Here we are at the beginning of summer 2021. School is ending, the days are longer, and summertime is calling. During these very busy times, it is important to remember to take some time to care for yourself in order to stay emotionally well.
Summer offers ample opportunity to engage in acts of self-care. Self-care is the act of taking care of oneself in order to maintain a feeling of well-being, both physically and mentally. Self-care can consist of many activities that help us feel better when we are stressed out.
Here are a few examples of self-care:
Maintain a consistent schedule. Go to bed and wake up at consistent times. Eat healthy meals at the same time each day. Follow daily routines. These things can keep our minds and bodies healthy, and bring a sense of comfort to us in these tumultuous times.
Unplug. Watch less television, scroll through less social media. We can get fatigued from too much bad news. Instead, read some thing enjoyable, try a new hobby, listen to some fun music, get outside, or go for a walk. Find things that help you relax and allow you to take your mind off the discourse we see daily on social media and news outlets.
Reach out to your friends and family. Send a text, make a call, or arrange a gathering. Maybe plan a small outdoor event or picnic. With COVID restrictions decreasing and the weather being quite pleasant, there are plenty of opportunities to safely gather outdoors.
Try to remember to stop, breathe, and be. Sit with yourself in a quiet place, and take a few deep breaths to re-center. This discomfort and uncertainty will pass. Journaling, meditation, prayer, and listing intentions are also good outlets to release stressors.
Get help if you need it. There are self-help meetings available online, just search “self-help” online and a plethora of resources will be revealed. Self-help meetings are opening up for in-person meetings. Call a professional if you are struggling. Just like you would call a doctor if you had high blood pressure, you can call a therapist for anxiety or depression. There are many community mental health agencies in Western Oklahoma as well as online therapists. A web search will link you to the help you need.
Remember to take a few minutes for yourself each day. This helps each person to “recharge” so that they can then do things for others. Happy self-care!
Sarah Mears-Ivy brings 13 years of experience in the field of human sciences and advocacy.