Do you struggle to incorporate self-care into your daily routine especially when you feel low?
There are going to be times when are mood changes for the worst.
We may have triggers that cause this or it may just happen.
Which is ok.
I have too experienced mood swings and there are times when I do not want to get out of bed.
But I challenge myself and reward myself for doing things that I may not necessarily want to do but I do it in order to make myself feel better.
I have compiled a list of ways that I use on a daily basis to enhance my mood and make me feel better when I feel low.
1. Take your time
The process of feeling better does not have to be a rushed process. And the process of healing is a long one. It won’t happen overnight.
I am still on my journey to healing.
Schedule time to focus on your emotions. Really focus on them! Instead of just ignoring it, try to identify what triggered your mood.
Did someone say something that you didn’t agree with? Is there a solution to your problem? If there is a solution, are you able to solve it effectively?
This is what I have learnt through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Learning how to analyse my worries has helped to not to stress too much over it and focus only on the things that I can control.
2. Practice staying present
When you notice your mind drifting and focusing on things that make you feel sad, mad or stressed, try the present moment focus technique- focus on things in your immediate environment.
What can you see? What can you smell? How does it make you feel? How many red objects can you identify?
3. Positive affirmations
Every morning, i say my affirmations. It has become a part of my daily routine.
At times we get consumed with negativity (not necessarily directly, but what we surround ourselves by) along with things that we don’t like about ourselves. We have to fight the negative self-talk that is in our head! Don’t let the voice win!
What is this voice?
This is the voice that tells us that we are not good enough and all our insecurities try to take over.
When I look in the mirror, I try to give myself a compliment. At times, it’s hard but you’ve got to give yourself a pep talk to raise your vibration and keep loving yourself.
My pep talk goes something like this, “Girl, you’re skin is clear! Look at you, you’ve worked so hard in the gym and the results are showing!
You’ve accomplished so much. Don’t doubt your power! You are a strong individual, you make people laugh, you make yourself laugh and your life is going to improve in so many ways!”
Try it. Next time you pass by a mirror, compliment yourself. And say it like you really mean it! Say it until you believe it!
4.Set rewards for yourself (yes, this counts as self-care too!)
These days, I’m preoccupied with completing my dissertation, working on my blog and working on my youtube channel!
What do you think I dislike doing the most? – My dissertation!
But it has to get gone right?
So far, I have been working on my dissertation for a couple of hours a day and once I have completed that, I reward myself. I have a treat (in moderation, of course). Sometimes, I watch a video on youtube or I go on IG.
I give myself small rewards and save the big rewards for later especially when I accomplish a big goal that I have set for myself.
What self-care practice(s) do you do or would like to do when you feel low?
Do let me know.
Thank you for reading and take care.
Self care is so important yet so hard sometimes. Thank you for this post.
It is hard but with time it will become easier! Thank you for reading
I like the idea of mindfulness and rewarding yourself for staying focused. It helps to realize smaller victories.
yes always celebrate your victories, big and small! Thank you for reading.