It’s National Blog Post Month! What I Do For Self Care

Happy November!!

I decided to make a commitment and join other bloggers in the blog post a day challenge in November. Yes it’s National Blog Post Month or #NaBlogPoMo. So if you see this hashtag, you will know what it means.  I really am hoping I will be able to do it.

So as a member of the Blogher community, we will get daily prompts for blog post subject matter.  We do not need to use these and there will probably days when I do, and others where I just wing it.  I decided to use today’s prompt since it is one I can see my readers finding appealing and maybe even helpful.

So today’s prompt is this:

When you’re having a bad day with your mental health, what do you do to help yourself?

While hitting middle age can be quite freeing, for those of us going through menopause, it can be a roller coaster of emotions (along with a roller coaster of body temperatures).  Practicing self-care is important.  We all have ways of taking care of ourselves.  Here are my favorite things to do when I feel down.

• Go for a walk-This always makes me feel better.  A bonus if it is a gorgeous day out.  Exercise is a no brainer when we are feeling down.  I find that I can work out whatever is getting me down while I am walking.
• Read-In my book, reading solves everything.  Whether I’m reading an inspiring non fiction book, or a great fiction book that takes me to faraway places, reading is almost a meditative experience.
• Talk to a friend-This has to be my favorite thing to do when I’m feeling down. A lunch or some kind of outing is just the medicine I need. Even a simple text to a bestie is enough to lighten my spirits.  It reassures me that there are people that have my back no matter what.
• Journaling-Writing my feelings out in my journal has been my go-to therapy since I was in High School.  Sometimes all it takes is putting those feelings in words and on paper.  I find it is easier to let go of negative feelings after I have poured my heart out on the page.
• Watching movies-I love movies!  I have 2 feel good movies that are my staples when I need a pick-me-up.  Midnight In Paris and The Devil Wears Prada are my favorite movies of all time.  I have watched them over and over and never tire of them. Every time I watch Midnight In Paris I take a mini trip to my favorite city. This makes me instantly happy.

So that is my short list of things I do to feel better.  Most of the time one or several of these suggestions will lift me out of a funk.  What are your favorite ways to chase away the blues?  Let me know in the comments below.