Having a hard time every now and then is part of life. However, some of those hard times are incredibly difficult and feel impossible to get through! But once you’re out the other side, you should recognise what you did for yourself and how far you’ve come.
Which is why you have to be kind to yourself over the following weeks – you’ve earned some self care time, and no one can say you haven’t! So here’s how to spend this time, if you fancy it, to really give yourself a break before getting back on your feet.
Surround Yourself with Fun
The more fun you have right now, the better you’re going to feel once the next couple weeks are up and you’re back to living life the way you’re used to. So, do some things that make you feel good, and plan it so you can enjoy yourself for at least a couple hours at a time. Whether this is going for lunch and a drink with a friend or simply binge watching a new series, as long as you’re having fun, it’s good for you!
Don’t Push Yourself
Whether you’ve been job hunting for months and it’s only just paid off, or you’ve just come back from a female plastic surgeon, don’t push yourself during this period of recovery. Of course, it’s not good to lie in bed or lounge on the sofa all day, but you can have a Netflix marathon and/or a lie in if you want to!
Just take some time to yourself, be gentle with your brain and body, and do something that makes you feel comfortable. You don’t need to turn your life entirely around right now – take it easy!
Don’t Go Through it Alone
Recovering from a hard time on your own is like trying to get blood out of a stone! Having no one around to talk to means the thoughts and feelings are likely to bottle up, even if you’ve got a diary to pour them into. You need someone there to bounce off of, to vent out loud to, and even get a bit of sage advice from. Call your nearest and dearest, make sure they know what’s going on, and ask if they can come over or if you can facetime for a bit later on.
Feel the Sun on Your Face
Getting outside is crucial during a time like this. Feeling the fresh air, witnessing blue skies and green trees – it can make you feel much stronger during a time of need. Even if you don’t go anywhere and it’s a walk around the block, or even just standing outside your front door, wait for good weather and then soak up some rays. Do this at least once a day and see how much better it makes you feel; it really puts things into perspective.
Can you be kind to yourself? It might take some getting used to, but it’s worth it.
Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-black-shirt-holding-white-plastic-bottle-4612155/
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
