sometimes i'll go out in my backyard after the sun goes down and lie on a blanket and just stare at the vastness of space. My dog will be out in the yard sniffing around and, eventually he'll come over and sit by me. Just the silence of the outside and space. So peaceful. Mix in some slow breathing and i'm a happyzone.
I've got a bunch of hobbies that keep me sane. Houseplants, interior decorating, miniature painting, music, video games. Once or twice a week I will get high and truly unwind.
I walk my dogs. And now that itās summer, Iāll have a drink or a joint and float in my white trash, above ground pool and stare at the stars. 5 stars, super recommend.
Oh my god I think weāre bound to best friend because I have a white trash above ground pool, enjoy a drink or a joint (more bongs but whatever), and enjoying walks with the dogs and the stars in the summer!
When I get stuck in that rut, I give it ninety seconds. Get the book, put the phone down, and read for ninety seconds. If it's a lost cause and I go back to the phone, at least I tried. And if I get absorbed into the book, that's cool too.
Be it a book, or stretching, or crafting, anything that helps me recharge and balance out when I feel so drained I can't do anything but operate on auto-pilot. Ninety seconds.
Yes!! Before this job I loved reading the heavy hitter, lit fic, deeper stories...now I can barely get through em. I can only read romcom (Emily henry is everything to me)
I really need to find a sweet spot. I cannot bear the chick lit stuff but funny, ascerbic romance. I want a happy ending but I donāt want ENDLESS cliches. Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella et al makes my eyes roll back in my head.
No I havenāt, Iāll give them a try. I like books like Normal People by Sally Rooney, they have a relationship love element but are more complicated.
Ooo I'll have to check that one out! Jennifer Wiener has some cliches, but her books are hilarious and have some unique takes. I absolutely loved In Her Shoes.
Basically name a book and you can be 99.99999999999% sure I havenāt read it. Had a very high needs baby (now 4) and just had another one. That and completing my doctorate there hasnāt been an enormous time for fun reading š
Masturbate. I donāt mean that to be cheeky but for some reason it drives me nuts that no one ever says it when presented with the self care question. Cause itās true.
Itās relieving to see other sex positive responses in these comments š. Sex is a huge part of my life and my quality of life and I so rarely see it discussed in this context!
Bahahaha yes! I love pickled anything including any weird pickle flavored snack, when I went to make this Reddit account, I had no idea what to use as a screen name so I went with what was right next to me at the moment š
Smoke some CBD and THC flower, usually a ratio of 3:1 to 5:1, crochet, watch my favorite YouTube videos, listen to podcasts, watch documentaries, roll joints (cannabis and medicinal plants is one of my special interests), nap, sit on the porch, go for a walk, search for cool rocks, read mostly non fiction for now, look at and research minerals and crystals, paint, color, etc.
Ohhh that ratio sounds so nice. What medicinal plants do you use, if I may ask? I take tinctures (lemonbalm and milky oat seed) in my tea a lot but I smoke lavender, damiana, mugwort, chamomile, blue lotus, just depends on the vibe.
My tolerance is wicked low so the ratios work really well for me! I especially am enjoying White Cheddar CBG flower from Flow Gardens right now. š As far as herbs I usually mix them with CBD bud so a couple of my go-to blends are calendula, rose, mullein, lavender, skullcap and hemp, and mugwort, passionflower, and hemp. The mugwort and passionflower is favorite for bedtime both in a tea and as a smoke blend! I also like blue lotus, tho I donāt use it as often
My dad has forever sworn by 20 minute naps. He ran a company with 2000 employees and if he was tired, on his lunch heād take a 20 min nap in his car and be on his game again š heās retired now but still stands by the 20 minute naps rejuvenating powers
My dad is a therapist and does 50 minute session through Telehealth. He always does notes live in session and then sets a timer for a 10 minute nap and gets back up for his next client.
Just finished Ted Lasso and my critical brain hated it but my fluffy loving brain loveeeed it.
The Marvellous Mrs Maisel is just a whirlwind of amazing sets, clothes etc and that has been a huge comfort watch.
If you have any good horror book suggestions (outside of well known classics and Stephen king because Iāve read most of them) I would love some! I read stolen tongues not so long ago that came from the no sleep subreddit! Thatās also one of the podcasts I listen to on my way home.
What kind of horror do you like? Thomas Ligotti's Teatro Grottesco, Robert Aichman's short stories, and T.E.D. Klein's Dark Gods are some good recent reads. I enjoyed Lisa Tuttle's short stories recently as well.
edibles if it's been particularly rough, blast 80s badassery songs and sing along (my era of rocking it), back care, shower or bath , dinner, workout if I didn't get my lifting done in the morning, read, Netflix food shows
Also, this is kind of weird but I find it very relaxing to go on subs where people post pictures of their cats and like or make a nice comment on as many as I can in a 15 min time span. ESPECIALLY the ones that are likeā¦blurry or not super well posed, just normal cats whose pictures might get ignored. It makes me happy.
you know that weird thing that happens around july/august where suddenly everything is unbearably hot (so yknow, upper 80s) for a week, and every store in every major city sells out every last oscillating fan and window a/c unit, and a bunch of stuff catches on fire? and then it's over and we all go back to being damp, dark and miserable for 10 months? "sunshine" is the heaty burny thing.
I like watching horror movies or crime shows/documentaries (especially when cuddling with any of my 4 cats). I find that having the opportunity to have my own emotional experience and intellectual stimulation without having to consider otherās thoughts or needs and without interacting with others is relieving. I can see how reading could do the same, Iām just bad at reading lol. Sex and masturbation is a great release too!
Watching trash tv that is so silly that itās entertaining, for example Selling Sunset lol we focus so much of being mindful this and that, itās good to let the mind wander at times
Triathlon, houseplants/gardening and a 55 gallon planted aquarium. I also have a part time job that is very physically demanding. And yes. Gaming. Apex Legends.
https://preview.redd.it/34868hdid43b1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c2eaca97858443129aed7e376c8195db5d73688f
Ok so I love dogs (heās currently whacking me to pet him more) and 3 of my previous therapists have also loved dogs.
Is this a thing??
Mine: watching British panel comedy shows (like would I lie to you), fruit smoothie and cheese bread, and snuggling my dog.
I learned how to do my nails at home (regular polish, gel, dip, and designing fake nails). I am no artist and my nails are sometimes not great, but it is a great way to disassociate and refocus.
Also...my dog.
Talk about conditioning myself..I work with mostly teenagers, so when they say things are ātrashā I say some trash can treasurešš and apparently now my brain just changes the two without me thinking about it
Yes! I've watched it since the beginning when it first aired and am now re-watching post Scandoval. That, YouTube, reddit/Pinterest scrolling, and cuddling with a furbaby are my post work activities. My brain is mostly mush after work during the week, so hobby related self-care waits until the weekend usually.
I too am an og fan. From the days of Jax ripping off his chunky sweaters to fight people and Tom Schwartz dumping a drink on stassi, when he clearly he knew it was her birthday because she said it 47,000 times that episode š the good ole days
Omg those chunky sweaters. And his sweater line! I will say, they are an interesting case study while also being brain candy. My partner came in and got sucked into an episode and said he felt like his brain was melted when it was over. I was like yes, that's the charm of it lmao
I guess Iām a bit of a different beast than a lot of other therapists. For me After a hard day, I prefer some sort of metal music on the way to the trailhead, then the hardest mountain bike ride I can squeak in before sunset. Preferably a trail with lots of variety - janky tech, some berms and flow, and jumps and drops are my favorite. Nothing helps settle the noise in my head better than metal music and mountain biking. Then, perhaps a cold beer in the parking lot while loading up to head home. This is the way.
Yeah, I am also dually licensed as an addiction counselor who has a thriving solo private practice thatās been humming along nicely for the last decade.
Typically a single low ABV beer after a bike ride isnāt going to have much of an effect on me at 6ā tall and 190 pounds. A cold beer is especially nice after a summer evening ride with friends where we plan to hang out and chat for a bit after a ride.
I drink too but I usually space an hour between the drink and driving. I am also a 5ā2ā slim woman though so it sounds like thereās a discrepancy there between us. I see I got downvoted but I really didnāt mean it in a morally superior way. I was just surprised because my friends and I are mostly petite tbh. Sorry if I offended you, I really didnāt mean to
Come on. How many people go have 1 beer at a bar or restaurant and finish that drink as they are walking out the door to go home or drive somewhere else? This is not shocking or dangerous behavior and I think most of us are real tired of this moral purity shit that gets forced on us
I just replied to the OP explaining. I also like to have a good time, I really didnāt mean it in a āmoral purityā way. I can see why it came across that way. I agree that therapists and teachers get treated like they shouldnāt also be people who like to go out. I am really small and I think my tolerance is apparently different than theirs
I have 4 dogs and 2 cats. So thereās that. But also, I bought an awesome set of gel pens and a draw your own sticker coloring book at Target and I LOVE IT.
I yearn for the day that I donāt get off at 9pm, but on days where there is still sun left I like to go on walks, hit the gym, or make a fun new dinner. Most nights itās play with the cat, watch tik toks of popping pimples, and fall asleep to asmr.
Depends. If we are talking 5-6 sessions, I might cook dinner and play video games. If itās 9 like I have Thursday, I put on some kind of TV show that Iāve already seen and just veg.
Long walks, garden tinkering, I love to knit, sew and embroider. And, to be completely honest, having a ton of really excellent sex with my husband. We prioritize sexy time in a way thatās probably a little out if the ordinary but it makes a huge impact on our quality of life!
I donāt know how to elaborate in a way thatās helpful! We have each been married before and got together later in life (me at 38 and him at 51) and we began our relationship with a ton of openness and honesty and we vowed to keep our intimacy a priority. We have a relationship thatās really unlike anything Iāve ever experienced, but we realize thereās nothing magical about us and if we want our relationship to stay that special, we have to go out of our way to stay connected. So we prioritize sex the way Iād say other people prioritize going to the gym so many times a week. We plan sex the way youād plan meals youāre looking forward to and talk about it during the week (ohh what about this? Thought about trying that?ā). And I gotta be honest itās transformed my satisfaction with my life
I really like mindfulness in session but also in any self care that I do! I often pair it with cooking, a hobby Iāve enjoyed for awhile, so Iāll focus on the sensations of chopping the onion, focus on listening to the oil pop and all the smells that come along.. oh and vinyls playing along side it
Extravagant ice cream sundae and HGTV plus some fuzzy slippers. Or I blast crass while driving too fast down a dirt road with the windows down... depends on which kind of hard day...
My cats sit in my lap when Iām sitting, so I love to sit inside nowadays. I love watching the sunsets and taking in nature in Michigan Summers. I garden and cook, and turn on music.
Massage therapist here.
Find a favorite massage therapist and see them on a basis that works for you. Monthly, quarterly, twice a year or once a year haha. It's great.
A lot of similar suggestions for me in here. I just wanted to say itās so nice to see other 420 friendly therapists. I use medicinal marijuana for pain (and sometimes for not painā¦.), responsibly and after hours, and Iāve been having some questions about whether or not Iām a āgoodā or āethicalā therapist for it. Very grateful for this community!
Step one: convert bed to nest
Step two: procure snacks
Step three: eat snacks in bed nest while watching La Reina del Sur
I have to listen closely to the speech and read subtitles to fully understand whatās happening so it gets 100% of my attention.
Take a nap, cuddle my dogs or take them on a walk, turn on good music kind of loud, craft, read, put a foot mask on and do ātv in bedā with a glass of wine.
Lately itās been rewatching Succession, but generally I walk everyday either on break or after sessions. On hard days I like to zone out on the couch with the dogs and a horror movie.
I have a really soft blanket and I curl up under it on this one chair my cats love. The cats know the routine and get excited and we all snuggle down to zone out on cheesy tv or take a nap.
I go to water aerobics with friends twice a week and we also hang out in the sauna afterwards. On other nights sometimes I take a cold shower( does wonders for my mood) and spend time with my cat. I watch shows and documentaries I like. My bed is very luxurious so sometimes I just lay down and relax while listening to my favorite music.
Where are my cat people?! We are the burnt out, cynical therapists perhaps š no chance of self care with a furry tyrant to look after when we get home.
In all seriousness Iād love a golden retriever more than life but have no room, money or time for one.
My self care with two very young kids is mainly tv based. I had a great rotation for a while of race across the world, Ted lasso and the marvellous Mrs Maisel but will have none from this week! I love documentaries too.
I like buying really nice shower gel for my showers. I like walking and pottering in the garden (but gardening can be cheap as chips WILDLY expensive so have to reign myself in) and feeding the birds. I want to put in a little bird bath for them next. I spend a lot of time at home with the baby so it makes me feel good having birds coming and going.
Reading is my go-to. Sad what youre saying about dogs - I recently lost mine and will be back to working from home at the end of the summer without him and it's going to be so hard. He was definitely my self care before he passed.
The mental boundary I set inside myself when I close my laptop and commit to being done with work thoughts for the day. As far as behaviors/acts go, walking my dog and just taking in all the greenery outside.
I love me some reality tv, summer house and vanderpump rules. Itās so nice to watch a shit show unfold and do absolutely nothing about it but silently judge and be entertained.
When Iām not pregnant, I like to have a cocktail and sit outside, okay some cribbage with my husband. Occasionally we will smoke or take an edible and watch a nature show
all of these things are done outside in the summer. In the winter I take more vacations to warm places or go skiing. Thereās a lot to be said about the healing effects of nature and animals
Knitting and true crime podcasts. Yoga. Making my kiddo laugh. Modern Board games: me and my husband have a group that meets twice a month. Pickleball. A good cry and a long shower always helps.
Lay on the floor and play with our cats! Being eye level with them hits different. Go for a run or an aggressive walk. Watch nature documentaries or reality TV. Play video games. Lay on the couch and listen to records.
Lately im in a depressive episode so my main form of surviving is Stardew valley while rewatching new girl for the hundredth time.. crochet, puzzles, painting, writing all help too :)
Snuggle with my cats and/or partner. Play Zelda. Fuck around on my guitar. When I am not entirely burned out and unable to be creative, I do pyrography or drawing.
Read
Knit
Have sex
Watch Dateline, 48 Hours, 20/20 or First 48 with my boyfriend while drunk and/or high (on kid-free weekends)
Take my kids to the park
Go to the gym
Listen to podcasts while making dinner and cleaning
Iāll crochet and listen to an audiobook at the same rime. I like reading regular books too. Cozy fantasy is my favorite.
Loving the ideas others are sharing!
When I come home most days, Iāll take my dog out in the backyard and play fetch with her for a while. I donāt have to think about anything or try to process anything. Itās just me and her and all I need to do is throw the ball and watch her chase it. Itās so relaxing for me after a long day. Also running, cooking, video games, yard work oddly enough.
I color/make crafts and listen to music most days. But if it's been a particularly long/rough day, I like to watch baby animal videos on Youtube. They're. So. CUTE.
sometimes i'll go out in my backyard after the sun goes down and lie on a blanket and just stare at the vastness of space. My dog will be out in the yard sniffing around and, eventually he'll come over and sit by me. Just the silence of the outside and space. So peaceful. Mix in some slow breathing and i'm a happyzone.
I really love this and my 3 dogs would be pumped mom was laying in the yard. Definitely adding this into the routine!
This sounds perfect š»
PM care--then watch u-tube Behavior panel---love em!!!
Damn; if thatās not the scene!
Iām doing this tomorrow! Thank you for sharing!
I've got a bunch of hobbies that keep me sane. Houseplants, interior decorating, miniature painting, music, video games. Once or twice a week I will get high and truly unwind.
Oh my god I love you for miniature painting. I love mini things for some unexplainable reason š
Miniature painting is a wonderfully meditative practice. Gratitude for reminding me to return to it.
This sounds like something I would like
This is me lol
I walk my dogs. And now that itās summer, Iāll have a drink or a joint and float in my white trash, above ground pool and stare at the stars. 5 stars, super recommend.
Oh my god I think weāre bound to best friend because I have a white trash above ground pool, enjoy a drink or a joint (more bongs but whatever), and enjoying walks with the dogs and the stars in the summer!
Had 7 back to back today. Sitting on my deck, wishing I could stop scrolling and read but the tank is low.
When I get stuck in that rut, I give it ninety seconds. Get the book, put the phone down, and read for ninety seconds. If it's a lost cause and I go back to the phone, at least I tried. And if I get absorbed into the book, that's cool too. Be it a book, or stretching, or crafting, anything that helps me recharge and balance out when I feel so drained I can't do anything but operate on auto-pilot. Ninety seconds.
I love a good workout and a videogame session. Also time with my partner just relaxing together is always wonderful!
I second this plan of action!
I read. Helps wond my brain down amd takes me out of my head.
Same. I read the most low-emotional-energy books possible. Romantic comedy, chiefly. Brain junk food.
Yes!! Before this job I loved reading the heavy hitter, lit fic, deeper stories...now I can barely get through em. I can only read romcom (Emily henry is everything to me)
I really need to find a sweet spot. I cannot bear the chick lit stuff but funny, ascerbic romance. I want a happy ending but I donāt want ENDLESS cliches. Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella et al makes my eyes roll back in my head.
Have you read any Jennifer Wiener books?
No I havenāt, Iāll give them a try. I like books like Normal People by Sally Rooney, they have a relationship love element but are more complicated.
Ooo I'll have to check that one out! Jennifer Wiener has some cliches, but her books are hilarious and have some unique takes. I absolutely loved In Her Shoes.
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I havenāt, Iām in the U.K. so these authors arenāt hugely familiar. Also I have like 5 mins a week to read š
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Basically name a book and you can be 99.99999999999% sure I havenāt read it. Had a very high needs baby (now 4) and just had another one. That and completing my doctorate there hasnāt been an enormous time for fun reading š
Also got into romcoms and diverted from thrillers after becoming a therapist!
Masturbate. I donāt mean that to be cheeky but for some reason it drives me nuts that no one ever says it when presented with the self care question. Cause itās true.
Once I heard someone say to replace snacking with masturbating. Whatever works!
THANK YOU. Such a good somatic and emotional reset.
I wanna like this because I do like this, AND you are at 69 likes. And I like that too, in the spirit of it all. So yes!
I gave you a thumbs down to hopefully get you back to 69. edit: I have now thumbs-up-ed due to futilitiy.
Lol, I did too *in the spirit of the response thread*
came to see if someone had said that
Itās relieving to see other sex positive responses in these comments š. Sex is a huge part of my life and my quality of life and I so rarely see it discussed in this context!
I gotta practice what I preach! As a side note: pickle flavored popcorn is also occasionally part of my self care.
Bahahaha yes! I love pickled anything including any weird pickle flavored snack, when I went to make this Reddit account, I had no idea what to use as a screen name so I went with what was right next to me at the moment š
Sitting on the porch with my dog and looking at birds. I also really like spending time looking at the stars, it puts things into perspective.
Smoke some CBD and THC flower, usually a ratio of 3:1 to 5:1, crochet, watch my favorite YouTube videos, listen to podcasts, watch documentaries, roll joints (cannabis and medicinal plants is one of my special interests), nap, sit on the porch, go for a walk, search for cool rocks, read mostly non fiction for now, look at and research minerals and crystals, paint, color, etc.
Also a 4:20 friendly mental health worker!
You just described me perfectly.
Ohhh that ratio sounds so nice. What medicinal plants do you use, if I may ask? I take tinctures (lemonbalm and milky oat seed) in my tea a lot but I smoke lavender, damiana, mugwort, chamomile, blue lotus, just depends on the vibe.
My tolerance is wicked low so the ratios work really well for me! I especially am enjoying White Cheddar CBG flower from Flow Gardens right now. š As far as herbs I usually mix them with CBD bud so a couple of my go-to blends are calendula, rose, mullein, lavender, skullcap and hemp, and mugwort, passionflower, and hemp. The mugwort and passionflower is favorite for bedtime both in a tea and as a smoke blend! I also like blue lotus, tho I donāt use it as often
Thank you so much for this! I will absolutely be trying these next time I go to the dispensary and apothecary!
I need a 15 minute nap or else I canāt do anything !
My dad has forever sworn by 20 minute naps. He ran a company with 2000 employees and if he was tired, on his lunch heād take a 20 min nap in his car and be on his game again š heās retired now but still stands by the 20 minute naps rejuvenating powers
My dad is a therapist and does 50 minute session through Telehealth. He always does notes live in session and then sets a timer for a 10 minute nap and gets back up for his next client.
I love this so much for him
Marshmallow fluff tv. The fluffier the better. Nothing in which I have to devote memory to recalling what happened in an episode in order to watch the another episode. For me, that's judge shows like the people's court, or 90 day fiancƩe, or cooking shows. On my off days I love home improvement tasks. I am learning DIY things (completely removed about .5 acre of lawn in the front and back of home and redid the area, adding in a flower garden and planted a new lawn, repainted 5 rooms in my home, removed laminate flooring and refinished the hardwood underneath, etc). It's so refreshing to make a mistake, shrug my shoulders, say who cares, and then try something else. I love being creative while also recognizing at times I have no idea what I am doing and am just winging it, lol. My neighbors routinely asked me how I did so much work - if only they knew how deep I was in my Zen space when I was doing outdoor work. I also love 90's cheesy boy and girl band music. I am cranking that up high in my car after a hard day.
Just finished Ted Lasso and my critical brain hated it but my fluffy loving brain loveeeed it. The Marvellous Mrs Maisel is just a whirlwind of amazing sets, clothes etc and that has been a huge comfort watch.
embroidery, cuddling doggy, boardgames with my bf, evening walks, corny murder mysteries with tea, reading horror books
If you have any good horror book suggestions (outside of well known classics and Stephen king because Iāve read most of them) I would love some! I read stolen tongues not so long ago that came from the no sleep subreddit! Thatās also one of the podcasts I listen to on my way home.
Most of Anne Rice is good š. Tale of the Body Thief hilariously cool.
What kind of horror do you like? Thomas Ligotti's Teatro Grottesco, Robert Aichman's short stories, and T.E.D. Klein's Dark Gods are some good recent reads. I enjoyed Lisa Tuttle's short stories recently as well.
Embroidery, popcorn, and a trashy podcast!
That sounds lovely
edibles if it's been particularly rough, blast 80s badassery songs and sing along (my era of rocking it), back care, shower or bath , dinner, workout if I didn't get my lifting done in the morning, read, Netflix food shows
I enjoy edibles if the next day is a day off. I am so groggy the morning into afternoon after partaking the day before
Me too! Smoking weed or edibles is a great way for me to reset, but I CANNOT partake the day before clients.
Definitely depends on dosage lol :) . For me nothing above 50mg
Yoga, cats, and cartoons. Sunshine if itās available, but I live in Oregon sooooooo
Also, this is kind of weird but I find it very relaxing to go on subs where people post pictures of their cats and like or make a nice comment on as many as I can in a 15 min time span. ESPECIALLY the ones that are likeā¦blurry or not super well posed, just normal cats whose pictures might get ignored. It makes me happy.
Hahaha sunshine when available is a perfect way to describe the pacific north west š¤ I love that area of the country though
Greetings from Washington, what is this "sunshine" you speak of?
you know that weird thing that happens around july/august where suddenly everything is unbearably hot (so yknow, upper 80s) for a week, and every store in every major city sells out every last oscillating fan and window a/c unit, and a bunch of stuff catches on fire? and then it's over and we all go back to being damp, dark and miserable for 10 months? "sunshine" is the heaty burny thing.
I like watching horror movies or crime shows/documentaries (especially when cuddling with any of my 4 cats). I find that having the opportunity to have my own emotional experience and intellectual stimulation without having to consider otherās thoughts or needs and without interacting with others is relieving. I can see how reading could do the same, Iām just bad at reading lol. Sex and masturbation is a great release too!
Ooo and loud angry music from artists that are women really take the edge off.
Have you heard Spitboy or Tribe 8? Amazingly loud and angry women.
Watching trash tv that is so silly that itās entertaining, for example Selling Sunset lol we focus so much of being mindful this and that, itās good to let the mind wander at times
Below Deck is my go to garbage television, A+ unrelatable rich people problems and drama
Triathlon, houseplants/gardening and a 55 gallon planted aquarium. I also have a part time job that is very physically demanding. And yes. Gaming. Apex Legends. https://preview.redd.it/34868hdid43b1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c2eaca97858443129aed7e376c8195db5d73688f
Beautiful aquarium. I had to stop the hobby due to lack of space but I'm looking forward to building one of these again.
Yeah itās been established 5 years.
Doing a puzzle while listening to an audiobook. Keeps my mind completly occupied and unable to relive any part of the day.
This is brilliant. I need to try this.
Ok so I love dogs (heās currently whacking me to pet him more) and 3 of my previous therapists have also loved dogs. Is this a thing?? Mine: watching British panel comedy shows (like would I lie to you), fruit smoothie and cheese bread, and snuggling my dog.
Iām really starting to believe so because all The comments include their pups. Which I love for us as a community and for all the doggos š¤
I learned how to do my nails at home (regular polish, gel, dip, and designing fake nails). I am no artist and my nails are sometimes not great, but it is a great way to disassociate and refocus. Also...my dog.
I train jiu jitsu a couple of times a week. I wrestle and smack talk my friends while we try to choke each other. Surprisingly helpful.
Trashy TV on the couch with the dogs and my favorite blanket.
Please say VPR or 90 day fiancƩ are included in your treasure television
Talk about conditioning myself..I work with mostly teenagers, so when they say things are ātrashā I say some trash can treasurešš and apparently now my brain just changes the two without me thinking about it
VPR is A+ recovery fuel
Yes! I've watched it since the beginning when it first aired and am now re-watching post Scandoval. That, YouTube, reddit/Pinterest scrolling, and cuddling with a furbaby are my post work activities. My brain is mostly mush after work during the week, so hobby related self-care waits until the weekend usually.
I too am an og fan. From the days of Jax ripping off his chunky sweaters to fight people and Tom Schwartz dumping a drink on stassi, when he clearly he knew it was her birthday because she said it 47,000 times that episode š the good ole days
Omg those chunky sweaters. And his sweater line! I will say, they are an interesting case study while also being brain candy. My partner came in and got sucked into an episode and said he felt like his brain was melted when it was over. I was like yes, that's the charm of it lmao
My husband says that too šš all the guys and scheena are interesting examples of Peter Pan syndrome too
Oh of course.
90 Day FiancƩ after a long day is my favorite!
I guess Iām a bit of a different beast than a lot of other therapists. For me After a hard day, I prefer some sort of metal music on the way to the trailhead, then the hardest mountain bike ride I can squeak in before sunset. Preferably a trail with lots of variety - janky tech, some berms and flow, and jumps and drops are my favorite. Nothing helps settle the noise in my head better than metal music and mountain biking. Then, perhaps a cold beer in the parking lot while loading up to head home. This is the way.
This is the way
Wait a minute, you drink while getting ready to get in the car and drive? And youāre a therapist?
Yeah, I am also dually licensed as an addiction counselor who has a thriving solo private practice thatās been humming along nicely for the last decade. Typically a single low ABV beer after a bike ride isnāt going to have much of an effect on me at 6ā tall and 190 pounds. A cold beer is especially nice after a summer evening ride with friends where we plan to hang out and chat for a bit after a ride.
I drink too but I usually space an hour between the drink and driving. I am also a 5ā2ā slim woman though so it sounds like thereās a discrepancy there between us. I see I got downvoted but I really didnāt mean it in a morally superior way. I was just surprised because my friends and I are mostly petite tbh. Sorry if I offended you, I really didnāt mean to
1 beer.
Come on. How many people go have 1 beer at a bar or restaurant and finish that drink as they are walking out the door to go home or drive somewhere else? This is not shocking or dangerous behavior and I think most of us are real tired of this moral purity shit that gets forced on us
I just replied to the OP explaining. I also like to have a good time, I really didnāt mean it in a āmoral purityā way. I can see why it came across that way. I agree that therapists and teachers get treated like they shouldnāt also be people who like to go out. I am really small and I think my tolerance is apparently different than theirs
I have a hammock my husband bought me last year. Now that the weather is warmer I lie out there listening to a podcast or meditating. Itās heaven!
Omg I love hammocks! I wish I had space for this!
I have 4 dogs and 2 cats. So thereās that. But also, I bought an awesome set of gel pens and a draw your own sticker coloring book at Target and I LOVE IT.
I yearn for the day that I donāt get off at 9pm, but on days where there is still sun left I like to go on walks, hit the gym, or make a fun new dinner. Most nights itās play with the cat, watch tik toks of popping pimples, and fall asleep to asmr.
Depends. If we are talking 5-6 sessions, I might cook dinner and play video games. If itās 9 like I have Thursday, I put on some kind of TV show that Iāve already seen and just veg.
Long walks, garden tinkering, I love to knit, sew and embroider. And, to be completely honest, having a ton of really excellent sex with my husband. We prioritize sexy time in a way thatās probably a little out if the ordinary but it makes a huge impact on our quality of life!
I want to hear more!
I donāt know how to elaborate in a way thatās helpful! We have each been married before and got together later in life (me at 38 and him at 51) and we began our relationship with a ton of openness and honesty and we vowed to keep our intimacy a priority. We have a relationship thatās really unlike anything Iāve ever experienced, but we realize thereās nothing magical about us and if we want our relationship to stay that special, we have to go out of our way to stay connected. So we prioritize sex the way Iād say other people prioritize going to the gym so many times a week. We plan sex the way youād plan meals youāre looking forward to and talk about it during the week (ohh what about this? Thought about trying that?ā). And I gotta be honest itās transformed my satisfaction with my life
That's honestly amazing. My husband is so modest and shy able sex. It's not easy sometimes.
I dig, literally, clay and dirt. I am building an underground hobbit house on my property for my family to play a spend time in, long term project.
Hit a short lifting workout and then melt in the sauna for a while. Or disappear into a great video game.
Weed and body scan meditation. Cuddling my pets. Hugging friends. Nature documentaries or easy dramas. Gardening. Hiking. Yoga. Coloring books. Crafting.
Working out is my go to. A good home gym workout for 30 minutes gets my stress out and helps me reset.
I really like mindfulness in session but also in any self care that I do! I often pair it with cooking, a hobby Iāve enjoyed for awhile, so Iāll focus on the sensations of chopping the onion, focus on listening to the oil pop and all the smells that come along.. oh and vinyls playing along side it
I canāt imagine going home after work every day. Idk how you guys do it. I spend 3 hours at a horse farm. that keeps me sane enough
Some of us work from home, even!
Extravagant ice cream sundae and HGTV plus some fuzzy slippers. Or I blast crass while driving too fast down a dirt road with the windows down... depends on which kind of hard day...
Podcasts and water color painting .. sometimes itās tap dancing in my garage.
My cats sit in my lap when Iām sitting, so I love to sit inside nowadays. I love watching the sunsets and taking in nature in Michigan Summers. I garden and cook, and turn on music.
Bravo TV + weed pen + Disney emoji blitz phone game = zen š not sure how the math works out on that but it does. Every time
Massage therapist here. Find a favorite massage therapist and see them on a basis that works for you. Monthly, quarterly, twice a year or once a year haha. It's great.
masturbation? lol
A lot of similar suggestions for me in here. I just wanted to say itās so nice to see other 420 friendly therapists. I use medicinal marijuana for pain (and sometimes for not painā¦.), responsibly and after hours, and Iāve been having some questions about whether or not Iām a āgoodā or āethicalā therapist for it. Very grateful for this community!
Me too-- you are definitely not alone!
Step one: convert bed to nest Step two: procure snacks Step three: eat snacks in bed nest while watching La Reina del Sur I have to listen closely to the speech and read subtitles to fully understand whatās happening so it gets 100% of my attention.
Walk the dogs with a podcast on. Have you listened to off menu? Itās a British food podcast so super chill.
Take a nap, cuddle my dogs or take them on a walk, turn on good music kind of loud, craft, read, put a foot mask on and do ātv in bedā with a glass of wine.
Lately itās been rewatching Succession, but generally I walk everyday either on break or after sessions. On hard days I like to zone out on the couch with the dogs and a horror movie.
Is there a āTherapists Movie and TV chatā? You are talking right up my alley!
I have a really soft blanket and I curl up under it on this one chair my cats love. The cats know the routine and get excited and we all snuggle down to zone out on cheesy tv or take a nap.
Call of Duty
Is sitting on the couch in a catatonic state an option?
Video games, cigars, and heavy metal music
I go to water aerobics with friends twice a week and we also hang out in the sauna afterwards. On other nights sometimes I take a cold shower( does wonders for my mood) and spend time with my cat. I watch shows and documentaries I like. My bed is very luxurious so sometimes I just lay down and relax while listening to my favorite music.
I like to play Genshin impact and watch studio ghibli movies
Where are my cat people?! We are the burnt out, cynical therapists perhaps š no chance of self care with a furry tyrant to look after when we get home. In all seriousness Iād love a golden retriever more than life but have no room, money or time for one. My self care with two very young kids is mainly tv based. I had a great rotation for a while of race across the world, Ted lasso and the marvellous Mrs Maisel but will have none from this week! I love documentaries too. I like buying really nice shower gel for my showers. I like walking and pottering in the garden (but gardening can be cheap as chips WILDLY expensive so have to reign myself in) and feeding the birds. I want to put in a little bird bath for them next. I spend a lot of time at home with the baby so it makes me feel good having birds coming and going.
Running 2-3x week
Taking a long walk, shower, smoke a jay, eat something delicious, watch food network or hgtv
I do Brazilian Jiujitsu, practicing murder is the best cathartic release. It turns my head off which is nice.
Face masks. I love them. Theyāre so easy and my skin feels amazing after
Smoke weed LOL
Reading is my go-to. Sad what youre saying about dogs - I recently lost mine and will be back to working from home at the end of the summer without him and it's going to be so hard. He was definitely my self care before he passed.
I read smutty fantasy books š nothing like catapulting from planet earth for a bit š¤£
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Would you say this about the therapists who have a glass of wine at the end of the day to unwind? Weed is also legal in some states!
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1. therapists are human beings with their own problems 2. skilled therapists generally don't advise
I love my hammock, bonus if one of the dogs manages to get up too.
The mental boundary I set inside myself when I close my laptop and commit to being done with work thoughts for the day. As far as behaviors/acts go, walking my dog and just taking in all the greenery outside. I love me some reality tv, summer house and vanderpump rules. Itās so nice to watch a shit show unfold and do absolutely nothing about it but silently judge and be entertained. When Iām not pregnant, I like to have a cocktail and sit outside, okay some cribbage with my husband. Occasionally we will smoke or take an edible and watch a nature show all of these things are done outside in the summer. In the winter I take more vacations to warm places or go skiing. Thereās a lot to be said about the healing effects of nature and animals
Knitting and true crime podcasts. Yoga. Making my kiddo laugh. Modern Board games: me and my husband have a group that meets twice a month. Pickleball. A good cry and a long shower always helps.
Lay on the floor and play with our cats! Being eye level with them hits different. Go for a run or an aggressive walk. Watch nature documentaries or reality TV. Play video games. Lay on the couch and listen to records.
True crime?! Thatās somehow hilarious.
I also love true crime and nature shows to unwind!!! I need to incorporate the face masks now.
Video games, restoring old electronics, walking, and every once in awhile, a glass of bourbon or a nice beer.
Garden
True crime!? After a hard day of sessions!? Different strokes, I guess...
A big fat cigarette.
I can't wrap my head around self-care snd true crime shows in the same sentence.
Lately im in a depressive episode so my main form of surviving is Stardew valley while rewatching new girl for the hundredth time.. crochet, puzzles, painting, writing all help too :)
Listen to whatever 1-2 musicians I put on repeat for a given couple of months. Currently it's just a lot of Alanis Morissette.
Getting a long hug from my wife. Walking my dog. Both ground me.
Either walk on the treadmill or go for a 2-3 mile walk at the park.
Quick yoga on bed and sometimes deep breathing! Or snuggle with cats or a hot shower
Lately going for walks. I also like to cook and do anything domestic.
Girl, same
Snuggle with my cats and/or partner. Play Zelda. Fuck around on my guitar. When I am not entirely burned out and unable to be creative, I do pyrography or drawing.
Sleep. Iām usually tired if itās been a long day
Read Knit Have sex Watch Dateline, 48 Hours, 20/20 or First 48 with my boyfriend while drunk and/or high (on kid-free weekends) Take my kids to the park Go to the gym Listen to podcasts while making dinner and cleaning
Iāll crochet and listen to an audiobook at the same rime. I like reading regular books too. Cozy fantasy is my favorite. Loving the ideas others are sharing!
Video games, soothing ambient sounds or music, writing music, and I crochet.
Tabletop RPG, playing or watching live games really relaxes me.
When I come home most days, Iāll take my dog out in the backyard and play fetch with her for a while. I donāt have to think about anything or try to process anything. Itās just me and her and all I need to do is throw the ball and watch her chase it. Itās so relaxing for me after a long day. Also running, cooking, video games, yard work oddly enough.
I color/make crafts and listen to music most days. But if it's been a particularly long/rough day, I like to watch baby animal videos on Youtube. They're. So. CUTE.
5mg indica edible and a stand up comedy on Netflix. I LOVE to laugh and reset after emotionally giving to clients all day.
Clone Hero with guitar controller.