- 3 min read

Have a Nap, It’s Called Self-Care- [The Wasted Time Project]

When I first realised I was suffering with depression, the first self-care thing I did was to try to do things that were away from social media. Facebook and co. can be fun and great to connect with people, but if you’re struggling with depression, scrolling through a stream of perfectly posed depictions of contentment is basically rubbing salt in the wound. FYI people aren’t as perfect as the internet wants us to believe. There’s no place for the crappy parts of life on social media- there isn’t an instagram filter for it.

So here are my top ten self-care activities that I used to do all the time and will now be implementing in my life again, rather than being a slave to the scroll.

There are days when everything has just got too much and by the time I get home, I literally cannot think properly. So taking half an hour to an hour to just switch off from the world does wonders. I wake up thinking clearer and emotionally I’m a lot more relaxed rather than feeling like a coke bottle that’s been shaken.

Image result for DAVID ATTENBOROUGH BLUE PLANET GIF

Ok. This may be a bit specific, but hear me out. If you suffer from anxiety and depression, I really recommend the Blue Planet series. For me, it gives me a focus that’s away from the stress in my head. I’m listening to the information (I challenge you to find a more relaxing sound than Attenborough’s voice) and watching what he’s saying happen on screen which eases my anxiety. Plus watching something that is full of so much beauty can really help if you’re struggling with negative thoughts. It’s hard to feel negative when watching Dolphins get high on puffer fish and penguins slipping about on ice.

I did a separate post a while back about using music to help alleviate stress and anxiety- click here to read. You’ll be surprised at how taking a couple of hours just chilling out listening to music can really ease the strain on your brain.

Would I rather be sitting on a couch in Wigan, worrying about everything I need to do tomorrow, or would I rather be strolling around Hogwarts? No competition really. Even sitting without your phone and reading a magazine can just give you the time to breathe and focus on something nice.

There is nothing like talking to that one person who knows you better than everyone else. There are no expectations, you can literally talk about whatever comes into your head- it’s the best therapy.

Yes taking care of ourselves physically is important…blah, blah, blah, but if you need to sit with a tub of ice cream and a Disney film to make yourself feel better, then you do it- sod you green smoothies, this is self-care!

There are very little problems in this world that can’t be fixed by a cup of tea and a hug from my grandparents.

Have a long hot bath or shower, do your nails, book a massage, complete an phenomenally long skincare routine- facemask not facebook.

Sit down and just have a minute with yourself and a good cup of tea. No texts, no scrolling, no nothing. Allow yourself to acknowledge the things that are bothering you, then let them go.

Have I said that already? Ah well, what can I say- I’m a firm believer in the nap. If your computer isn’t working you turn it off for a bit don’t you? See computer science supports naps!