100 Things We Have Or Want To Add To Our Self-Care Toolbox: 002. Reflexology

100 things we have or want to add to our self-care toolbox (AKA 100 Coping With Life Tools)

002. Reflexology

Ok, disclaimer here: I AM NOT A DOCTOR nor A PROFESSIONAL and if you have a major health issue, you should consult with a doctor, first before using reflexology.

Some major health issues -- for example: CFS/Fibro, diabetes, and any conditions being treated with blood thinners, may require you to be VERY gentle especially when dealing with areas that are trigger points. 

Reflexology is a type of body work using the reflex points on the hands and feet that involves thumbwalking. It relates to zone therapy and with the right practitioners it can be very nice and relaxing. 

I learned this through a class through BU's Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation's Recovery Center's Recovery Education Program. 

It's ideal if you can soak your hands or feet in epsom salts beforehand (or an exfoliating foot or hand scrub). Just no lotions - slippery feet and hands don't work very well with reflexology. I usually do this first thing in the morning after my shower. 

When you finish, drink lots of water and if you want you can put lotion on your feet/hands.

100 Things We Have Or Want To Add To Our Self-Care Toolbox: 001. Paper Chain Diary

 100 things we have or want to add to our self-care toolbox
(AKA 100 Coping With Life Tools)

001. Paper Chain Diary

This is actually a mix of a couple tools that we found works wonders together and it is also one toolbox item that doesn't require many spoons. We can do this in about a minute before bed and it's wonderful.

It's a heavily modified version of The Paper Chain Project (which is usually used for recovery from self-destructive habits)

Our version is mostly for tracking our mindset mostly and as a record of days. And we've only just started doing one of these outworld. :) I'd like to get back into doing this, but i need more colored paper again.

color chain links are for good days
white chains are for bad days

And on the link, we write at least one of the following -
1. Something we want to congratulate ourselves on from that day
2. Something we're grateful for from that day
3. Something we want to work on the next day