We are putting the Self-Care Blog up this month because we need this so much right now during the holidays.  Thank you.

What is self-care?

Webster Definition: Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately, in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health.

Although it’s a simple concept in theory, it’s something we very often overlook. First of all Self-care is not always pretty when you are grieving.  I take that back.  Self-care is not always a hot bath and candle lighting. Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. It’s also key to a good relationship with oneself and another.

True self-care for the griever is acknowledging that your heart is hurting today.  I miss her so much.  I do not think I will survive today.  Self-care is getting in the trenches with the pain.  Allowing yourself to feel these feeling today.

It can be the taking that bath but knowing that you are going to do the ugly cry while you are in there.  Just have someone one on one time with your heart and your pain.

When asked the question: “Do you take care of yourself?” most of us will answer “Yes.” We’d even think, “What kind of question is this? Of course, I care about myself.” But when the question “In what ways do you take care of yourself?” is asked, that’s where the tricky part starts.

It is so hard to do self-care when your heart is broken. Here is a list of positive activities that are realistic and easy. I know that many of you are as stressed as I was, but these little things are important in our grieving process. These are the actions, or steps, needed for leaning in and going with the grief, and not pushing back against it. When we choose to push back the pain, simply:

• Breathe
• Take a walk
• Volunteer
• Join a Grief Healing  Group
• Go away for the weekend
• Turn off your cell phone and have a quiet day
• Start a new hobby
• Be alone with your thoughts (this should be fun!)
• Let in some fresh air
• Walk in the rain
• Take a nice drive
• Take a bath … with bubbles
• Take a yoga class
• Call a good friend and talk
• Exercise
• Sit with your pet
• Smile at someone on purpose
• Get some fresh air
• Sit alone on the beach
• Sleep-in
• Eat breakfast
• Have a good cry!
• Plan a night out with friends
• Go to the library
• Cook dinner for your family
• Listen to music
• Pray
• Have Sex
• Cuddle with someone
• Get a tattoo