Rest, recharge, thrive: Adaptive self-care is a game changer for people with disabilities

RJ Mitte, best known for his role as Walter White Jr in the award-winning American show Breaking Bad, has won hearts all over the world, not just with his performance but also for his honesty about living with cerebral palsy. In interviews, he has often said that his journey has never been about seeking sympathy but about strength, adaptation and self-belief. He has shown the world, time and again, that disability doesn’t define a person. Indian Paralympic gold medalist Avani Lekhara has also shared her journey of adaptation and resilience with her fans. After a fateful accident, Lekhara found purpose through shooting. However, success didn’t come easy. She worked hard, modifying her rifle, her surroundings and life to suit her body’s needs. She proved, that with determination and the right kind of self-care, nothing is impossible.

For individuals with disabilities, self-care isn’t only about relaxation and rejuvenation, it’s about empowerment. It’s about understanding one’s body and listening to it and creating routines that help rest and recharge.

Adaptive self-care means shaping daily habits, tools and environment to suit one’s unique needs. Whether that’s adjusting the way an individual with disability exercises, meditates or just relaxes by the end of the day, is different from one individual to the next. While self-care belongs to everyone, when adapted thoughtfully, it can become a game changer for people with disabilities—helping them live with greater independence, confidence and joy.

So, join us as we explore how individuals with disabilities can rest, recharge and thrive.

Redefine self-care

When we think of self-care, we imagine a set of things that have to be done and ticked off a list. However, self-care can look different for every individual. For some, it may mean gentle exercise or therapy, for others, it can be listening to music, reading or just resting. For individuals with disabilities, self-care often involves adjusting routines or using assistance tools to make daily activities more comfortable and accessible. The key is to let go of rigid ideas of what self-care means or looks like. The goal is to focus on feeling balanced and well-supported.

As Dr Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, author of Calm Within the Storm, states, “Prioritize self-care: Just do the basics. Just do the next right thing for you.” Truly, self-care doesn’t have to be grand, it can start with something as simple as taking a deep breath or even allowing oneself some resting time. When certain practices are adapted to suit personal needs, they become natural additions to one’s everyday life.

Listen to the body’s signals

According to research published in the National Library of Medicine, older adults with disabilities often face complex physical and mental challenges, creating diverse care requirements. For example, elderly with painful joints need grab bars in their bathrooms to stay safe and mobile.

Thus, it is important to have a strong awareness of one’s body and it’s signals when living with a disability. Signs like fatigue, pain or discomfort show that bodily rest or adjustments are needed. Ignoring these signs can lead to exhaustion, worsening symptoms or burnout.

In fact, adaptive self-care encourages individuals to respect their physical and mental cues by taking breaks, stretching or resting. Recognising and responding to the body’s needs promotes strength, balance and wellbeing in the long run.