Don’t forget Self Care
While catching up on a backlog of recent articles on HIV related issues I came across this one:
https://www.thebody.com/news/hiv/hiv-advocacy-self-care-rest-is-resistance
and it reminded me that in these times where fear and doubt are pervasive, we still need to take the time to focus on self-care. It’s very easy to get sucked in to the sense of urgency about responding to some of today’s upsetting political events and become business in the fear and doubt they engender. While it is important to be aware of current events, we can’t let them overwhelm us. It is important for PLWH to manage the stress in our lives to balance the inevitable anger with activities that promote health and balance in our lives. My general rule of thumb is this:
Don’t let things outside of your control take over your life. Focus on the things you CAN change and then make that change happen for the betterment of all.
What it takes for each of us to achieve that balance will vary by individuals. For my husband, it is gardening, getting his hands in the earth and making things grow and baking, inventing new treats to share without friends and the POZabilities group. For me, it’s a few different things;
Volunteer work. Now that I am retired I spend a great deal of my time volunteering with causes I believe in. Running POZabilities is one, I’ve joined the city’s Mobility Board and County HIV Planning Group. I volunteer with the UCSD Antiviral Reseach CAB and the local LGBTQ Kiwanis club. I helped found a local urban planning activist group, Vibrant Uptown. I was very lucky in my work life, and so taking the time to give back to my community is something I enjoy.
I keep physically active; I bike, hike, walk rather than drive when I can. I work with a trainer 3X a week, do assisted stretch, massage and acupuncture to keep my body healthy. I guess sitting still drives me every bit as crazy in retirement as it did in my work life.
In short I do whatever I can to effect positive change in my chosen neighborhood and for the people I care about.
So what do YOU do in your life to de-stress and give yourself that sense of peace? Feel free to comment below. IF you like the same things I do, give me a shout!
