Author: Maria (Page 3 of 14)

Hiking: a Self-Care Tip that Benefits Mind and Body

Self-care tip: If you are struggling, like me, maybe with burnout, maybe with anxiety or depression, or feeling overwhelmed or tired, a really helpful small step is to go outside for a walk. A walk through your neighbourhood or a nearby park is great. Even better, is to go to the countryside, the trees, the fresher air. Cris and I are fortunate to live close to trails, conservation areas, rivers and lakes. I do this not nearly often enough, but when I do, I am once again reminded of how much I enjoy it and how much it lifts my mood, even if only for a short while. One more thing to be grateful for.

If, for whatever reason, going outside is not possible right now, or you’re looking for another way to give yourself a break, here is another self-care tip:

Click on my face to hear my tip.

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Caregiving and Teaching: Laughing at Life and Ourselves

Rereading this reflection, which was first posted in mariasmind, I am very aware of the passing of time and how much my life has changed since the teaching years I wrote about. Now, the main focus of my life is taking care of our mother, which is complicated, exhausting, but can also be rewarding and definitely requires a sense of humour. Some of the best moments spent with her are probably sharing a good laugh at something absurd or silly. She has an offbeat sense of humour, and a beautiful smile.

Sometimes I laugh at myself, rather than cry, at how caught up I get in trying to do everything perfectly. As the reflection will make clear, we take ourselves with us. I am working on chilling a little. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy the reflection and can connect to it in some way. Let us know in the comments.

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