Fibromyalgia

This is simply a list of self care options. I found them across the internet. I didn’t include many cuz I didn’t consider them realistic or appropriate for someone dealing with chronic pain.

1. Pick one thing that you need to do and get it done so it’s off your mental “to do” list.
2. Get a manicure or pedicure.
3. Get a massage.
4. Try acupuncture. Some even find it helps your health as well as your mood
5. Intentionally schedule “me time.”
6. Listen to music that inspires and motivates you.
7. Write a list of things you’re grateful to have in your life.  Post it where you can see it often.
8. Tell someone near you what you appreciate about them. Watch them light up. Making someone else feel better tends to make you feel better.
9. Try out a new hobby.
10. Learn how to make a budget and keep track of your money coming in, going out, and know how much money you have right now. If you live paycheck to paycheck, this can be incredibly empowering.
11. Take a moment at the end of each day and consciously list a few good things in your life. Refocus your emotions on all the positive things that happen each day, even when it doesn’t seem like it.
12. Turn off your phone and step away from the computer for a whole day.
13. Random acts of kindness come back around!
14. Take a few minutes out of your day and a enjoy a funny animal video on YouTube
15. Do something nice for someone and make sure no one can trace it back to you—an incognito act of kindness.
16. Go for a walk by yourself with headphones on, listening to music you love.
17. Prepare a meal, no matter how simple.
18. Create something for no practical purpose such as a song, a poem, an essay, a painting, a drawing, a comic strip, a collage, etc.just breathe.
19. Shower with all the lights off. (This was a brand new one for me)  It forces you to move incredibly slow and it’s so relaxing. Make sure to have safety mats in place so you don’t slip on your way out.
20. If you have the help, try and rearrange some of your furniture in a way that makes you more comfortable or just to try something fresh in your living space.
21. Check in with yourself a few times each day and take a moment to process your thoughts and emotions. Don’t let them build up.
22. Swing on a swing set. Too many adults forget how much fun this is. But be careful not to go too high! Lol
23. Call your friend or sibling when you know they can’t answer and leave a ridiculously funny made up song as your voicemail. You’ll spread a little laughter while also laughing in the process.
24. Do a five minute meditation on your feet.
25. Go out to see a movie at your favorite theater all by yourself. Or even just cuddle up with a good flick on Netflix or Disney+
26. Make brownies or some treat  and give them away to a neighbor, family member, friend, or someone you know that could use a pick-me-up. Enjoy any leftover batter.
27. Make a piece of artwork—draw, paint, cut and paste, whatever—that someone might interpret as ugly and tell it you love and accept it anyway.
28. Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race and bask in the charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent of the contestants.  (Not my thing, but ok)
29. Karaoke, but do it completely sober.
30. Worry less about your bathroom scale or any other appliance that makes you feel bad about yourself.
31. Go to a support group meeting and share.
32. Go to a support group meeting and listen.
33. Listen to a podcast about something that interests you that you haven’t yet explored.
34. Have a cup of tea (or coffee) and just chill out for the time it takes you to drink it.
35. Tell your pet all of your darkest, most shameful secrets. His or her nonchalance and snuggles will remind you that you’re okay.
36. Share dorky pictures of yourself from middle school and angsty teenage poetry and drawings with your friends. Ask for your friends to share theirs with you. This is a great way to let go of feelings of shame or any embarrassment you might be holding onto from those awkward years. Unless you are still friends from middle school & high school, then just reminisce
37. Roll out a blanket and eat your dinner on the grass at home or in the park. Invite someone else if you’d like company. Picnic!
38. Hot tub or if you live near them, hot springs.
39. 54. Make yourself your  comfort food   At the right time or during the right type of weather it can be great for boosting your mood.
40. Tell yourself something that resists self-criticism but feels encouraging like, “I’m doing the best that I can.” Self-affirmations are awesome!
41. Taking care of yourself can start with something small! Maybe today you just need to lie down on the couch instead of on your bed for a change of scenery.
42. Write something encouraging on a post-it and put it where you will see it every day! Or write directly on your mirror: “I am beautiful and brave.”
43. Say a magnificent affirmation out loud, like “I am a child of the universe, and I have been given endless talents and capabilities.”
44. Commit to posting mostly or only positive things on your favored social media site for a while. For every sad news item, there’s a related (or unrelated) story of resilience, bravery, and triumph.
45. Send that positive energy into your community. Write a positive review for a local company.  Share some love for your favorite local places!
46. If you can, find something you used to like to do, whether or not you were or are “good at it” and do it.
47. Donate a book to a local library box.
48. Listen to an album you loved when you were younger but haven’t heard in a long time.
49. Make a playlist or mixtape about your current mood.
50. Congratulate yourself for doing difficult things, even if they might not seem difficult to others. Depending on the individual, plenty of everyday things can be difficult, like riding the bus, standing in line, filing paperwork, going to the doctor, making food, doing chores, etc.
51. Send a postcard or just a blank greeting card to someone far away. Decorate it before sending it.  Getting something in the mail that is not a bill or a flyer is awesome!
52. Paint your nails a fun color. Use jewels, glitter, nail stickers, or false nails. If you don’t want to spend money, try to use something you have around the house and see where your creativity leads.
53. Go to a store that sells crystals and buy one that speaks to you. Look up what it means or does. Sometimes they are $1 or less!
54. Select a lesser known book by a favourite author and dive into the pages.
55. Use a site like meetup.com, find something you’re interested in, and commit to going to one meeting.
56. Send a hand write a letter to a friend or relative and start a conversation the old-fashioned way. If they are younger, don’t use cursive!
57. Find a spot in a busy place such as downtown, a bus station, or a mall and sit in silence with nowhere to be.
58. Read a religious text you aren’t familiar with.
59. Build something spectacular with Legos, either from a kit or from your imagination.
60. Take an Epsom salt bath in total darkness and silence, or perhaps with just a candle or two.
61. Bring a little cheer to your local animal shelter. Pet the kitties and walk a dog. You don’t necessarily have to take one home with you.
62. Go for a walk around the neighborhood, or hike a local trail you’ve never been on.
63. Cook a healthy and delicious meal using fresh ingredients you rarely splurge on.
64. Plant something—a tree, a small vegetable garden, a flower.
65. Sing! Turn up your favorite sing-along tunes and channel your inner Rita McNeil, Taylor Swift,  Eminem, Trent Reznor, or whoever moves you.
66. Finish this sentence: “I love myself because I _________.” Do this once per day, with a new ending each time.
67. Watch a feel-good sitcom for a few giggles. Not necessarily binge watching, but just an episode or two.
68. When you wake up in the morning, get in the habit of making your first thought a positive one: “I am ready for today.” “Today is a new opportunity.” “I will do something I am proud of today.”
69. Touch nature every single day. Hug a tree, pick a flower, or run your fingers through some grass.
70. Exercise. Be in Tai chi, Yoga or Pilates!
71. Cut some fresh flowers and display them prominently to lift your spirit.
72. Take a nap if you feel you need it.
73. Treat yourself to a tasty meal at a fancy restaurant because you’ve earned it. Or get it through Uber Eats or Door Dash.
74. Go to a comedy club. Laughter really is the best medicine.
75. On a clear night, find a safe and secluded spot away from the lights of the city, grab a blanket, stare up at the stars, and let your mind wander from big to small thoughts.
76. Go for a drive to nowhere in particular.
77. Attend a local music performance. Many small clubs, restaurants, and coffee shops have free admission for some shows. Some towns have free shows at the parks.
78. Allow yourself to sleep in a couple of extra hours this weekend; errands and chores can wait!
79. Instead of always going to the tried-and-true, try a new restaurant this week. You might discover a new go-to.
80. Next time you’re getting lunch, buy lunch for the person behind you in line. Say you’re “paying it forward” and walk away with a smile on your face.
81. Book a night at a hotel outside of town, somewhere you’ve never spent much time. Explore the scene and enjoy the sights.
82. Go wine tasting. It’s an inexpensive way to sample a variety of local wines you might not be able to find in stores.
83. Go out for lunch with your mom, dad, or another family member  you get on with, treat if you can. You’ll be glad you did.
84. Write a limerick or a haiku!
85. Drink more water. The benefits are endless.
86. Write positive affirmations or inspirational quotes on small pieces of paper, then go to a bookstore and hide them in random books for strangers to find.
87. Try to find somewhere you can skip rocks on water.
88. Cuddle with your fur baby.
89. Make an inspiration collage and hang it where you can see it. Use it to help generate new ideas and thoughts when you need them.
90. Ask for help when you need it. It sounds simple, but trying to handle everything without help causes stress and anxiety for a lot people.
91. Take five to 10 minutes before bed to focus on what’s going on inside. Notice all parts of your body and acknowledge them.
92. If you want cuddles or a massage or quality time or whatever from your partner, ask for it! Sometimes you just gotta tell them what you need. 
93. Start a blog and write absolutely anything. You never know how your words might touch or hook people from all over the world!
94. If you are not keen on sharing your thoughts with the world, try journaling. There are a lot of different ways to do it both online & offline. 
95. Join a forum like Reddit or another place to talk about things you like.
96. Spend some time volunteering in a way you enjoy. It’s an opportunity to give back to your community. Even just an hour at a soup kitchen  is appreciated.
97. Find a shop with tea, chocolate, or spices and enjoy the free smells for a while.
98. Go to an antique shop and marvel at all the history represented there. Make up stories about the objects’ pasts and the people they belonged to.
99. Go immersed yourself in nature.
100. Dance to your favourite song on the radio.
101. Make a point of having quality time, a date night with your significant  other.
102. If you have kids, organize a family night. Movies, games, cards, Lego!
103. Learn how to tactfully say no to invitations or requests at times when you already feel overwhelmed. Or to prevent you from getting overwhelmed
104. Have a glass (or two) of red wine. Other than temporary stress relief, there are some great health benefits as long as you don’t overdo it. Everything  in moderation ( Definitely not my thing)
105. Take a bubble bath with a good book.
106. Use the internet for its intended purpose and look up videos of cats, dogs, bunnies, comedians & for me, GenX content creators..Do not go down a rabbit hole. Set a timer. Do Not Snooze.

Anyone have any other good ones they’d like to share? 

Are there some listed that you think are unrealistic?