Salon post: February 9th

[jenett]

Welcome to this week's salon post!

I've been home sick for two days (today I am actually at work, but also dubious I'm going to make it to the end of the day, but I had a couple of things that would be complicated to put off and I no longer feel completely lousy.)

Topic of the week
So, what do you do for self-care that makes a big difference for you? And has that changed over time, or with different situations?


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Comments

[hunningham]

Exercise! I'm realising that one of the best things I can do for myself is get some exercise. It really helps (me) with depression. And now all I have to do is try and find ways to make sure I do this thing, because when I'm feeling bad it's really hard.

Things which have worked for me. This is all me, me, me - what works for me and makes a difference to me, not a rule for all.

1) Personal trainer. This is very much about having the dosh to pay for it, but here I am outsourcing the motivation and will-power. Doesn't matter what I feel like, Monday morning this guy will turn up on my doorstep and exercise will happen.

2) fitbit! I bought a fitbit on ebay, and I love it. Originally I wanted to measure sleep, now it's all about counting steps. The trick is to have a reasonable daily goal, not a stretch goal, and go for the everyday thing. Evenings, I am now "I must go for a walk - I have steps to step". I love the little buzz and rocket ship which appears when target goal is met. This works for me - I like counting things. Also, it is possible for me to step out of my front door and walk somewhere safe & pleasant. I have audiobooks to listen to while I walk.

A warning. If fitbit goals involve guilt or self-blame or distress, then it's not working and you should get rid of it. Sell it on ebay.

Things which didn't work for me at all. Yoga. Pilates. Both left me grumpy, out of sorts and ill at ease with my body. Any kind of exercise class with routines and things done in time to music. Exercise classes in general. I hate running.

[rmc28]

I love my fitbit, and I've definitely been motivated to go and Do More Steps by the prospect of turning everything green :-) I've also learned that setting my goals to things that I *can* hit almost every day is way more motivating than leaving them at my "in an ideal world" setting. I have a whole slightly complicated process for tracking and updating progress against my goals each week - but then I love doing slightly complicated processes and marking progress that way.