WHAT IS "SELF-CARE?"

As students, clinicians, or any working professional, self care is a huge part of what is missing in the life of someone who is busy and stressed. The concept of self care is inherent in the mindful act of paying attention to you. Self care goes a long way in managing stress and living your best life. So, what does it look like to take care of yourself in order to avoid burnout? 

Take Better Care of You:

• Know your limits. It’s okay to have the urge to push yourself to your limit and past your comfort zones, but always be mindful of what can be done to slow yourself down. Your goals can still be achieved, but you will be much more replenished in the long run. Be a marathon runner. 

• Be well-rested. Make a serious effort to rest your body and mind. Nothing can be achieved to the best of your ability without rest. 

• Maintain healthy energy. What you eat should provide you the necessary energy you need to function. Plan ahead to make sure you have adequate nutritional foods throughout your daily diet regime. This means: Complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, essential proteins, and daily multi-vitamins. 

• Find a way to decompress throughout the day. Our brain needs pauses. Sometimes a busy work or school day doesn’t enable us this time, but you can always integrate small breaks to help refresh your mind and body. Always remind yourself to take deep breaths and re-set periodically during long and stressful days. Take a walk, meditate, do what makes you feel decompressed. Find what you enjoy doing and make a serious effort to integrate it into your day or week.

• Have the willpower to change a difficult situation. What can you do to make certain aspects of your life less stressful? Reflect on those times. Are you satisfied with your daily routine? 

• Practice gratitute, inspiration, motivation. Reflection in these aspects of life not only enables you to help get to know yourself better, but it also will give you the time to love yourself and appreciate that you are the only expert of yourself. Ultimately, you know what to do. 

Did you set aside time for yourself today?