Crowdsourcing My Self-Care

[lunabee34]

I need some calm and peace and comfort and strength and love and light in my life.

To that end, I would appreciate it if you would tell me about your religious, spiritual, mystical, and/or secular practices, rituals, or behaviors that give you the aforementioned.

Note: I would be delighted with lateral discussion; as a teacher, it is always my goal LOL. However, I will not tolerate any negative comments about peoples' beliefs and practices in this post (which I know is an unnecessary disclaimer as you all are the loveliest people who would never dream of being that kind of jackass).

Comments

[independence1776]

Religion-wise: attending synagogue services every Saturday morning. The routine/ritual is soothing.

On the secular side of things:

~ listening (and dancing) to loud, pounding music. I'm not talking metal or anything, just upbeat songs that have a good beat.

~ taking a deep breath. I've been trying to meditate but haven't gotten far for lack of discipline but just sitting by myself and letting me be in silence.

~ journaling helps, though I don't do it near as often as I would like and should

~ finding time to be in nature. There's a park near my apartment I like walking in after work, but there's one a short drive away where the exercise path is mostly next to trees and woods. I like walking there on Sunday mornings before I go grocery shopping because it's more soothing than the nearer park because of the greenery. Or just sitting outside when the weather's nice.

~ the one I have trouble with that honestly helps more than a lot of other things: getting to bed on time. Yeah, it means I'm in bed at 9 pm but I'm getting a full night's sleep and that makes dealing with the world easier.

[lunabee34]

These are such good suggestions; thank you!

I know I need to get into nature more. I spend all my time inside from June to October because it's so damn hot here, but I also do much better when I get outdoors. And we have so much beautiful nature to look at just in our yard! I look at it all the time through the windows, but that's not the same.

I think breath-work and meditation is something I really want to explore. They both have scientific evidence backing them as practices that reduce stress.

[independence1776]

You're welcome!

Could you go out in the mornings before it gets too bad? Sit in your backyard or porch for a few minutes before heading back in?

Also, and I know other people have said, but thank you for posting and asking. Other people's comments have been useful to me as well.

[lunabee34]

I think that's what I will have to start doing; just get in a few minutes in the morning before it's too hot.

I'm glad this post has been helping you, too.

*hugs*