My Self-Care
The label neurodiverse is complicated topic and you’re wading into social science discussions, academic discussions. You’re wading into the kind of discussion that might require a lot of footnotes. Schizophrenia patients become afflicted with the illness later in life. Unlike Autistism Spectrum Disorder, your childhood can be completely normal and even above average without the challenges of being non-verbal for example like with ASD. When I was a kid I got straight A’s except for Math which I consistently got B’s. I do have an above average IQ prior to my first psychosis and I measured genius on the bell curve, but psychosis can change a person’s intelligence. Prolonged psychosis untreated without medicine can actually shrink the brain.
Just as the responsibilities of adulthood are the heaviest, people living with schizophrenia become unable to execute even the simplest tasks and find difficulty looking after themselves and their families. It can be a very confusing time before, during and after diagnosis and the stress of not being able to perform at work or complete simple life tasks can be unbearable.
There was a time when I weighed 105 lbs and at 5”9 I looked skeletal. I was starving and not because I wanted to, but because I couldn’t bring myself to cook every night. I’d usually eat 1 meal a day and it needed to be something easily made.
I’ve done some reading of books written by those living with the illness and I learned a few tips and tricks that I want to share. One is if your friends are wondering how to make your life easier for you, home cooked meals that you can put in the freezer and quickly cook when you’re not up for it is great. I unfortunately didn’t have that friend circle so alternatively, when you are able to cook on a particular day, make extra to freeze for future meals.
I want to talk about affordable Self-Care essentials for the chronically ill but also more expensive approaches too for when your budget permits. It’s important to set aside a budget every month for health and beauty wellness strategies to better your feelings of calm and commit to your recovery.
Affordable Self-Care
If showers are too difficult, take baths.
Get nice soap, toothpaste and essential oils that you WANT to use
Listen to music that makes you feel zen or happy
Read a book or go to a book club
Listen to an audiobook if you can’t bring yourself to read
If yoga is not your thing, stretch.
Get outside for walks, get a step counter and aim for 10,000 steps 3 times a week.
Buy yourself flowers!
Get a nourishing Facemask from the pharmacy- I recently paid $2.99 for mine so if you’re on a tight budget, the price is right. Remember that men can do Facemasks too
Journal or write poetry
Learn a language on Duolingo (it’s free!)
Paint your nails
Self-Care For Bigger Budgets
Get a massage
Get a manicure & pedicure at the Spa
Get a Facial
Haircut
Botox ;)
Retail Therapy
Travel
Take a Fitness Class
Get a good Therapist
Go to Sephora and update your makeup collection
These are just a few ideas for Self-Care for Health and Beauty. Hope you find this helpful.
Thank you to the caregivers, friends and unconventional onlookers for being here. May your days be filled with inspiration and blessings.
