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Not only is self-care critical for the wellbeing of you as the therapist, counsellor, or psychologist, it also has positive outcomes for your clients. After all, what client wants to see a therapist that is tired and uninspired?
The good news is that self care does not have to be grand sweeping. It can be - if you want to book a holiday by the sea. However, often when that happens, we find that when we stop, sheer exhaustion will kick in and you may get sick whilst on holidays – when you stop you drop!
Sure book your holiday and have something to work towards, something to look forward to. However, let’s look at ways you can look after yourself in the moments, minutes, hours, days and weeks before your holiday. So when you do show up to your holiday you are in good shape and not crawling to the finish line, worn out and exhausted.
Be mindful of the balance in your life – look at how you nourish your mind and body, your emotions, how you engage with others (social) and how you nurture your spirituality. All areas of your life must ideally receive adequate attention to be balanced. Otherwise, to use a metaphor, it could be like having the spokes on a wagon wheel, with some parts missing and therefore unstable.
Ensure you have healthy boundaries – in your life, personal relationships and with your clients.
Do something, or schedule in something that brings you joy - Perhaps it is a dance class, playing with your children or grandchildren or doing a creative activity.
Stay connected - Being part of a community can help you develop a healthy relationship between yourself and others. Perhaps you might have a group of peers where you can meet up weekly, fortnightly or monthly to do something that brings you joy. Personally, I have joined a local social group of likeminded women and we have done things like a sunrise ocean swim, beach meditation and yoga, breath work and ice baths. Doing this with a group made it easier to get out of bed and actually do it.
Listen to your intuition – What do you need right now. Perhaps give yourself permission to be spontaneous.
So this list of possible things you can do for yourself is not onerous, it is doable huh? So why don’t we do it?
Do you tell yourself that you don’t have the time, finances, or other resources?
Do you feel that taking time out is a luxury or that your needs are not as important as others?
You are important and you do matter!! Self care is not negotiable. So why not join us at our upcoming Replenish Retreat for Therapists, being held at St Josephs at Kincumber on the Central Coast from 19-21 May 2023. An opportunity for you to nurture, nourish and replenish your mind, body and spirit.