{"id":6578,"date":"2017-07-25T08:30:59","date_gmt":"2017-07-25T12:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/healthyhorizons\/?p=6578"},"modified":"2017-07-20T10:22:07","modified_gmt":"2017-07-20T14:22:07","slug":"self-care-mindfulness-and-grounding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/healthyhorizons\/health-maintenance\/self-care-mindfulness-and-grounding\/","title":{"rendered":"Self-Care, Mindfulness, and Grounding"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Self Care<\/em>\u00a0in health refers to the activities individuals, families, and communities undertake with the intention of enhancing health, preventing disease, limiting illness, and restoring health. Self-Care exercises are also known as Mindfulness or Grounding Techniques, and are usually used to de-stress, relax, or otherwise make yourself feel good.<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Self-Care is individualistic, meaning it is different for everyone. It is suggested that everyone spend a minimum of a half hour a day engaging in self-care.<\/p>\n

Self-Care is divided into seven different types of exercises. Here are some examples:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"self_care\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Sensory<\/h4>\n

When you feel stressed, calm down by focusing on the sensations around you \u2013 sights, smells, sounds, tastes, and touch. This will help you focus on the present moment.<\/p>\n

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  • <\/i>Breathe in fresh air<\/li>\n
  • <\/i>Snuggle under a cozy blanket<\/li>\n
  • <\/i>Listen to running water<\/li>\n
  • <\/i>Take a hot shower or warm bath<\/li>\n
  • <\/i>Get a massage<\/li>\n
  • <\/i>Cuddle with a pet<\/li>\n
  • <\/i>Burn a scented candle<\/li>\n
  • <\/i>Wiggle your bare feet in the grass<\/li>\n
  • <\/i>Listen to music<\/li>\n
  • <\/i>Listen to your breathing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Pleasure<\/h4>\n

    Engaging in an activity that you enjoy<\/p>\n

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    • <\/i>Take yourself out to eat<\/li>\n
    • <\/i>Garden<\/li>\n
    • <\/i>Watch a movie<\/li>\n
    • <\/i>Do a craft project<\/li>\n
    • <\/i>Journal your thoughts<\/li>\n
    • <\/i>Walk your dogs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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      Mental\/Mastery<\/h4>\n

      Give yourself a boost by doing a task that you\u2019ve been avoiding, or by challenging your brain in a new way.<\/p>\n

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      • <\/i>Clean out a junk drawer or a closet<\/li>\n
      • <\/i>Take action (one small step) on something you\u2019ve been avoiding<\/li>\n
      • <\/i>Try a new activity<\/li>\n
      • <\/i>Drive to a new place<\/li>\n
      • <\/i>Make a list<\/li>\n
      • <\/i>Immerse yourself in a crossword puzzle or word search<\/li>\n
      • <\/i>Read something you normally wouldn\u2019t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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        Spiritual<\/h4>\n

        Getting in touch with your values \u2013 what really matters \u2013 is a sure way to cope with stress and foster a calm mind.<\/p>\n

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        • <\/i>Attend church<\/li>\n
        • <\/i>Read poetry or inspiring quotes<\/li>\n
        • <\/i>Light a candle<\/li>\n
        • <\/i>Meditate<\/li>\n
        • <\/i>Pray<\/li>\n
        • <\/i>Spend time in nature<\/li>\n
        • <\/i>List 5 things you\u2019re grateful for<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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          Emotional<\/h4>\n

          Dealing with our emotions can be challenging when we\u2019re coping with stress. We tend to label feelings as \u201cgood\u201d or \u201cbad\u201d but this isn\u2019t helpful. Instead:<\/p>\n

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          • <\/i>Accept your feelings. They\u2019re OK. Really.<\/li>\n
          • <\/i>Write your feelings down \u2013 journaling<\/li>\n
          • <\/i>Cry when you need to<\/li>\n
          • <\/i>Laugh when you can<\/li>\n
          • <\/i>Practice self-compassion<\/li>\n
          • <\/i>Keep a list of your daily accomplishments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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            Physical<\/h4>\n

            Cope with stress by getting your body moving.<\/p>\n

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            • <\/i>Try yoga<\/li>\n
            • <\/i>Go for a walk or a run<\/li>\n
            • <\/i>Dance<\/li>\n
            • <\/i>Stretch<\/li>\n
            • <\/i>Go for a bike ride<\/li>\n
            • <\/i>Don\u2019t skip sleep to get things done<\/li>\n
            • <\/i>Take a nap<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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              Social<\/h4>\n

              Connecting with others is an important step of self-care.<\/p>\n

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              • <\/i>Go on a lunch date with a good friend<\/li>\n
              • <\/i>Call a friend\/family member on the phone<\/li>\n
              • <\/i>Participate in a club<\/li>\n
              • <\/i>Join a sports team<\/li>\n
              • <\/i>Volunteer<\/li>\n
              • <\/i>Join a support group<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Staying Healthy<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n