Self care - what does it mean to you? How do you factor it in to your life?

I had knee pain for a while a year ago and a friend’s son who’s a physio gave me some stretching exercises to do. I do about 5 mins in bed before I get up - bending the leg, stretching etc. then 5 mins in the bathroom. Same at night. 1/2 hour walk every day at least. Aqua fit at the pool once a week. No knee pain now 👍 (and we have 8 GC!)

I have the same problem as kittylester - find it impossible to factor in back exercises. I wonder whether it’s easier if you live alone. DH gets up at the same time as me and breakfast is a companionable time of day. Then daily life takes over. I get very annoyed with myself and constantly invent routines but they never work.

I am with Judy54 - I go for a daily walk, that’s it. I have managed so far, without any dire health issues. My next door neighbour does even less - not even a daily walk and touch wood, we are both quite well.

I prioritse it, if it something like exercises that are given.

I do things like that before I deal with grandchildren. Or after they have gone to bed.

This mornng had a long bath. As needed it.

The first half hour after I wake and get up is for me to sit alone with my tea (in the garden under a tree if it’s dry) and just dwell on the day ahead.

The following hour is spent exercising, checking emails and news before a shower then breakfast.

Whatever needs to be done that morning then gets done - good, bad and trivial stuff on my list. This leaves the afternoon for sheer enjoyment whether it be reading, socialising, or snoozing and catching up with a series on tv.

I like a wind down before bedtime too where I read or do crosswords for ten minutes before ablutions then bed for another seven hours of lovely restorative sleep 😴. That’s my self care sorted.

I look on self care as taking a bit of responsibility for my own health and wellbeing. My Fitbit tells me how much exercise I need to do each day. I don't always make the target but some days I really exceed it. I don't enjoy exercise but religiously attend Aquafit classes three times a week because I know they're good for me.
I'm a bit defensive about it really as I had a friend who expected a pill for everything, drank to excess, wouldn't eat fruit and veg, ran to the doctor at the first sniffle. It made me very keen to do what I could for me. I know my attitude annoyed her though.

Mine doesn’t either Kittylester. I work on the principle that it’s better to do just a few repeats of one or two exercises than none at all. It’s surprising how much exercise I end up fitting in and my physio approves. I apply the same principle to decluttering.

How do you make sure you factor it in? My life doesn't seem to work like that.

Self care is making time for myself sitting down with a nice cup of tea, doing the crossword and relaxing.

I have just been on holiday with a friend who has knee exercises every day.

Some days she did them, others not.

My self-care went out of the window...!

I do my back exercises first thing in the morning and/or last thing at night, my back is my priority, any issues I could be stymied to help anyone, including grandchildren!