How do you take care of yourself?

[Amethyst]

That's not quite correct.

If I were to choose a clearer title, I would say "How do you spoil yourself?" However, I really don't like the implications of that phrasing.

I think doing nice things for oneself is something close to a necessity for one's mental health.

So I want to know, what nice things do you do for yourself? Whether it's to calm down, spark up, or just make a bad day a little softer... anything that's for no other reason than to make yourself smile, goes.

Some personal examples:

• I reward myself with food a lot, usually just small extra things that I wouldn't let myself buy otherwise
• Or some kind of warm drink like tea or cocoa when it's cold outside
• Sometimes I spray perfume on my pillows before I fall asleep just so it smells nice as i'm doing so
• I also sometimes let myself stay in bed way too late just cuz my blankets are criminally soft and a tragedy to leave
• I leave positive messages for my morning self every night before I sleep, to help motivate future me to get the heck up already lol
• Painting my nails is really grounding for me
• Something I discovered by accident last week, leaving my flat iron on on top of my gloves makes them VERY warm and amazing to put on before going out in the night, like that fresh-out-of-the-drier feeling.

My hope is that maybe by sharing ideas, it might inspire everyone to practice kindness towards themselves a little more.

So, how about you?

[Felicity]

Mornings are terrible things that no decent person would be caught participating in. When I get the chance, I become a decent person and wake at noon.

also lots and lots of bacon.

Oh, I also do a myriad of drugs, though one of my suppliers just stopped talking to me completely. Whaddya gonna do?

[Guzam]

I let myself sleep.

[Alistair]

There's no such thing as staying in bed too late, as long as you're enjoying it.

During winter, drinking warm chocolate while watching snow or rain fall outside is one of the best things ever.

If I feel sad for whatever reason or no particular reason at all, I try and hug the closest family member around. If not possible, I make myself comfy in my couch or bed and watch a jacksepticeye video or something like that on youtube.

When it's the end of the week, I reward myself with some tasty junk food with my best friends. Let the grease flow within my body!

But when I'm really feeling down, or angry at someone, I need to stay alone, process things, then clear my head with a game, movie, music or whatever I love. I found loneliness to be very soothing sometimes.

[DemICE]

Uh? Whenever anything does not feel right in my mentality I just play games. Usually helps.

Also I don't wanna touch the mornings matter. It's a nasty business.

[Tartar]

- Sometimes I bake cake, cookies, sweets and whatnot... And then I eat the whole batch myself *evil laugh*

- I have a few songs that I listen to only when i complete an exam or something equally daunting.

- In general I like to watch Anime or play Video-Games after a days' studying.

- I often cook as a way to relax, and eat delicious munchies.

- If I want to spoil myself on the weekends I wake up deliberately early, to have more time for myself... What, am I the only one to do this?

- Taking a hot bath is always nice, especially when it's cold outside.

[team rocket pr guy]

i like to eat nice candy and play games that dont drive me into frustration =w=

[FairFamily]

I have a terrible sweettooth, so when I want to treat myself I buy something sweeth. candy, soda, pudding,... doesn't matter as long as it is sweet.

I also love taking a hot bath.

Setting youtube/twitch for background music is also nice.

Sometimes a game will help me relax or just lying aroud and using your imagination.

Oh, can't forget comedy.

Edited November 8, 2016 by FairFamily

[Ironbound]

If you mean what I'd do to calm myself during a grim stretch, I generally:

1. Draw/sketch

2. Paint seriously on canvas if I have the time and energy

3. Tend to my plants and/or buy more if I can make the trip to my supplier's nursery

4. Go for a long walk with my dog or play catch with him

5. Swim, weather and time permitting

6. Sit outside and gaze at the sky, watching and listening to the birds; My dog is usually with me at such times as well

7. Exult in a storm if it's raining and if I can afford to get drenched

8. Listen to my preferred music, classical Carnatic and Hindustani instrumental

9. Spend some time with my family if they are available

10. Take a nap and relax my mind

But if you ask me what I do to 'spoil' myself with...

[Lorac]

If I really have to go out and I don't want to, I reward myself by buying something, usually an ice cream, a chocolate bar or something similar. When I am feeling anxious or restless i go outside and exercise a little(I usually just walk until I sweat, no big deal), usually listening to music or a funny podcast.
A good hot/cold shower(depends on the weather) is always good too. My opinion on this may be biased because I am brazilian and we are known for taking way too many showers.
As for sadness and lack of energy... Sometimes you just have to respect your own limits. Sometimes all you need is to stay at home and rest for a whole day, as long as it is not going to get you in trouble.
Watch videos of cute animals.
And my favorite escapism, video games. Nothing makes me forget about my problems as fast as playing my favorite games.

[Zumi]

• Buying Starbucks on some days that I have to go by bus to school

Drawing stuff related to things I really enjoy or like

A nice and hot shower

Just listen to music for a few hours and relax while browsing websites

Nap

Make noodles

Wrap myself in blankets or put on big, comfortable sweaters when i'm cold, or when the weather is getting colder again (i love autumn and winter because sweater weather)

[Deleted User]

Honestly, what helps me feel the best is going to the gym and giving it all that I've got until it hurts and I'm about ready to collapse after lifting and running.

[Tacos]

I would say that I treat myself by stopping by the drive-thru and getting some fries, but it's more like an addiction and i go whenever I'm craving them.

[Eviora]

I rarely do. But, frankly, when I'm at my worst, the most comforting thought is that it would only take a few minutes of courage to rid myself of all my problems forever. I remind myself of that more often than most people would be comfortable with.

[mar_mar]

When I feel the need to "spoil" myself I eat something sweet or I buy new clothes..or games

[Drymus]

There's a few major things I do:

• Sleep in until I feel fully refreshed on the weekends
• Buy chocolate to motivate myself to do assignments
• Round up friends for board games once in a while

[Hycrox]

Sleep... Eat sweets and ice cream... Browse for dank memes...

[Jmanultrax1]

Got some stuff that I like to spoil myself with

- I let myself sleep in until 12 or past it on weekends because I like to sleep (also because its so relaxing lol)

- I sketch my favourite things when I see how awesome they are

- I watch videos or do other stuff in class when im ahead of it

- I treat myself to chocolate when I do a god job (its my weakness)

- I eat food

- I read comics ahead instead of from the beginning (im looking at you ultimate spider man)

- When im done working out I sometimes pour my entire water bottle on my face

- Nice relaxing hot showers

- Teasing my girlfriend because she makes this face that's cute

[Adventurer]

Running for a good condition, eating fruit and not eating sweets or drinking soda (I really don't).

Keeping a good physical condition.

Still I like good food and I enjoy it too. Luckily I cat eat a whole whale without getting fat.

Chocolate is a weak spot of me too. I just LOVE chocolate.

I wear decent clothes because when you are dressed good, you feel good.

I just do what I want when I want. Even annoying stuff like the dishes or so because I like my house clean.

Just like a good physical condition, doing what I want keeps me mentaly sane.

Now only I need a good gf and I'll be really happy, hahaha.

Edited November 8, 2016 by Adventurer

[Joker]

I look at Donald Trump and think to myself: "Hey, at least I'm not that stupid." Always cheers me up, and I recommend it to everyone.

I also buy myself everything and anything I want so long as I can afford it at the time.

[Kurotsune]

Usually I reward myself by talking to my Ame-boo-boo-cake.

That and mints. I have an unhealthy obsession with anything mint flavored and will buy a bunch of them to celebrate anything.

[Magus]

Make my bed, as simple as it is. I start the day productive, by completing the first task. If my day is crappy, I can still come back home to a nice bed, which makes things a little nicer.

[laggless01]

Fitness daily at college and playing guitar. Although lately I've been rather demotivated for the latter.
Oh, seeing people outside of lectures also makes my day (even though that doesn't happen so much).

[Gaunt]

When i need to calm down i usually play games (this "distracts" my mind and gives it time to adjust to the news/changes) or listen to metal (which has basically the opposite effect but) it lets me "expend" my anger very quickly

When i want to reward myself i take a whole day off to be lazy and do whatever comes to mind (or just eat something sweet if that is not possible)

[HughJ]

Very long boiling hot showers