Fun is Emotional Self Care
Sheri here,
What is emotional self care? Why is fun important?
Nurturing our Emotions
Nurturing our emotions requires becoming aware of them, then leaning into the feelings in a way that honors you and the emotion. If you deny or ignore them, they will find a way to come out: anger, depression, stress, anxiety, or worse.*
I have found I need to feel the feelings and sometimes that is one of the “ugh, oh no – not that” moments. Set with the feelings, breath, and allow them to exist. Creativity and play somewhat offset any negativity – fun times are always helpful to make those strong feeling times easier.
I’ve spent several challenging years surrounded by negativity and sheltering in place as many of you have. Small wonder we struggle with emotional self care. Those of you who have been following me for any period of time know that I’ve had floods in the house, construction and illness in the family, that have challenged my sense of wellbeing.
Between feeling the feelings, a daily gratitude list – at least three things I’m grateful for, fun activities, and time dedicated to my spiritual program, I’ve regained my equilibrium.
While nurturing our whole self is important, one of the things I forget is to play, have fun, or take it easy. But I struggle trying to figure out what fun looks like sometimes.
Adult Fun for Emotional Self Care
I don’t know about you, but every now and again I need to be reminded to have fun and what it looks like. Sometimes I have to make a list of what’s fun – joyful. To be able to feel happiness, lightness, positivity, and laughter bubble up is like watching my four grandchildren play with the abandon of a child.
Then how does that translate into adult fun? So here is the list I was recently brainstorming – which are your favorites or what is forgotten?? Hit reply and let me know. While you are at it, tell me what’s on your fun list for the day?
- Be creative
- Write a story or a poem
- Play cards or board games
- Read a book
- Take a walk in nature or local park
- Write a gratitude list
- Do some coloring
- Draw or sketch
- Take photographs
- Spend time on Pinterest
- Listen to music
- Dance with abandon
- Watch a funny movie
- Engage in sports
- Try some thing new like a recipe or a masterclass
- Exercise, if its fun
- Spend time with a hobby
- Take up a new hobby
- Knit or crochet or sew
- Talk with a fun friend – a fun buddy
- Read some jokes and laugh out load
While you are focusing on fun, minimize the negativity by setting boundaries. limiting the news, or deliberately choosing how to respond to situations.
Choose a focus on playful things and mentally avoid the situations that deliberately cause you pain. Feel the feelings, but don’t go looking for them.
Nurture yourself and bring along a fun friend!
Honor those positive feelings, minimizing exposure, as much as possible to negativity. This is self care at its finest – what’s on your list for fun today?
Around Town Here
I’ve opened a wait list for progress notifications on my book, Everything I Learned About Life I Learned on Vacation, is currently still in reviewer comment mode on its publication path. You can sign-up for the wait list here.
May you have a blessed, fun-filled week.
‘til the next time.
Ciao,
Sheri
*If you are suffering depression, anger or anxiety issues seek the appropriate help from a medical or mental health professional.
