Emotional Regulation
Taking a deep breath can help you do this.
calm down
Sleeping, eating, and hygiene belong in this area of balance
self-care
Washing your body with soap and water
bathing
A racing heart, clenched fists, or tight muscles can be signs of this emotion.
anger
Small actions done every day can become these.
habits
Walking away from an argument is an example of this
impulse control
These help prevent bad smells and germs
hygiene habits
This should be brushed at least once a day.
teeth
This describes noticing what you're feeling and why.
self-awareness
Cooking, cleaning, and laundry are examples of these.
daily activities
Something that causes a strong emotional reaction.
trigger
OTs teach that taking a hot shower, brushing your teeth, and combing your hair do more than keep you clean they give a massive boost to this internal feeling.
self-esteem
Doing hygiene tasks at the same time each day creates this.
routine
This feeling can happen when you are nervous about something coming up.
anxiety or worry
The main mission of an OT is not to do things for you, but to give you the exact skills and confidence you need to regain this powerful, independent state.
independence
Managing your emotions in a healthy way is called this
emotional regulation
Taking care of your skin, clipping your nails, and checking your feet for cuts are grooming habits that actively prevent this medical issue
infection
Wearing clean clothes can help create one of these.
good impression
If you are having a rough day, sharing your thoughts with a trusted friend, a shelter case manager, or an OT group leader is a great way to process this.
feelings
Doing things you enjoy, like sports, music, or cards.
leisure
This advanced calming tool forces your brain to freeze an anxious thought loop by forcing you to stop and name 5 things you see, 4 you touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, and 1 you taste.
5-4-3-2-1 method
Having no recreation or enjoyable activities can negatively affect this.
mental health
Keeping your living space clean helps maintain this.
healthy environment
Spending too much time sitting alone by your bunk can cause you to feel isolated. OTs recommend joining a group meal or a card game to build this vital, supportive network.
community
Having a mix of self-care, work, rest, and fun is called
occupational balance