It's not uncommon as a Counselor to have someone walk into your office who is feeling outrageously overwhelmed. The person often rattles off an endless list of stressors. My first question in these instances is, "When is the last time you did something to look after yourself?" (Cue uncontrollable sobbing.) If you are picturing only one gender, a particular culture, or a specific location, think again. People who do not refuel their own tank cannot be of help to themselves, let alone others. Self-care is often the first thing to go as someone starts to fall apart at the seams. I will remind you regularly to get back to looking after yourself, especially if your role in life involves caring for others.
I'm going to provide reminders for maintaining self-care keeping PIES in mind. I'll end with tips specific to certain groups of people based on how they can sneak in self-care. Keep in mind that if you fit one group and like the suggestion from another, that's not a problem. The key is to find a variety of go-to options throughout the week. Practice self-care regularly.
I'm going to provide reminders for maintaining self-care keeping PIES in mind. I'll end with tips specific to certain groups of people based on how they can sneak in self-care. Keep in mind that if you fit one group and like the suggestion from another, that's not a problem. The key is to find a variety of go-to options throughout the week. Practice self-care regularly.
Examples of Self-Care
 |  |
| Physical
 Emotional
 | Intellectual
 Social
|
Ways to sneak in self-care
Stay-at-home partner
- Take time to practice self-care while your partner is at work
- Create your own routine, not one built solely around caring for others
Full-time worker with kids
- Practice self-care while at work, on the way home, or after kids are in bed
- Have one evening where you go on your own to practice self-care/ one evening where your partner goes
Workaholic (Teachers, I'm talking to you!)
- Use your time wisely at work
- Take breaks at work where you practice self-care
- Use all of your vacation days for relaxing
- Take a sick day when you are sick
- Set a reasonable time each night to unplug from all work related activity
- Use weekends to recharge
Single parent
- Create a buddy system with another family or two where you have kids one evening a month and they have them on a different night
- Ask for support when you need a break
- Remind yourself that people often want to help but are not sure how to approach you
- Use time after kids go to bed or before they get up to recharge your batteries
- Teach kids to help around the house and to be more self-sufficient
Struggling with mental health
- Get a physical to rule out health issues, like a thyroid problem or diabetes
- Take prescribed medication and be in regular contact with your doctor
- Seek counseling and continue to go when you start feeling better
- Remind yourself that medication and therapy are tools for maintaining balance
- Create a support system while feeling well to encourage you to practice self-care when you are low
- Establish a weekly routine for self-care with a variety of options per day, including easier options
Self-care is a topic I cannot stress enough. Somehow we convince ourselves we can go and go and go without refueling. Take time for yourself. You are worth it! If you have helpful self-care practices or ways in which you manage to sneak self-care into your day, please share. We're all in this together.
Photos are mine.
1- Tokyo, 2010
2- Hidden Hanoi cooking class, Hanoi, 2010
3&4- Bali, 2010
5-The Can-Cans in Tokyo, 2010
1- Tokyo, 2010
2- Hidden Hanoi cooking class, Hanoi, 2010
3&4- Bali, 2010
5-The Can-Cans in Tokyo, 2010
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