is not…
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Why I’m Ditching New Year’s Resolutions
First of all, Happy New Year (and decade) to all you lovely people. I hope it brings you nothing but joy and happiness, and health. I’m here to talk to you about a very popular part of this time of year – New Year’s Resolutions. This post was maybe a better idea for before we’d rung in the New Year, but I needed a break with all the celebrations that were going on, so it wasn’t ready until now. New year’s resolutions are so popular, and I have nothing against anyone who has decided to make some this year (if you have please do share them in the comments below),…
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The 12 Days of Christmas: Self-care edition.
Christmas is a crazy time of year. There is so much to do, so many people to see, presents to buy, parties to go to. The list goes on. And even though it’s meant to be about spending time with friends and family, and showing how much they mean to you, it’s also important that you take care of yourself. When life gets stressful, self-care tends to be pushed aside, but it’s still so important. So, to help you get through the holiday period this year I have compiled a self-care edition of the 12 days of Christmas. Just one thing to do each day over the holidays to help…
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ASMR-tists to help you relax
ASMR is a tool I have discovered in the last 6 months or so, and it’s something I am truly glad to have stumbled upon. Nothing else makes me feel as relaxed as ASMR does, and today I have decided to share with you my favourite ASMR-tists who help me achieve this relaxation. I discovered ASMR by complete accident. I’d looked up a few self-massage techniques and discovered that watching massage videos actually made my body feel as though I was getting the massage myself. That’s what ASMR is all about, producing the tingling sensation in your body without even being touched. As someone who loves having their hair played…
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Hygge: Self-care this winter.
Something that seems to be everywhere at the moment is Hygge. It’s all over Pinterest, and in all honesty I’m so glad I discovered it. Hygge, pronounced ‘hoo-gah’, is a Danish word and concept with no formal English translation. Most commonly it is a term used to describe something as being cosy, warm or homely. That is not the only definition though. Perhaps the best way to describe it is with a feeling: You’ve just arrived home from a cold walk in the brisk winter air. The fire is lit, and you’re wearing your thickest, warmest socks. In your hands, a warm soothing cup of tea (or whichever hot drink…
