what do you do to care for yourself in times of struggle

[Sativarain1]

I'm going thru a very hard time right now. I am trying really hard to stay strong within..

What are your favorite ways to self care?

I already:
do yoga, look at my angel cards, walk several times a week in the woods, drink tea..... but deep down my soul hurts and these things just mask the pain.



Thanks!

[hotmamacita]

Your sentence about your soul hurting prompted me to reply.

I encourage you to....journal, weep, laugh, rest, ache, cry, rejoice, mourn, journal some more....honor your feelings, your story, your hopes, and your hurts! Give yourself time.

[ssh]

I read more when life is stressful. It's distracting and when I focus on something after a distraction sometimes I can see it more clearly. What your doing sounds good and music can be very healing too.

[EarthRootsStarSoul]

I tend to not eat under stress, so I make sure I"m eating good meals.

[*bejeweled*]

I pray. I also take lots of naps, journal, drink tea, and allow myself to acknowledge and honor my feelings.

[mumkimum]

I listen to music - find a song that is meaningful to how I'm truly feeling and listen to it and feel that way while I am, over and over. Find some songs that are a little more hopeful in comparison, and start to listen to those and feel that way too when I'm ready.
I'll also allow myself more indulgences than I might otherwise, like pick up a good chocolate bar or prepared dessert or something nice for the bath (I normally feel guilty for spending the extra $ on a regular basis - if I'm dealing with any major stress, I try to remember to take care of myself and allow a little more - something you can look forward to).

[earthmama369]

I try really hard to strike a balance during those times. I go introspective, deal with whatever I need to deal with, wallow -- for a couple hours -- but I also try really hard to keep a good attitude, to remember that it is what it is and it's not the end of the world (even though it might feel like it), and get OUT of my head and connected with the world around me. That can be anything from reading a ton of romance books (guaranteed happy endings!), volunteering somewhere and helping out, gardening, going somewhere new for a mini adventure, or getting in some social time with friends.

[Italiamom]

Originally Posted by Sativarain1

I'm going thru a very hard time right now. I am trying really hard to stay strong within..

Hugs to you mama! Me too. I wish I had excellent advice for you. I try to blow off steam how I can (what you do already sounds great), and just focus on the future.

It is okay, though, to wallow in sadness from time to time. Rather than try to distract, give yourself some time to feel whatever is hurting in your life right now.

[KristyDi]

I second the journaling. I do not keep a regular journal or diary, but in times of great stress I find myself picking up pen and paper and pouring out my heart. All the pain and anger, worries both rational and irrational, things I'm too scared or too polite to say aloud. It dosen't solve anything, but I feel lighter, less like the hurt or anger is seeping out at the seams.

I also tend to read more. Losing yourself in a good book is a good way to lay down your burdens for a while. Heck even a half way decent book will do, provided it makes me forget and has a happy ending.

It's ok to let down your guard sometimes too and just hurt for a while. You don't have to be strong all the time.

I pray you begin to heal and move towards peace soon.

[*bejeweled*]

I also color with pencils. It is really soothing.

Like these kaleidoscope pics I get from Michael's or here:

http://www.barbsgalaxy.us/ColoringPa...ope/index.html

[fullofgrace]

Hi, I've moved this to Personal Growth which is a support-only zone for "non-parenting aspects of our personal lives as we strive to grow, gain greater self-awareness and find balance as individuals."

I'm sorry you are having such a hard time. Gentle .

[Lady Mayapple]

You mentioned that your soul hurts. If you can identify the forces that are hurting you, through journaling, meditation, or maybe you already know what the problem is, you can take steps to "remove" those forces from you. I don't know what you believe or what your faith is. I am Pagan, and when I feel like you do, I often interpret those feelings as being a symptom of psychic attack. Banishing and protection spells are useful and help me to keep those forces away from me. Sometimes just a simple meditation of visualising the source of the negative energy that is wreaking havoc in my life and visualising a barrier of light that keeps that energy away helps me feel calmer. It doesn't really matter what your beliefs are, just do what works best for you. Maybe it is prayer, maybe its casting a spell or meditating. But try to do something that shifts control of the situation to YOU.

[mexicali mami]

If I have the money, I really enjoy to get a massage, get acupuncture, or see a chiropracter. If I can't afford anything, I just like to sleep it off. I find that even my darkest of moods will eventually life with time..so I just try to wait it out and know that I will eventually feel better. Hope it comes sooner than later.

[number572]

Listening to positive talk radio (hay house radio online, some shows are cheesy but some are really uplifting) or sound healing wave music (youtube has alot of playlists for this music) helps. I fall asleep listening to it, with headphones sometimes, I keep 1 earbud in & 1 out so I can hear household noises. I've been putting off finding a good therapist to listen to me whine, but... I just keep putting that off. Hope you feel better soon. Oh, I also paint or draw or work on my digital photos or something temporarily distracting when stuff gets too heavy.

[BunnySlippers]

Originally Posted by EarthRootsStarSoul

I tend to not eat under stress, so I make sure I"m eating good meals.

Me too!
I remind myself that life is a continuous journey with good and bad and I will grow from it.

Funny how the good times slip by seemingly unnoticed, but the awful parts bog ya down.

and hoping this time in your life passes shortly.

[zebra15]

Originally Posted by *bejeweled*

I also color with pencils. It is really soothing.

Like these kaleidoscope pics I get from Michael's or here:

http://www.barbsgalaxy.us/ColoringPa...ope/index.html

Thanks for that link.... I need something like that --- for later

[zebra15]

I go to the library, for me that is my quiet place. Where I live its just too hot to be outside right now so I seek refuge at the library. that is where I journal, read, get lost in thoughts. Work on a writing project, email, whatever.

[Magelet]

most recently, I called a friend on the phone. I haven't had friends in a long time, and calling and telling someone else about the really hard place I/we are/were in was really really hard, and it took me about a month to do it, to call a friend and talk about it, but it helped so much. she didn't have much advice, but sharing it with someone outside the situation, who didn't have a "Stake" in it, and who could listen, and remind me that others are there too (she's in a not so different situtaion) was so helpful. It was really hard though.

I like to take baths, salt water baths, to wash all the negative energy away, and plus it's so relaxing. I try to feed myself well, and read a lot but not all the time (which is both escapism and relaxation for me.) I try to remember to get outside at least once a day, even for an errand as I tend to get "stuck" in the house for no good reason.

I like to lay in the sunny window with the cat. It's very soothing and relaxing and primal.

[texmati]

in the past journaling has helped me so very much. but sometimes it's to painful even to do that.

[bluebirdiemama]

Journaling really helps, so does making sure I am eating a good diet, with nutrient rich foods. I also pray. And re-creating my living space, which involves moving all the furniture in the house, hanging curtains or pictures, etc.

I am sorry you are hurting. I hope you find good support, and what your soul is searching for.