Today, I want to unpack the importance of trauma healing and self-care ideas. I dedicated a whole blog post and podcast to this subject matter because when you are healing and recovering from trauma and psychological abuse, all areas of your life might fall apart. We have seen in various movies the ugly aftermath of a loved one’s divorce, breakup, or death. These three examples can leave a person traumatized. The trauma can impact your ability to work, keep your home clean, finances, social engagements, and personal hygiene, and leave you a mess. Self-care is like oxygen. You need it to survive. I think of it as filling your cup of love because it got depleted or destroyed. I learned over time that I needed to guard and protect my self-care time. When I let it slip and stopped making it a priority, I became irritable, cranky, stressed, and overwhelmed. And when you are focusing on a self-care activity, you want to ensure that it brings value into your life. I learned that I needed to dedicate a whole day to myself. That’s right—an entire darn day to just me.

Now, most people can think that dedicating a whole day to myself is selfish. Think again. In this three-part series, I want to unpack the importance of self-care in a manner that not many consider. For example, most people think of self-care as being lazy, taking a nap, reading, grazing on snacks, or binge-watching on Netflix. There are nine types of self-care, and I will unpack them all for you today. So, be prepared to learn something new about self-care and why self-care is essential for your overall mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and overall well-being.

Number One: Mental Self-Care: Mental self-care to me is all about what you fill your mind with. Is it positive food or junk food? Here are seventeen mental self-care ideas.

1. Listen to music.
2. Relax, unplug and allow yourself to do nothing.
3. Read a feel-good book.
4. Learning a new skill like photography, painting, or creative writing.
5. Practice mindfulness throughout your day.
6. Listen to a podcast (no news).
7. Drawing, coloring or painting.
8. Create something artistic or play a musical instrument.
9. Play video games.
10. Work on or finish a puzzle.
11. Play and cuddle with your pet.
12. Write in your gratitude journal.
13. Turn your phone off or set it for do not disturb.
14. Seeking professional help when you need it.
15. Find ten things you are grateful for today.
16. Do a DIY project.
17. Take at least three breaks during your day (two at work and one lunch break).

I want to unpack practicing mindfulness throughout your day. When you wake up in the morning, stop and do a self-inventory. How are you feeling? Did you get enough sleep? If you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, find ten things you are grateful for today. It could be as simple as having a bed or a clean bed to sleep in, a pillow, your health, your pet, your home, and/or your job. You want to get your head in a better feeling place. Taking a hot shower or appreciating a hot cup of coffee or tea can boost your morale. Look outside and find something to enjoy. Just create a habit pattern of seeing the good things in life. For example, the flowers blooming, the sun shining, the clean air, harmony within your community, friendly neighbors, and lovely weather. Find appreciation for the money in your wallet, clean drinking water, indoor plumbing, and food to eat.

You can also create a mental health self-care day with your family. You can try the following eleven suggestions:

1. Read together.
2. Draw, color, or paint together.
3. Work on a DIY project together.
4. Snuggle together and watch a heartfelt movie.
5. Meditate together.
6. Create a story book.
7. Work on a memory scrapbook.
8. Lay on the grass or sit outside and find shapes or animals in the clouds.
9. Go for a walk and discover new things together.
10. Play a game together.
11. Cook together.

Number Two: Physical Self-Care. In this section, you want to find self-care related to feeling physically well and ways to maintain your physical health. Several of these physical self-care ideas can be done as a family. Here are eighteen ideas.

1. Stretching, yoga, walking, or some form of exercise that feels good to you.
2. Eat healthy food.
3. Exercise regularly.
4. Get good quality sleep or take a nap.
5. Keep your medical appointments.
6. Go outside and get some fresh air.
7. Take a bike ride or go swimming.
8. Dancing or sing.
9. Go outside and feel the sun on your skin.
10. Roller skating.
11. Have some intimacy time.
12. Jump rope.
13. Go to the zoo or museum.
14. Play a game of tag or red light/green light.
15. Practice deep breathing.
16. Plant a garden or work in your garden.
17. Drink more water.
18. Go fishing or bird watching.
19. Go to the library.

Number Three: Emotional Self-Care. Emotional self-care is about finding ways to attend to your emotions, discovering empathy for yourself, and seeking help when needed. You will notice that some of these self-care ideas can and will overlap, especially in this section. Here are seventeen ideas.

1. Stress management (take breaks and practice deep breathing).
2. Practice mindfulness throughout your day.
3. Stop throughout your day and just be present.
4. Write in a journal.
5. Talk it out with a trust, supportive, positive friend.
6. Drink some Tension Tamer Tea or take some Skullcap.
7. Practice self-compassion and patience with yourself .
8. Speak with a therapist or counselor.
9. Listen to music that makes you feel good.
10. Work on an art project.
11. Say I love you.
12. Talk about your feelings.
13. Watch a good positive movie.
14. Tell jokes or watch a comedian.
15. Work on a new craft idea.
16. Go on a date.
17. Meditate.

More Emotional Self-Care – Pamper Yourself

• Go to a spa.
• Get a massage.
• Get acupuncture.
• Take a shower.
• Take a relaxing bath.
• Get a facial or give yourself a facial.
• Wear a face mask or deep condition your hair.
• Get a haircut.
• Brush your teeth.
• Wear something that makes you feel pretty or good inside.
• Trim your nails or paint your nails.
• Trim your beard or shave.
• Light a candle, burn incense, or use essential oils.
• Cuddle with a pet.

Number Four: Social Self-Care. Social self-care has to do with healthy family and social relationships. Here are fifteen ideas.

1. Spend time with others (in person or virtually).
2. Focus on positive social media .
3. Play an online game with a friend or family member.
4. Set healthy boundaries and stick to it.
5. Set and balance your alone time.
6. Set and balance your social time (how often, small or large groups).
7. Join a meetup group.
8. Play with a friend, family member, or your pet outside.
9. Play a board game or card game.
10. Go stargazing.
11. Volunteer in your community.
12. Go to the movies or a comedy club with a friend.
13. Cook with family or a friend.
14. Host a dinner party.
15. Go on a picnic.

Number Five: Spiritual Self-Care. Spiritual self-care has to do with religious beliefs or spirituality. Here are sixteen ideas.

1. Talk to the full moon and appreciate its beauty.
2. Be one with nature. Walk barefoot in the grass.
3. Be on with the animals in nature.
4. Watch the sunset or sunrise.
5. Connect with your higher self.
6. Prayer.
7. Meditation.
8. Attending worship services or groups.
9. Connecting with like-minded positive people.
10. Gaze at the stars.
11. Quiet reflection.
12. Moments of appreciation and gratitude.
13. Listen to a spiritual podcast or audiobook.
14. Watch the Gaia Channel.
15. Read a book that feeds your soul spiritually.
16. Attend a spiritual workshop, fair, or form.

Number Six: Personal Self-Care. Personal self-care involves knowing and honoring yourself and what you enjoy. Here are ten ideas.

1. Do the hobbies you love.
2. Treat yourself today (good meal, massage, hot bath, foot massage, facial, nap)
3. Be open to trying something new (bucket list).
4. Listen to your internal dialog. Be aware of your thoughts, habits, and choice of words)
5. Discover yourself again.
6. Get to know yourself. What makes you unique?
7. Do something that makes your heart sing today.
8. Do something today that meets your mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical needs.
9. Do something kind for yourself today.
10. Pace yourself today and have patience.

Number Seven: Home Environment Self-Care. Home environment self-care involves maintaining a safe, functional, harmonious, balanced, and comfortable home environment. Here are fifteen ideas.

1. Declutter your home.
2. Organize your pantry and remove expired foods.
3. Organize your closet and donate items you no longer need or no longer use.
4. Cleaning, repair, upgrade and organize your home.
5. Putting a plant or fresh cut flowers in your home.
6. Creating a comfy space to relax.
7. Display artwork that makes you smile.
8. Paint a wall or display a large tapestry on the wall.
9. Does your home match you? Decorate or re-design a room.
10. Visit a garage sale or thrift store for affordable ideas.
11. Make sure your home feels safe, secure, and stable.
12. Create a healthy living environment.
13. If you do not feel safe, get security items that give you peace of mind.
14. Ask a trustworthy neighbor to watch your home when you go out.
15. Get a dog or fake dog barking motion sensor to scare away some people (indoor and outdoor use).

Number 8: Financial Self-Care. Financial self-care is about maintaining your financial goals and obligations. Here are twelve ideas.

1. Create a monthly budget.
2. Work on your money management.
3. Do you have savings?
4. Pay your bills and be grateful for the money to pay them.
5. Put money aside for a vacation.
6. Put money aside for the holidays.
7. Put aside each month some “FUN” money.
8. Speak to a financial planner or educate yourself about money management.
9. Create a swear jar.
10. If you want a house cleaner, put it in your budget.
11. If you want to create a garden or work on some home improvements, put money aside each month for these projects.
12. Create a spare coins jar.

Number Nine: Work, School and Caregiving Self-Care. This section is about tending to your needs in the realms of work, school and caregiving. Here are fifteen ideas.

1. How is your time management? If you are late all the time, meal plan the day ahead, clothing out the day before work, and set your alarm to remind you when to leave the house.
2. Do something that makes you feel productive today.
3. Do something that makes you feel valued today.
4. Learn and develop a new skill today.
5. Set healthy boundaries with yourself and others.
6. Learn the art of listening.
7. Think before you speak.
8. Communicate your truth and speak from your heart. Use the sandwich approach (bread is the positive, and fixings are the issue. Use I statements and only your statements when it’s positive. Never say BUT.)
9. Take your breaks and do some self-care techniques.
10. Take your lunch break and enjoy the complete lunch break. Do not cut corners or cut the lunch break in half.
11. Personalize your locker or workspace with a picture, plant, or flowers.
12. Have some good positive reading material around.
13. Listen to some calming music or enjoyable music to change your mood.
14. Drink your water.
15. Keep a positive mental attitude when you are dealing with negative people. You can agree to disagree.

I hope you have enjoyed this Trauma Healing and Self Care Ideas. Now there is one last self-care idea that came to mind. We are conscious creators, and how we think and feel matters. I suggest that if you create a life you love, visualizing, feeling, and practicing it into reality is essential. Some might call it the law of attraction, others mindful manifestation, and others consciously creating. Neville Goddard has an excellent audiobook on Audible.com titled Feeling is the Secret. Everything I do and has taught about the conscious and subconscious mind is quickly and perfectly explained in 40 minutes.

The new and improved eBook, paperback, and hardcover are now available on Amazon. Enjoy!

Checkout the Mental Health News Radio Network for additional mental health podcast material.

Song: Tiesto, Charli XCX – Hot in it