Aphasia is stressful. People with aphasia are often told to “practice self-care” to relieve or prevent stress. But what does that even mean?
Maybe you think of self-care as bubble baths and yoga classes, but self-care is anything you do to make yourself feel good and recharge. It can be petting your dog, taking a walk, saying “no” to plans when you are tired, or practicing speech – anything that makes you feel good.
During a recent Aphasia Cafe chat, we asked people with aphasia what they do to practice self-care. They provided a very long list of options. Can you find something on this list to try when you feel stressed?
Self-Care Tips From People With Aphasia
Art. – Lisa
Deep breathing and listening to music. – Vashon
Drive. – Rick
Enjoy a mug of tea, sit outside, read, and do art. – Margo
Exercise. – Ron, Stephen, and Megan
Exercise on my bike every day, read the NYT and do my daily Wordle, stay in regular contact with friends, watch the news, etc. – Debbie
Exercise with music & catch up on streaming TV shows. Minimize contact with those who give me stress . – Mert
Exercise, clean, and work on hobbies. – John
Exercise, use tDCS every day, practice lists of words many times – trying to keep my memory, word remembers, and writing. – Cheryl
Go for a walk or talk to my mom or daughter. – Julia
Go on a walk. – Joelle, Christle, and Sherrie
Go walking, swimming, reading, visiting art galleries, and meeting. – Lucie
Healthy food and exercise. – Rob
I go for a walk or bike to the Rock Island Trail. I can go 12 miles without cars or interruptions. – Gruce
I put myself, others, and being before material things. – James
I’ve created a space in the garage where I listen to music, sports, and talk radio. – Jim
Listen to audiobooks. – Laura
Listen to music. – Georgina
Meditate, rest, read, and walk. – James
Meditate. – Seth and Frank
Go to Miami Beach. – Adrian
Mindfulness (meditation), hiking, and gardening. – Tim
Music and Bible study. – Tenise
My son, 13 years old, walking, swimming, etc. – Rebecca
Play bridge, listen to music, iPad. – Marshall
Play my guitar/sing. – Frank
PPA Aphasia Chats with Becky & Friends. – Elizabeth
Pray aloud. – Paula
Prayer. – Debbie
Reach 9yr or breathe deep, or just stop thinking until I understand better. – Larry
Read until I fall asleep. – Ben
Reading. – Deborah and Susan
Reading, exercising, zoom classes, and calling family members. – Debi
Ride a bike. – Robert
Routines are best, like getting the WSJ, doing my devotions, getting dressed and making coffee, walking and exercising, doing errands, watching television, etc. – Paul
So far, I kind of go with the stress a bit to see where it takes me. I see more of it now and am better at explaining it, so even after I reset my mind. – Larry
Take a walk with a friend. – Marilyn
Take walks, read newspapers and books, talk to friends, and listen to music. – Barbara
Thank family members for giving me time mid-sentence to find my next word(s). – Mary Ellen
Try and stay in the moment and be aware of my surroundings. – Larry
Video games, completing homework, watching funny videos on YouTube, and listening to music on Spotify :D. – Adam
Walk and read. – Rick
Walk outside. – Joyce
Walk, exercise, and art. – Steve
Walk, work out with a trainer, and watch comedies. – Susan
Walking to the park, driving my car, and reading. – Steve
Watch TV or listen to a book. – Joelle
Watch TV or play games. – James
Work in the greenhouse, garden, walk my dog, and do yoga breathing. – Ken
Working out. – Jane
Yoga, taichi/qigong, meditate, music, arts & crafts. – Trazana
