Wellness Accountability Huddle: Share Your Self-Care Toolkit

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@AffyAvo @Hotaru419 @floatingLeaf4973 @daydreammemories @stormieandpaws @EternalHero77 @pamharley003 @PatienceImpatiens @The24hrClimber @justmiles @NobleSeeker @BecauseImBatman22 @Moonlight52 @dawningCat @sonnieeee @goldenPenny223 @FallenStarss @RickestRick86 @MoonlightMittens7125

• I invested in a standing desk since I work long hours, and it's forcing me to periodically move and I am hoping that by setting alarms, I'll adapt to a routine of stretching!
• I keep stimming items (crystals and things to touch and play with) at my desk to keep me focused.
• Having a pet for me is a form of self-care. It requires discipline which I need and is also a helathy distraction/activity to spend time with him and nurture him. Can't let your habits be bad when you've got a lil fella depending on you!
• Youtube is always on in the bg. I switch between mood music playlists and my favorite lets players.
• The Finch app helps me manage micro habits!
• I've also begun minimizing time spent on unhealthy social media platforms, mostly in scrolling. It's the greatest most covert time drainer!

The Daily Go-To: Most days I play some time of game. Often Wordle before bed, although sometimes I'm tired enough where I just skip it and sometimes I remember to pick it up in the morning (I'm a typically play around 10 minutes after midnight type).

The Deep Reset: An audio book or podcast, a flavoured water often with a bunch of ice (if I'm hot) a roobois (if I'm cold), my bed to be set up all comfy and a long nap (sleep setting turned on for the audio). Especially after some medical treatments I get what feels like some of the deepest sleeps this way. If I'm not going to fall asleep a long soak in the bath.

The Comfort Item: I feel bad for putting him as an item, but do cuddles from my husband count here? I used to have a special blanket (and I still own it) but it got way too ratty. I bot a similar blanket later as I actually used to sort of prop my neck by putting it near my cheek with it, but when my eczema flared up I stopped using it. Was figuring out detergents plus was constantly changing my pillowcases.

Your Media Escapes: So many different podcasts. Criminal is one (low on triggers for being based on real crimes) and the same host also has This is Love - I can fall asleep easily to both. Canadian True Crime is a good one that's a more tradition True-Crime and is done responsibly (although it does cover some horrific things at times).

Games - besides the daily ones like wordle, I really enjoy nonagrams (I like the Nonagrams Katana app).

Treat Myself - NA drinks. I drink alcohol, but infrequently. It's nice to have a beer on a hot day, or a fancy tasty drink on the weekend without having any alcohol. So I try out different mocktails and beers and keep some of the ones I really like on hand.

Other stuff - my massage gun - I actually have 2. Started with the normal sized one which is great for the back (with someone else doing it) and quads/calves. The 2nd, a mini one is nicer to held for a while and is easier to use one areas that are a bit more sensitive/closer to bone.

Foam roller - I did those intense painful, end up bruised sessions years ago. I don't recall a beneft. Gently rolling my back, laying across it vertically to get a stretch? Yes!

Flavoured syrups - ever seen the water-tok trend? I don't go extreme. 1 flavour or sometimes I mix 2 in water, if I want to sweeten tea, in my green coffee. Sometimes I add to food too - hazelnut syrup on pancakes? yum.

Slightly expensive products that are used often. At the time, it felt expensive for what they were, but the step in shoes where the heel bounces back up. I had treatment 2x/week for years, had to take everything off, get my hair up and some treatments only lasted 6 seconds. Having an option between flip-flops and winter boots that I could get on and off quickly was worth it. They are also great for putting on and off in a hotel when you need to go for breakfast with a dress code by yourself and are unable to tie shoes ...

I'm putting this here not to suggest these shoes, but to suggest the items that seem a little bit expensive, still fit in your budget and would make your life a little easier many days. 

@Heather225

1. The Daily Go-To: Meditation, Journaling, Nature

2. The Deep Reset: Two Self Love and self soothing meditations

3. The Comfort Item: There's a small pot like thing. My laptop is also a comfort item haha.

4. Your Media Escapes: TV shows, Bollywood music, following sports, celebs and watching memes.

@Heather225
I created a routine Overview Calendar System, so to not knock myself done and actually see the improvement I did do from month to month, in many aspects and important reminders, that in standard society are not considered important when they are the basics to our mental sanity and energy to do anything in life.

https://imgur.com/a/mWmuMso my calendar ready to be filled-up with starts.

Here's my legend star system of important things to do:

- Pink 💕 heart & star : Social-Spiritual outing & Mindful Practice
- Green 💚 Big star & small star : New Courageous Physical Activity (ex. driving, biking, swimming, public speaking, public singing...) & ⛰ my usual Mountain Walk
- Blue 💙 Big star & small star : Hygiene (clean room, clean self) & the Deep Sleep 😴 that will come from a nice made bed and clean room.
- Yellow 🌟 Big Star & small star & Golden Star "This is my big Rock "work" and its teacher "presence" " : A GOOD HABIT for the week to substitute Media/Distraction & to help the Thesis getting done Lv1 (did something) & Lv2 (worked all day)
- Red ❤ Big Star : burocratic stuff and circumstances I can't predict and take-over my life from time to time... if I had a small star a would put boundaries bc not really everything needs to take-over my life, it's also my choice.

SPECIAL STICKERS REMINDERS of the process in achieving a goal:
- Ladybird 🐞 : "Let's Start Again" , little bug crawling/climbing from a bad day into a new day, starting with a little thing, a little accomplishment for the day, Exploring what can be rearranged and done for a better day.

- Sunflower 🌻 : "Be Kind to Yourself Day" give yourself a flower, not everything has to be about goals and improvements...it's time to rest and realise we are Human, reward yourself, just be there like a sunflower that follows the sun during the day.

@Heather225

The Daily Go-To: What is the habit or item you use the most frequently to stay grounded? (e.g., your morning beverage ritual, stepping outside for fresh air, a specific playlist)

for us to stay ground we pet our cat at times even a blanket  that soft so for us feel very important to us 

also we keep lights turned low as we very sensitive  to light if to bright it seem to unground us fast

The Deep Reset: What do you do when you are completely drained and need a major recuperation session?

we  get off feet lay down many times make up stories  in our head we know this seem odd but for us  it calming  we also at times gather in our world within  we can see our world witin when not fully out front most us within our inside world this when stressed out or dained helps us to find balance again

The Comfort Item: What is one physical thing you own that reliably brings you comfort? (e.g., a weighted blanket, a specific scent, a favorite mug)

our cat   soft blankets  around us   games on tablet   music at times   key chains  with games on them or sotf pets like little teddy  Baer or cat  also scent of lavender 

Your Media Escapes: What music do you listen to to de-stress? What comfort shows or movies do you re-watch? Are there any hobbies or games you get lost in?

worships  music helps  us at times  listening to bible being read to us on ap   we also do crafts and paint at times color too   latly we been getting lost in a game paradise  paws seem to be helping at times

we also do like a meditations  vacations going camping  or on walk at night by the lake so kinda based on  things we use to be able to do

this is like a mental break when overwhelmed  we long time ago wrote some our shared with others  but this can be amazing a lot of the time

@Heather225

1. Daily: My morning eating my bread and tomatoes ritual by the window with a vinal playing looking up at the mountain from my window... I manage to get the right setting in my corner of the room to do so... Eat and watch the sky and mountain. I even open the window to let the fresh air in.

2-3. with a candle and scented oil which involves all my sense but also kinda "pushes me" to have a different relasionship with my body, of literal care and kindness, of discovery and connection through the sensation of touch which is like giving yourself a caress or a hug. The feel of the human touch is something we take for granted. Also it pushes me to be more aware of how my body physically feels, how my emotions translate or show in my body. To separate how our body and mind react to an emotion, was an exercise our university psychologist gave to us students because she said that as student everything is more about the mind and studies ... and we forget about our body, how to feel its signs and responses. 

4. here I still struggle to find a positive Escape Media... I suppose 7Cup has been the best because I get to reflect on myself. So time spent on 7CUp like right now is a good way to escape but also reset.

@Heather225 My self care kit includes:

Morning Routine: Reading my bible in the morning, sharing good posts and networking on ***, drinking Cappuccino

I enjoy mid day walks on my treadmill while reading, reading good books, watching YouTube, being attentive to my animals.

Night Routine: Slowing down, maybe smoke CBD, watch Bernie Mac, and just be in the bed at a comfortable time

@Heather225

My Toolkit 🧰

1. The Daily Go-To: Music in the morning while I get ready (usually something to get me hyped), coffee, yoga/walking.

2. The Deep Reset: Pizza and my favorite movies. If I have to work, I'll just play them in the background. Also, gaming is a big part of resetting because it gives me a creative outlet to focus on.

3. The Comfort Item: A zip-up hoodie for NJPW (New Japan Pro Wrestling). Also, I have four beaded bracelets I wear every day.

4. Your Media Escapes: On really high emotion days, I like to watch this trifecta: KPop Demon Hunter, Deadpool & Wolverine and Smile 2. I'm always cycling through music albums and playlists: my current fave is Bitter Rivals by my favorite band Sleigh Bells.

@Heather225

The Daily Go-To: 
I always like to start my day with a coffee, it lets my mind know that the day has officially started. I would like to look into some alternatives and have tried some like matcha, green tea, water & lemon, etc but it doesn't feel the same and I don't stick with them long. 

The Deep Reset: 
I like to have an at home pamper & spa day. Make a comforting bath with epsom salt, listen to a relaxing playlist, watch a comfort show or movie, and eat some comfort food (e.g. burritos, nachos, pizza, anything warm and tasty really). I also will go for a walk around my area, to get some air and to help me think. 

The Comfort Item: 
Any of my massage products. I am saving up for a massage chair, but currently I like using my foot massager, my massage gun and a heated eye compress. At times when my body is tense, my mind will feel tense also, so it's a 2-in-1 win.

Your Media Escapes: What music do you listen to to de-stress? What comfort shows or movies do you re-watch? Are there any hobbies or games you get lost in?
I like watching shows or movies that I loved during the 90s/ early 2000's or set in those years because I feel like a kid again. Some of my faves to rewatch are Mr Bean, friends, the simpsons. Movies are My big fat greek wedding (i've probably watched it 100x), any Jim Carrey movie, musicals like Chicago, Sound of Music, Rocky Horror, Les Mis, Mamma Mia. 

Music
Kpop (Korean pop) mainly songs from 2010-2018
emo pop/ rock like MCR, paramore, red jumpsuit apparatus, blink 182
70's-80's rock - guns n roses, bon jovi, fleetwood mac, queen