Self-Care Ideas From People With Aphasia

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