Have you gone through today's top six of the self-care checklist?
1) have you had water? If not, go get a glass and drink water. Dehydration causes anxiety.
2) have you eaten healthful food with protein? If not, now's the time for an egg, some peanut butter, or some cheese. Get some complex carbs and/or vegetables in, too. So does low blood sugar.
3) have you cleaned up? If not, it's a good time for a shower or local equivalent, to brush your teeth and comb your hair and put on fresh clothes. So does feeling grungy.
4) have you said something nice to someone today? Positive reinforcement is a feedback loop -- the more you do it, the more confident you become about your reality.
5) have you stretched your legs or local equivalent? A little movement -- stretching, a walk to the mailbox or the end of the block, some gentle dancing -- activates muscles and helps lower the blood levels of our stress hormones. If walking isn't possible, grab a couple cans of soup or beans and use them as makeshift dumbbells. If you've got a PT routine, run through it.
6) have you cuddled with something or someone recently? Skin to skin or skin to fur contact reminds us that we're not alone.
Here's the whole list. http://www.popsugar.com.au/smart-living/Self-Care-Printable-39312165 I strongly suggest you keep a copy and when you're feeling anxious or overwhelmed or afraid, you go through the steps.
Self-care is not optional. It is a requirement of resistance. It is radical because it says you value yourself and your mind enough to 1) take care of yourself and 2) keep yourself as ready and able as possible to keep doing the work, and 3) that you value others enough to take responsibility for your own care to the extent you are able. If you cannot do it for yourself because it feels selfish, do it for the others who will have to carry you if you get too exhausted and demoralized to go on.
The opposition wants you demoralized, terrified, anxious and broken. They want you sick with grief and so frustrated you give up. They want you to go away and they don't care how. Don't give them what they want.
You're not alone. We are going to get through this together. It's going to be work, but we can do this and we are going to do it. Keep breathing. Keep working the next step. Step up when you can, and step back when you need to recharge. We're all doing that routine, so we always have a front line.
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