I have had to focus on self care this year as it has been challenging at times. I’ve had to shift my focus away from saving up all my self care for a holiday as I need more regular doses of self care. In fact if I had not done self care activities on at least a daily basis I would be in much worse condition than I am at present.

I’ve been working on microdoses of self care. This might be as short and simple as a five minute walk in the hospice garden. This is a combination of leaving my usual seated in front of a computer working position and going outside. Five minutes of fresh air and occasional sunshine in between the recurrent episodes of heavy rain we have experienced in Auckland this year. A small dose of exercise for my body which is at risk of pressure injury from prolonged sitting. A chance for my eyes to focus on objects which are further away than the screens I look at while doing computer based work. To feel the wind through my hair. To smell the flowers and the trees.

There is a slightly more shaded area of the garden path I spend a bit more time in. If you stop at the right spot and close your eyes you feel almost transported into a forest. You hear the wind rustling through the trees. There is birdsong from nectar feeders who have had plenty to eat in recent weeks. I walk around the garden and I might bump into some of the many volunteers who keep the garden looking its best. I try to stop and chat to the volunteers as often as I can. To thank them for what they do for our organisation.

Five minutes, 500 steps. A short workout for my otherwise sedentary body. A couple of times per day on a good day. It all adds up, every little bit counts.

What self care activities have you done for yourself today? What can you do for yourself that will take five minutes?