This post was inspired by life experience and a hike in the woods where I saw these little roots exposed and vulnerable in the middle of the trail.
Triage is where we go when we know it's bad, but we don't know how bad.
When it comes to life and brave hearts everywhere, sometimes we just need some triage self care. It might be because we just had a really bad day or a string of bad days. Sometimes we are stuck in a rut. Other times, It feels more extreme or permanent--financial loss, a horrible accident, a diagnosis, the end of a relationship we thought would last forever. Whatever it is, self care is needed. And it's needed right now.
In the moment fear and shock might leave us in a place of paralysis. It will pass. Move gently forward.
Here are some of my best triage self care strategies:
1. Breathe--start with just some slow deep breathes in and out. Then I start to make the breaths as long as I can. {Often this will help me stop crying, especially if I feel like I can't stop.}
2. Call someone you trust--It's important to do this quickly. Don't go it alone. It's often someone I haven't talked to for a while. I usually just blurt out, "I'm a mess, do you have time to listen?" {I still feel really uncomfortable doing this, but boy, does it help.}
3. Move--If at all possible, take a walk. It's even better if you can go into the woods. There is some amazing brain clearing power in doing this. If you can't walk, try to move some way--dance, clean, stretch your neck.
4. Bathe--I find climbing into a hot bubble bath to be one of the all time best things for me. It's even better if I have something to read. This also helps one get into fresh clothes and stuff that might be hard while in triage.
5. Nourish your body--I am a stress eater, so when I'm in need of triage, my default is chocolate, and lots of it. I'm surprised by how much better I feel by just putting something small and healthy into my body.
6. Be around creativity--you probably aren't in a space to make something, but crank up favorite music, read favorite poetry, watch a favorite show--just find something that has been made with love and passion and soak it in.
7, Rest--even if you can't sleep, just be still. Your batteries will begin to recharge, and you will need your strength.
8. Be gentle with yourself. If the voice in your head turns negative, ask yourself what you would say to a precious friend in this situation, and then say those things to yourself.
Please know that from that place of trauma, your are so precious and so loved. You are so much braver and stronger than you even know.
Triage is where we go when we know it's bad, but we don't know how bad.
When it comes to life and brave hearts everywhere, sometimes we just need some triage self care. It might be because we just had a really bad day or a string of bad days. Sometimes we are stuck in a rut. Other times, It feels more extreme or permanent--financial loss, a horrible accident, a diagnosis, the end of a relationship we thought would last forever. Whatever it is, self care is needed. And it's needed right now.
In the moment fear and shock might leave us in a place of paralysis. It will pass. Move gently forward.
Here are some of my best triage self care strategies:
1. Breathe--start with just some slow deep breathes in and out. Then I start to make the breaths as long as I can. {Often this will help me stop crying, especially if I feel like I can't stop.}
2. Call someone you trust--It's important to do this quickly. Don't go it alone. It's often someone I haven't talked to for a while. I usually just blurt out, "I'm a mess, do you have time to listen?" {I still feel really uncomfortable doing this, but boy, does it help.}
3. Move--If at all possible, take a walk. It's even better if you can go into the woods. There is some amazing brain clearing power in doing this. If you can't walk, try to move some way--dance, clean, stretch your neck.
4. Bathe--I find climbing into a hot bubble bath to be one of the all time best things for me. It's even better if I have something to read. This also helps one get into fresh clothes and stuff that might be hard while in triage.
5. Nourish your body--I am a stress eater, so when I'm in need of triage, my default is chocolate, and lots of it. I'm surprised by how much better I feel by just putting something small and healthy into my body.
6. Be around creativity--you probably aren't in a space to make something, but crank up favorite music, read favorite poetry, watch a favorite show--just find something that has been made with love and passion and soak it in.
7, Rest--even if you can't sleep, just be still. Your batteries will begin to recharge, and you will need your strength.
8. Be gentle with yourself. If the voice in your head turns negative, ask yourself what you would say to a precious friend in this situation, and then say those things to yourself.
Please know that from that place of trauma, your are so precious and so loved. You are so much braver and stronger than you even know.
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