If you are visiting from the Newport Daily News column for “Unpopular Opinion”, welcome. As promised we are continuing the self care conversation…take a look.

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Self-care includes saying “no” and limiting your exposure to things that trigger you. It’s important to know your limits and to not overwhelm yourself by taking on additional tasks. Saying “No” to things is ok. Social media can be a trigger for many, limit your social media intake- I have even gone as far as unfollowing and unfriending certain people who had a lot of trauma, negativity or extremely violent videos/photos on their timeline.

Resist the need to argue or try to change people’s minds- have you ever been around people in real life, or on your Twitter or Facebook feed and seen/heard an outlandish comment, something really upsetting or radical opinion? I know that I have for sure. Many people will find themselves engaged in a full-on argument that will get you nowhere. Understanding that for some, you can never convince them or change their minds, no matter how compelling you feel your argument is-is important. When you recognize these situations and disengage- it will save you a lot of frustration.

Free or low cost self-care:

• Take an am walk

• Listen to music

• Practice mindfulness

• Say affirmations out loud

• Practice gratitude

• Write a thank you note to someone to show appreciation

• Blow bubbles

• Journal

• Mantras

• Take a nap

• Get a good nights sleep

• Read

• Schedule “me time” on your calendar – be sure to not name it “me time” especially on shared, digital calendars. You want to schedule yourself some uninterrupted time and if you or others view it as just “me time” you may fill it with something else.

• Find a new hobby- online videos

• De-clutter, your home and or workspace

• Design a relaxing ritual for am or pm-

• Try a free class at the library

• Turn off your phone for a little while

• Take a social media break (unfollow or unfriend people who have triggering posts so they no longer show up in your newsfeed)

• Give yourself a gift of five minutes of contemplation and observation of everything that you see around you. Take a walk outside and look around- BE PRESENT you will begin to notice things that you may not have before.

• Research self-care to learn more. Taking the time to find out what works for you so that you can incorporate it into your daily life, is also an act of self-care.

• Drink water