Today, October 10th, is #WorldMentalHealthDay - a day dedicated to spreading mental health awareness and advocating against mental health stigma. Life can get extremely hectic, heavy, and exhausting. One of the best ways to recharge and take care of our mental health is to practice a little self-care. If you’re in Austin, there are plenty of self-care options if you are looking for some alone time or self-care for the entire family!
Here are some ideas to get those self-care juices flowing:
1. Self-Care Sundays @ Meredith Heritage Tree Deck
Start your Sundays by grounding through an eclectic mix of mindful movement at Waterloo Park, including Qi Gong, yoga, meditation, and sound healing. Classes are instructor-led and all ages are welcome. Waterloo Park recommends you RSVP, but it is not required.
2. Austin Public Library
Austin has an excellent library system with numerous branches, which can act as an avenue for self-care for the entire family! There are frequent events for all ages and interests, including All Ages Storytime and Adult Pottery Painting. Self-care at the library can be more than just a place to find your next book - it can include social connection and investing time in things that interest you.
3. The Contemporary Austin - Jones Center
The Contemporary Austin provides an immersive experience of starting with glittering work of art floating above the roofline and visible from the street. Families can scratch their art itch, with kids ages 18 and under getting free admission daily and free admission for all ages on Thursdays.
4. Thinkery Austin
The Thinkery Austin is an evolution of the Austin Children’s Museum - a place where science and families play side by side! It can be a perfect practice in self-care by distracting with creativity and imagination. Amazingly, children and families have free admission during Community Hours on Tuesdays from 3pm to 7pm and Sundays from 3pm to 5pm.
After you leave the Thinkery, head across the street to Mueller Lake Park, an East Austin neighborhood park with unique play structures that are giving very modern designs. The kids can climb and slide in the fenced-in park while you can feed the ducks, take a stroll, or spread out a picnic blanket. Fresh air never looked so good!
6. Live Music at Central Market North Lamar
We all know listening to music can be the optimal self-care activity. Every weekend from Thursday to Saturday, Central Market has live music on the patio, which just so happens to be right next to a great playground (which are all free). Play and tunes - doesn’t get much better than that!
Whether you choose to practice self-care in the great outdoors or a well air-conditioned space, the most important part is that you are practicing at all. World Mental Health Day gives us the perfect reminder that our physical health and mental health are so closely linked, so make sure to prioritize the self-care that can keep you chugging along!
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