Self-Care During Difficult Times

I have received information and materials from ©Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. 2017.The opinions stated are my own. This is a sponsored post. #ForBetterTomorrows #BetterTomorrows #FallBack #CollectiveBias

I already had the ideas for this blog post in my mind for the past few weeks, but the other day, I read an article titled “When Self-Care Feels Selfish” that got me thinking more. I tend to unintentionally play the hero/martyr role, and it is such a part of who I am innately, that I don’t even realize I’m doing it. The result? I often realize afterwards that I’m struggling, emotionally and physically. I feel drained of energy, anxious, and experience minor aches and pains. This was most evident to me when my father grew ill and passed away Halloween 2016. I spent night after night in the hospital with him, attempting to sleep on hard, uncomfortable chairs, waiting for something to happen {for him to either return to better health so he could go home or pass away – and I honestly had no idea which would happen until the very end}. After he passed, I had to take time to heal in so many different ways, and I want to share those with others who may be in need of self-care after difficult times.

Get some fresh air. If you’ve spent a lot of time with an ill loved one in the hospital or a rehabilitation center like Renaissance Recovery — residential treatment programs in OC, you can start to feel very detached from the outside world.

After loss, give yourself time to get some fresh air. Take a walk, sit outside and meditate. Take time to just breathe, find a life coach at hellomanpreet.com to help you make changes and improvements to your life..

Take TYLENOL® PM as directed. As I stated above, I attempted for many nights while my dad was in hospice to sleep in uncomfortable hospital chairs with machines, medical professionals, and visitors walking in and out of the room. I was outside of my normal fitness routine and losing a ton of sleep. TYLENOL® PM can aid in getting a better night’s sleep and helps alleviate minor aches and pains. During difficult times where you feel achy and restless, try TYLENOL® PM following the directions on the packaging.

Hover over the image below to purchase TYLENOL® PM at Walgreens.

Appreciate nature. After spending time in the hospital and really being present toward the end of a loved one’s life, I gained a profound appreciation for nature that I had never really experienced before. I noticed how beautiful the trees were, what the sky looked like the moment the sun rose, how colorful the clouds were right as the sun set below the horizon. Take a nature walk in the woods, visit a beach. Take in nature in any way possible to reconnect with your surroundings.

Return to your exercise routine. As someone who exercises regularly, this was huge for me. Returning to my normal exercise routine definitely helped with some of the aches and pains I experienced after spending so much time in the hospital with my dad. It also helped me to refocus on myself and regain physical strength.

Spend some time alone. Enjoy your own company. It’s likely been a while. Spending time in the hospital, I was surrounded by doctors, nurses, sick people, etc. The constant beeping of different types of equipment wore on me, too. Enjoy silence by reading a book or your snail mail subscription. Cuddle in bed with your favorite beverage and binge watch a new TV series.

Enjoy a little retail therapy. The one-year anniversary of my father’s passing got me very emotional for a few weeks. Now, I’m not saying that buying things could in any way make up for the loss you’re experiencing, but feeling good about yourself can help a little. I went online and purchased some new fall boots. It’s okay to treat yourself when feeling sad if it can boost your mood a little.

When you are experiencing tragedy within your family or loss of a loved one, your emotions bounce around everywhere, you can lose sleep, and experience temporary aches and pains. Watching someone else suffer is incredibly painful. You are living minute-to-minute, hoping to either hear great news about the other person’s improved health or anticipating the sad news that it is time to say goodbye. While you want to get in every last second you can within that person’s presence, you need to take care of yourself as well. Head to Walgreens where you can purchase TYLENOL® PM near the pharmacy.

TYLENOL® PM contains a pain reliever and nighttime sleep aid. ©Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. 2017 The third party trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners.