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Spend time outside
It’s called the great outdoors for a reason people! Whether you take a walk, a hike, a swim, join a community garden, or just take some time to sit outdoors – you’ll gain the benefits of some natural vitamin D, fresh air, and so much more!2
Try something new.
Have you ever had your eye on a new hobby? Did you know that our brains are still actively growing until around age 25? There’s always time to learn something new and fun. Take the plunge and try that art class, rock that climbing wall, or crush those ukulele lessons! Don’t want to do it alone? Ask a friend to go with you. Sharing experiences with those around us helps us to step outside our comfort zone and can provide some good laughs along the way!3
Host a Netflix marathon
Let’s face it, there are times when staying in pajamas, cozying in with our favorite blanket, and tuning out for a while is just what we need! Whether this is some much needed alone time or you invite some fellow movie lovers, taking some time to “binge” on your favorite shows can be a good thing!4
Get your hands dirty
Ever try gardening? Baking or cooking? Art? Building? There are so many ways to work with your hands that have nothing to do with technology (hint: we are asking you to unplug yourself for a while). Working with our hands has been shown to help reduce stress. Do something you already love or delve into something new that could become a fun new skill!5
It’s time to play!
So many of us believe that play is reserved for kids. Other than being a source of fun, do you know what else play does? It helps our brains process the tough stuff. It’s time to remember that the term adult really just means, “big kid” and play in your own way! Are you a creative player? A team player? Or do you need to re-learn how to play? Don’t worry … it’s just like riding a bike!6
Get active
Sometimes we feel like our grief brain can slow us down. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn that it’s ok to slow down, but strive to keep Actively Moving Forward® at whatever speed is right for you. What kinds of things did you like to do before your person died? Here are some ideas to kick it off: kayaking, workout classes, swimming, walking, biking, hiking … now it’s your turn!7
Helping others, helps us
Once again, the trusty old research shows us that volunteering is shown to increase all of those feel-good chemicals in our brains to help us feel happier! So pick a cause that really matters to you and find out how to get involved. This is like a BOGO (buy one, get one) deal for your brain!8
Pamper yourself
This means different things to different people. Maybe you go get a haircut or it can be as simple as taking the time to shave. Try a nice face mask, paint your nails, or learn how to do some simple reflexology on yourself. Have you tried just laying a face towel soaked in warm water on your face? It sounds weird, but it’s pretty relaxing! When you feel great, you look great.9
Life is better with books
Do you remember the last time you read a book for fun? If so, good for you! If not, you are not alone. It can be hard to find time to read for pleasure. Choose a book that piques your interest and find little opportunities to read it throughout the week. Ever think of replacing your before-bed screen time with a little old fashioned page time? Perk: reigniting our imagination while reducing harmful blue light, just in time to sleep a little better.10
Express yourself
This is something so many of us would benefit from doing on a regular basis, but it does take time to incorporate it into our routine. There are so many different ways we can express ourselves. Have you tried music, writing, art, movement, or talking? These are just some of the ways we can let our thoughts be heard. Expressing ourselves doesn’t just have a brain benefit, it also has a body benefit. When we keep things bottled up, it can affect how our bodies function. So do yourself a favour – find an outlet that’s right for you … and then use it.11
Give yourself a break
Reminder: Rome wasn’t built in a day, so don’t expect your self-care to be either. It’s all about taking it slow and steady to build these skills and practices into your life. Just remember, it’s easy to tell yourself that you can start tomorrow, but your brain, body, and soul will appreciate any little start you make today!