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COPING SKILLS & TIDBITS TO MAKE
YOUR DAY EASIER
Skip to the bottom and read up on some great PAMPERING ideas!
 | Join us in the chat room on
Mondays & Thursdays for "Motivational" times when we do these things
together! We encourage each other in tasks and people from all
around the world are 'completing small (and large) tasks' together!
It's a great way to get much done without wearing yourself out!
Mark your calendar and join us on Mondays & Thursdays! |
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You say, "But I just don't feel like it" ... but may I suggest, just try
it for 10 minutes and see what happens! |
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This page is for those days when you just don't feel like doing anything,
but you need a little encouragement to get you going. Like, brushing your
teeth, washing your face, showering, running a dust cloth over the
furniture, vacuuming or sweeping, or... yes, even making dinner! |
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However, "coping skills" aren't JUST about doing the daily chores and
routine cleaning to keep yourself healthy. It also includes taking time
to rest, to do something fun, to pamper yourself, or to just 'veg out' if
that is what relaxes and rests you!
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Please keep in mind that this is not an
all-inclusive list - it is just a place to start. Take from it what you
can use, and add to it on your own personal journal of things that work
for you -- and if you have a great idea you would like to see added,
submit it to Shep and it just may be on the website next time you take a
peek!
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Read ONE verse in the Bible and
meditate on it - or read the weekly reading on the
Shepherd of Hope Scripture Page --
meditate on it and see how the Lord uses it in your life this week!
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Brush your teeth; smile --
you're in front of the mirror anyhow, so just do it!
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Wash your face; put on lotion
and go relax for several minutes before going on.
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Brush your hair; make an
appointment for a trim!
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Eat something good for
breakfast, this is truly the most important meal of the day!
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Limit caffeine, if you are
completely 'leaded' now -- go to 1/2 and 1/2 to help cut back!
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Drink lots of water - fill a
container and leave it near where you sit most of the day, and keep a
glass nearby so you don't have to remember to get up and go get it!
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Put ONE load of clothes into
the washer (if you don't have time to do your sheets, just throw in the
pillow cases - they will smell great and help you sleep tonight!
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Fold ONE load of clothes - just do hang up stuff first, then fold t-shirts
and pants, put socks and undies in a basket and 'ask for help' with those
items... Kids are great at socks too!
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Make
your bed. I do this partly before I get out of bed by using my legs and
arms to stretch the covers to the proper portion of the bed -- by the time
I get out of bed, it's mostly done! Just fluff the pillows! During the
day when you see it made, you feel better about it!
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Carry a garbage bag around
the house and pitch JUNK! (try this on days when you feel the house looks
cluttered)
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Carry a bag, box or basket
around the house to collect the "things" 'out of place'
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One trip with hand lotions,
bathroom things that got left out, etc.. gather it all into one bag and
then make ONE trip to that room to put it away. Next time, gather
stuff for the kitchen, garage, etc... just do ONE room at a time!
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Using a disposable dust cloth
(or dollar store wet ones) wipe off the TV screen, glass objects in the
living room, etc... don't get carried away, there is always
tomorrow!
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Put all the books and
magazines into a basket and set it beside a sofa or under an end table.
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Make cards and send
homemade cards, or call friends and read Scripture verses to them over
the phone! What a wonderful way to minister to someone else
and feel needed and valuable at the same time! (Thank you whitecap
for this great suggestion!)
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Clean off the kitchen table -
set it for dinner if you are really feeling energetic!
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Clean ONE counter in your
kitchen -- tomorrow, do another, then another, etc...
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Collect all of the garbage --
from every room -- take it to the bin.
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Get a large basket (laundry
basket) and put everything in it that is NOT where it belongs from one
room only -- over the next day try to get it all put in it's rightful
place. Do that again on another day with clutter from another room.
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Using those disposable
kitchen cleaners (like Clorox) wipe down the registers in ONE room - do
another on another day, etc... nothing to wash - and the house smells nice
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Using those disposable dust
cloths, wipe down the living room furniture one day, perhaps a bedroom or
a dining area another day... nothing to wash!
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Keep a nice clean dish
drainer (just a buck at the dollar store) in one side of your sink. Using
one of those sponges that holds soap, keep dishes and cups wiped up during
the day rather than letting them gather up. Let them air dry and put
away before you got to bed.
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Read a book - yes, reading grows your mind and keeps you young -- perhaps
you like crosswords, sudoku, etc... read or play a book game that keeps
your mind busy! |
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Pampering Yourself -- ahhhh....
sounds great..... but who has the energy.....
just try it and see what
happens!
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It's amazing what a nice warm bath can do to soothe the muscles, the mind
and the spirit. For a detoxifying bath (helps to draw toxins that have
built up in your body) add a couple of cups of Epsom Salts to a full very
warm tub of water. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Soak
for no longer than 20 minutes - (NOTE: Check with your doctor before doing
this type of bath!) - and then wrap up in a warm towel or robe and jump
into bed for another 10-20 minutes. You will sweat excessively. Take a
warm shower to rinse off and 'slather' your body in your favorite lotion
then enjoy the feeling of refreshment.
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If you have high blood pressure or are on medications, ask your doctor
before doing the detox bath. If he says not to use that method, do not
add the Epsom Salts, but use a tea bag or other fragrant bath oil or
soak. Spend 20 minutes reading, resting or just letting your mind
meditate upon the Lord. Slather with
lotion afterward for a soft smooth feeling.
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Here is one of my favorites - wash your hair, apply a very heavy coating
of conditioner (doesn't need to be expensive, but I like something like
Neutrogena's Intense Treatment) and coat it on heavy -- rub it in and run
your fingers through your hair. Put on a plastic shower cap and wrap
your head in a hair towel (a warm one is nicest). Leave it on all
day or yes, all night! When you rinse your hair, it will be so shiny
and silky soft and your scalp will feel so fresh. There is nothing
like a soft clean head of hair to make you feel pampered!
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Grab a good book and a dish pan - and head for a comfy chair. Fill
the pan with hot water and Epsom Salts and either a foot soak or some body
wash soap. Lay a towel underneath the pan to protect the floor, but
also for drying your feet. Use the salts in the water to rub against
the soles of your feet, then when you are done soaking, clean and shape
your nails, and if desired, apply some polish. And, then, yes, slather
them in a good foot lotion and put on a pair of fuzzy socks and take a ten
minute 'nap' -- but leave the socks on all day!
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I happen to appreciate the fact that I can do something about the look of
my hands - I like them to be soft, smooth and callous free. So, I keep
hand lotion (I like Crabtree and Evelyn's Gardener's Helper) around my
house and when I pass it, I apply it. I also keep a pair of white
cotton gloves nearby so I can wear then until the lotion is well soaked
in. Mary Kay makes a great product (Satin Hands) that is meant for
this very purpose -- I am a HUGE fan of this set and do this at least once
a week -- it truly pampers my hands, but also reminds me that even if I
don't get out much, I need to take care of my own body too!
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If you are a guy asking 'what about me?' - there are great ways to pamper
you too -- first, these things are not 'just for girls' so consider that
bath, a rest, or soaking your feet! However, there are some ways a
guy feels pampered that don't require water. A ride in the car with
no particular direction or purpose -- just drive -- stop when you feel
like it, have a cup of coffee and a sandwich and then return home!
Just being alone in the car sometimes refreshes you and let's you get your
thoughts sorted out and leaves you feeling refreshed.
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Try attending a game. It doesn't HAVE to be a Michigan game to be
good *smiles* -- it can be at your local high school. basketball,
soccer, wrestling, baseball, football, and other games can get you out of
the house and give you reason to 'holler' a bit! I don't know the
reason behind it, but sometimes just a good holler makes you feel better!
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Fishing and Hiking are not just for men -- a quiet walk in the woods, or
in your own backyard can relieve a lot of tension, give you time to talk
to the Lord and relieve you of a lot of stress. Fishing, one of my
favorites, is just a great time to be on the water and, really, who cares
if you catch anything or not? It's mainly about the quiet and the
time away from the things that weigh heavily on your mind.
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Again, with doctor's permission, try sitting outside in the sun. I love
the sun (and the Son) and for me, when the sun in out, I feel better -
period! I live in Northern Michigan where the winters are long, and that
tends to add to my own 'SAD'ness issues. I use only valances so that my
windows are open to allow in all the sun I can during the winter days. In
the summer, the heat really bothers me, so I don't spend as much time
outdoors as I used to, but I do pull out my lounge chair, a tall bottle of
water and 'slather' myself in sun-tanning oil and for at least a little
while, I 'close my eyes' and feel the "Son" warm my heart.
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Congratulations!
You are number
to
visit for coping skill ideas since January 17, 2008 |
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