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Taking Care of Me

Taking Care of Me

We often hear the term ‘self-care’ or “self compassion” in the media and in conversation with others. But what does it really mean and how is self-care helpful? Self-care is an intentional activity that refuels you, helps you feel calm and connected to your emotions and resilience. Self-care is anything you do to take care of yourself so you can stay physically, mentally, and emotionally well. Its benefits are better physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being. Research suggests self-care promotes positive health outcomes, such as fostering resilience, living longer, and becoming better equipped to manage stress. Self-compassion means responding to yourself with kindness when you are experiencing a difficult time. We will support you to develop your own self-care/wellness plan and explore ways to practice self compassion, finding ways to bring focus and joy to your own needs each day. 

But what does it really mean and how is self-care helpful?

Stop Watch

Take a Break

Give your stress response a rest by taking your focus away from the stresses around you. Go for a walk, have coffee with a friend, play a game, listen to music, etc. For more tips on ways to take a mental health break, check out this article from ActiveMan: 5 Tips on How to Take a Mental Health Break – ActiveMan

Look Up

Notice Your Breathing

Deep breathing helps you relax and think more clearly by lowering your heart rate and blood pressure. It’s as easy as 1,2,3.

Nature

Laugh

It’s not always easy to do when you’re in a difficult situation. Laughing helps to release tension and gets your mind off your troubles. It affects our bodies similar to when we exercise and so much more fun. Learn about Laugh Therapy.

Communication

Reach Out

Support from others is an important way to cope with stress. They can help you balance out your thoughts and put things into perspective.

Location

Move

Physical activity is important for our physical, mental and emotional health. It improves our response to stress as it releases good chemicals in our brain.

Cog

The 4 As

When dealing with stress, our thoughts and the stories we tell ourselves can have a significant impact on our well-being. You have choices, they may not be easy, but you can learn to use the most effective one given the situation you are in.

  • Accept the things (and people) you cannot change. The only thing you can ever control is yourself.
  • Adapt by changing your attitudes and behaviours. Look at the big picture, adjust your expectations, think about stressors in less negative and more flexible ways.
  • Avoid unnecessary stress if possible. Sometimes it means saying no and setting boundaries.
  • Alter how you communicate and operate in your daily life. Express your emotions, make time for self-care, manage your time.
Cog

Do Something Just for You

Doing something we love to do can be more than fun. It can increase your sense of well-being and help you recover from stress. Singing is an easy one which releases the same feel-good chemicals in our body as exercise.

Get outside. Being out in nature has a calming effect and can reduce your stress. If you can take a walk in a wooded area where you can lose yourself in the sights, smells and sounds of nature.

Web Resources

For more information, we have compiled a list of resources to help you take care of your mental health and well-being during these difficult days.

Global

Healthy Break Activities

by Workplace Strategies for Mental Health

Notice Your Breathing

Deep breathing helps you relax and think more clearly by lowering your heart rate and blood pressure. It’s as easy as 1,2,3. For more self-care ideas visit CMHA-Manitoba & Winnipeg’s Well-Being Learning Centre to register for one or more of our free monthly mental health and well-being courses.

Artbeat Studio Inc.

Provides social supports, a working art studio and gallery space, and mentorship for the purpose of fostering the recovery and empowerment of individuals living with mental illness. All programming is on a drop in basis and free of charge.
· 204-943-8290
· 2nd flr – 444 Kennedy Street
· Website: www.artbeatstudio.ca

Printable Resources

Dealing with problems in a structured way

by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Self-Care Checkup

Self-care activities help us enhance our well-being and maintain good mental health.

What is Compassion Fatigue?

Self-care activities help us enhance our well-being and maintain good mental health.

Pre-recorded Webinars and Media

Ask for Support

A free webinar presented by Margaret Tebbutt of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Boundaries in Balance

A free webinar presented by Lucette Wesley of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

The Mental Health Continuum: Are you or a co-worker struggling?

What is the mental health continuum? What is the stigma around mental health at work? How can I help if I see someone struggling? In this Manitoba Employee Government Union (MGEU) Healthy Minds at Work video, with former CMHA-Manitoba & Winnipeg Director, Ela Partyka, answering these questions and more. Q&A with Ela from Canadian Mental Health Association - YouTube

Videos

Audio

Books

Rising Strong

By: Brene Brown
Details shared stories of being brave, falling, and getting back up. Brown explores the power of emotion and leaning in to discomfort and cultivating wholeheartedness.

Self-Compassion

By: Kristin Neff
Offers expert advice on how to limit self-criticism and offset its negative effects, enabling you to achieve your highest potential and a more contented, fulfilled life.

Clarity & Connection

By: Yung Pueblo
Describes how intense emotions accumulate in our subconscious and condition us to act and react in certain ways. In his characteristically spare, poetic style, he guides readers through the excavation and release of the past that is required for growth.

Inward

By: Yung Pueblo
Collection of poetry and prose that explores the movement from self-love to unconditional love, the power of letting go, and the wisdom that comes when we truly try to know ourselves. It serves as a reminder to the reader that healing, transformation, and freedom are possible.

How to Do the Work

(2021) LePera
Helps us recognize how adverse experiences and trauma in childhood live with us, resulting in whole body dysfunction—activating harmful stress responses that keep us stuck engaging in patterns of codependency, emotional immaturity, and trauma bonds. Unless addressed, these self-sabotaging behaviors can quickly become cyclical, leaving people feeling unhappy, unfulfilled, and unwell. Offers readers the support and tools that will allow them to break free from destructive behaviors to reclaim and recreate their lives.

Podcasts

Bewildered podcast with Martha Beck and Rowan Mangan

A podcast for people who are trying to figure it out. Join Martha Beck and Rowan Mangan for help figuring out everyday conundrums. If you’re bewildered, join us!

Oprah Super Soul podcast

Hear Oprah’s personal selection of her interviews with thought-leaders, best-selling authors, spiritual luminaries, as well as health and wellness experts. All designed to light you up, guide you through life’s big questions and help bring you one step closer to your best self.

We Can Do Hard Things podcast with Glennon Doyle

Life is freaking hard. We are all doing hard things every day – we love and lose; we forge and end friendships; battle addiction, illness, and loneliness; care for children and parents; struggle in our jobs, our marriages, our divorces; we try to set and hold boundaries – and we fight for equality, purpose, joy, and peace right in the midst of all the hard. We talk honestly about the hard. We laugh and cry and help each other carry the hard so we can all live a little bit lighter and braver, free-er, less alone.

Unlocking Us podcast with Brene Brown

Unfiltered conversations where we talk about relationships, health, work/life balance, motivation & our personal experiences.

Happier Podcast with Gretchen Rubin

Practical, manageable advice about happiness and good habits to this lively, thought-provoking podcast.

The Chasing Joy Podcast with Georgie Morley

shares meaningful conversations about wellness that will bring energy and joy into your life. Every week Chasing Joy dives into a topic related to wellness and brings on new guests with expertise in that area. 

The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast with Jennifer Gonzalez

Teaching strategies, classroom management, education reform, educational technology -- if it has something to do with teaching, we're talking about it.

Work Life podcast with Adam Grant

You spend a quarter of your life at work. You should enjoy it! Organizational psychologist Adam Grant takes you inside the minds of some of the world’s most unusual professionals to discover the keys to a better work life

Psychology 10 Minutes a Day David Feldman

Find out something new about psychology while you sip your morning coffee.

Relaxation Resources

In the Garden

(Video) Come rest and spend some time in this relaxing garden.


Canadian Mental Health Association: Stress

What exactly is stress and how is it caused? The Canadian Mental Health Association provides more information on stress and how it can affect your day-to-day life.

Stress Strategies

We all cope with stress differently. But some methods are less effective than others. The Psychology Foundation of Canada breaks down some of these common strategies and provides tips for coping with stress.

Health Links – Info Santé

Health Links – Info Santé, is available to all Manitobans, operates 24/7, 365 days of the year with a team of registered nurses answering callers’ health-related questions in both English and French. To access these services, call:

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