Self care - what does it mean to you? How do you factor it in to your life?

I do my back exercises first thing in the morning and/or last thing at night, my back is my priority, any issues I could be stymied to help anyone, including grandchildren!

I have just been on holiday with a friend who has knee exercises every day.

Some days she did them, others not.

My self-care went out of the window...!

Self care is making time for myself sitting down with a nice cup of tea, doing the crossword and relaxing.

How do you make sure you factor it in? My life doesn't seem to work like that.

Mine doesn’t either Kittylester. I work on the principle that it’s better to do just a few repeats of one or two exercises than none at all. It’s surprising how much exercise I end up fitting in and my physio approves. I apply the same principle to decluttering.

I look on self care as taking a bit of responsibility for my own health and wellbeing. My Fitbit tells me how much exercise I need to do each day. I don't always make the target but some days I really exceed it. I don't enjoy exercise but religiously attend Aquafit classes three times a week because I know they're good for me.
I'm a bit defensive about it really as I had a friend who expected a pill for everything, drank to excess, wouldn't eat fruit and veg, ran to the doctor at the first sniffle. It made me very keen to do what I could for me. I know my attitude annoyed her though.

The first half hour after I wake and get up is for me to sit alone with my tea (in the garden under a tree if it’s dry) and just dwell on the day ahead.

The following hour is spent exercising, checking emails and news before a shower then breakfast.

Whatever needs to be done that morning then gets done - good, bad and trivial stuff on my list. This leaves the afternoon for sheer enjoyment whether it be reading, socialising, or snoozing and catching up with a series on tv.

I like a wind down before bedtime too where I read or do crosswords for ten minutes before ablutions then bed for another seven hours of lovely restorative sleep 😴. That’s my self care sorted.

I prioritse it, if it something like exercises that are given.

I do things like that before I deal with grandchildren. Or after they have gone to bed.

This mornng had a long bath. As needed it.

I am with Judy54 - I go for a daily walk, that’s it. I have managed so far, without any dire health issues. My next door neighbour does even less - not even a daily walk and touch wood, we are both quite well.

I have the same problem as kittylester - find it impossible to factor in back exercises. I wonder whether it’s easier if you live alone. DH gets up at the same time as me and breakfast is a companionable time of day. Then daily life takes over. I get very annoyed with myself and constantly invent routines but they never work.

I had knee pain for a while a year ago and a friend’s son who’s a physio gave me some stretching exercises to do. I do about 5 mins in bed before I get up - bending the leg, stretching etc. then 5 mins in the bathroom. Same at night. 1/2 hour walk every day at least. Aqua fit at the pool once a week. No knee pain now 👍 (and we have 8 GC!)

Self-care fr me is just that - being more careful and concentrating instead of thinking about other things and then having an accident.
It doesn't always work, as evidenced recently but, with little r no help or advice from the GP, I decided to do what I thought was best. That does involve sitting with my feet up in the afternoon as well as getting back to normal activities! However, that seems to be helping 🤞

Trying not to get stressed, eating 5+ a day, taking supplements.

We all need to take time for ourselves kittylester sitting down with a cuppa and the crossword takes only 15/20 mins out of the day ( although it depends on how difficult the crossword is) I go for walks, do Tai Chi, clean the house, shop, cook, meet up with family/friends. Quite happy with what I am able to do some days are more busy than others.

We usually find time for a cup of tea and the crossword but not so much in the school holidays.

Get my big mug of coffee at 7.30, sit in bed and read paper, including easy crossword, for the next hour. That sets me up for the day.

Self care for me is tea and toast and puzzles and newspapers on the library app on waking, exercises classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays every week that everyone knows is non-negotiable (although I’ve never said that, I just assume it’s known) . I’m not disciplined enough to do exercises at home, I have to go somewhere where other people are exercising (not gym😄!) I do a dance class and a Qi Gong/Tai Chi class. Sing in a group once a week.

“Afternoon rest” usually for an hour any time between 2 and 4 when I may read, or doze.

I do only have (and will only ever have) one grandchild. 🥲

Walking daily, ditto tai Chi and exercises to keep me physically strong.

I have always eaten well, in the healthy way, as a the result of a chldhood health condition.

Everything does seem to have gone 'go hand'over the past year as we have stuggled to move house. But we moveed into our new home today and we are both lining up all the local activities that itnerest us ready to launch into the September
start of a new activity year.

I do exercises when making the bed, or immediately after saying my morning prayers.

Surely, if exercises are important enough you find a time of day that suits you, and just do them.

Spouses, visitors etc. don't question your need to go to the toilet, so why should they prevent you doing the exercises you have to do`? Or you make these people an excuse for not doing your exercises?

I do whatever I want to, spent many years doing things for others particularly family, I did not begrudge one minute but now being a widow and the three boys flown the nest I have realised how I put myself last. Get up when ever suits me, go to bed the same, buy what I want to buy and go wherever I desire.

Caring for my husband full time means I have precious little time for self care but every night after he goes to sleep I sit and watch something rubbish on prime video or Netflix and eat something that is probably bad for me.
I don’t do exercises, though I make sure I exercise during the day with my DH whose mobility needs to improve.

kittylester

Just that really.

I have been given some exercises to do to strengthen my knee and, with the grandchildren having school holidays (!!) I have decided to abandon trying to do them till the visitors stop.

Get the little ones doing the excerxises with you. Put some music on and have fun.

I go to three exercise class each week ....seated... but with resistance bands.
I go to aquasise once a week, a longish walk on Saturday honour local common. There are beautiful woods to walk through which have been most welcome on hot days. I walk into town once a week and then bus home if shopping to carry otherwise I walk back to.
Each morning while waiting for kettle to boil I use a band to strenthen my hip muscles as both have been replaced.
I try to healthy fish, chicken, salads, veggies and don't buy biscuits any longer or sweets of any kind.
I feel I am being as pro active as I can but my downfall is a daily pack of crisps and a couple of slices of tea loaf spread with spread to help my cholesterol. Life is too short to cut out all goodies!!! 😆😅

Every morning after getting up I sit for an hour with coffee and breakfast, after taking my meds and Paracetamol, I can feel my joints unwinding and my brain waking up, I do wordle and sumplete and then I'm ready to start the day

Self care for me involves a weekly Pilates class (and, if I’m good and remember, do some of the exercises between the weekly class, but admit I’m not as diligent as I should be). I do exercise in other ways, ie, try to fit a short walk, do plenty of housework, garden.

I also try to be sure I’m eating healthily, drinking enough fluids, and move about as much as possible.

It’s also important to spend time relaxing, too, either reading, being on here, doing puzzles, painting, watching tv, relaxing in the garden, meeting friends, bird watching, etc. These things are important for self care, too.

Some time spent on oneself is time well spent and shouldn’t be ignored.