Chaplain's Chat

Hi everyone and welcome back!

I know things are a bit weird and crazy right now and having a lack of routine can make us feel like things are out of our control. It is normal to be feeling all sorts of negative and uncomfortable emotions at the moment and many of us cope with these feelings in different ways.

What is important to remember, is not to forget to self-care. Self-care refers to the activities and practices that we deliberately choose to engage in on a regular basis in order to enhance our health and wellbeing. This is especially important in times of stress.

When you look after your own wellbeing, it will allow you to better look after the wellbeing of others.

Self-care can help prevent stress and anxiety and give you energy to meet the demands of daily life. It can help you become more productive and more resilient to stress.

Some ideas for self-care include:

Do something physical that energizes your body: stretch, switch, run, dance etc..
Take the time to sit back and relax in a calming environment: Take a warm bath, sit outside in the sun, relax on the couch with some calming music – something which will allow you to recharge
Create a gratitude list: Write down a list of all the things you’re thankful for. You can share it with the family and encourage others to do the same.
De-clutter something: Sometimes our outside environment can cause stress and anxiety. Taking time to de-clutter and organise can create a feeling of accomplishment and peace
Engage and stay connected to friends and support network: If an in-person meetup is off the table, try a Zoom meetup or a phone call!
Practise creativity: Whether that looks like trying a new recipe, doing some colouring or writing in a journal – doing something new and different will help!
Watch or read something uplifting: Distractions can be a good thing sometimes. Watch something that you find uplifting or funny and allow yourself to zone out to what is going on in the world.
Unplug for a day: Going on a social media and technology fast can help focus your mind and reduce stress

Remember! Children need to practise self-care too! If your family prioritises and normalises self-care, you are teaching your children valuable skills and lessons about resilience and coping with stress. If you can, try to make self-care something the whole family practices together.

If you still are feeling down, overwhelmed or uncomfortable, please don’t be afraid to ask for help! Your GP can give you some professional advice and provide you with help and support. You can also access some great telephone and online services for free such as Lifeline (13 11 14) or Parentline (13 22 89). Children can also access support for free on Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) and Headspace (1800 650 890)

Angelique Vardis