I have been thinking a lot about self care lately. Part of the reason for that is because it seems like everywhere I turn someone is talking about self care. Is that true for everyone or do I just really need to hear the message? Another reason I have been thinking about it is because I know that I HAVE to take care of myself. When I take care of myself the anxiety and depression are so much easier to handle. So this month I decided that I would share with you some of the ways that I take care of myself. Look for Self Care Thursday every Thursday in August!
One of the easiest things you can do to take care of yourself is to pay attention to your thoughts. We have so many thoughts that run through our heads and most of the time we don’t even realize what those thoughts are or how they may affect you. I know there were times that I would be in the middle of a panic attack and not even know what caused it.
So here is the tip: pay attention to the thoughts in your head. Especially what you tell yourself about yourself. This may take some practice if you are not accustomed to paying attention to your thoughts. But it is a skill that can be learned.
The easiest way to do this is to grab a cheap notebook and pick a time each day that you can take five-ten minutes and write down all of thoughts you have in your head at that time. It may be difficult at first to hear what you were telling yourself but stick with it! It will get easier and you will be amazed and what you learn!
Another trick I learned from Jamie Knapp at Illuminate Mentoring (She is awesome!! Seriously look her up she has online classes that are life changing!! Look up Illuminate Mentoring on FaceBook) Is to get two notebooks one is black the other can be which ever color you like. Whenever you feel sad, depressed or just not yourself get out your black notebook and write down all of the negative thoughts you can remember. When you get out all of the negative you bring out the other notebook. In this other notebook you change each of the negative thoughts to a positive one.
Here is an example because I kinda had a hard time switching the negative to a positive. A very common negative thought for me is that I must do exactly what others want to make them happy. I cannot make any mistakes. Changing that to a positive: I am a worthwhile person and others like me for who I am and they love me and forgive my mistakes.
Can you feel the difference between the negative and the positive? I know that paying attention to your thoughts will make such a difference in your life. I know that as I have changed the way I talk to myself my life has been changing.
So go get your notebooks and start taking care of yourself!!! (This is a perfect time to go get new notebooks because you have to buy them for back to school anyway. Get yourself something cute! Oh and maybe a new pen or two. I love school supplies can you tell?)
