Can I get all counselor-y for a minute? Okay.
A theme of several of my classes, particularly Intro to Counseling, is the practice of self-care as a counselor. Counselors who do not practice self-care will experience a range of issues as a result of the high stress of the job of a counselor (translation: listening to people’s problems every day can be demanding). One of the challenges a counselor, particularly a new counselor, can face is burn-out. To avoid these potential dangers, a counselor must learn to exercise self-care.
One of my most recent assignments was to read an article on self-care and write a reaction. Since everyone can benefit from self-care practices, I want to encourage those of you who have put yourselves on the back burner in favor of whatever else: jobs, families, etc. Anyone can experience burn-out. The best moms, wives, employees, friends, etc. are the ones who aren’t completely overworked and exhausted, but instead balance putting others first with taking time for themselves. Here are some excerpts from my reflection:
My personal practice of self-care is in need of some attention. While my intentions are good, I lack the time in which to perform my self-care regime. I started the graduate program three weeks ago, with the plan to move my job to part-time once school began. For reasons out of my control, that has not happened, and I am still working full-time (40+ hours per week) as well as taking four graduate level courses. Self-care is more crucial to my life now than it has ever been before, and yet, this time is when I have the least amount of opportunity to execute self-care techniques.
My preferred forms of self-care are as follows: writing (journaling and blogging), exercise (running), and reflection (quiet time, meditation, and prayer). I have scheduled time for each of these practices multiple times per week; however, when my schedule gets crazy, those things are the first to get moved in lieu of more pressing items.
It is my goal that in the next few weeks, as I begin to adjust to this new schedule and hopefully hit a stride, I am able to set aside time each day for one or two of these forms of self-care. It is my goal to write for about an hour three days per week, run half an hour four days per week, and have quiet time every day for half an hour. I believe that, through much discipline and organization, this goal can be actualized.
Through a previous counselor, personal experience, and the assigned article, I realize that self-care practices are imperative for obtaining mental health and mindfulness. Therefore, I am going to do everything in my power to take the time for what I need. Self-care practices benefit not only myself, but also others around me, including those I intend to help through my profession.
I know how hard it is to find time to set aside for yourself. I’m living it right now. But I also know that, for my mental and physical health, I have to find the time. I’m following a tight schedule, while being gentle on myself if I don’t get everything done, remembering that I am doing so much right now. However, when I’m busy, time for myself is the first thing to get taken off the schedule. Self-care cannot get pushed to the back burner. If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone else effectively.
What are your favorite methods of self-care? What are some of the excuses you must get over in order to practice self-care?
Sometimes going for a long run, heading to bed 30 minutes earlier than planned, or setting aside half an hour to scribble in a journal and have a hot cup of tea can make all the difference in your day (or week).
Comments on On self-care.
From AshleyD:
I love this post, Lauren! You’re so right- it can be draining listening to people talk all day, especially because it’s your job to be engaged and provide support. My self-care habits have improved so much over the past few years with practice, but it’s still a daily struggle to find the time. Some of a my favorites are heading to the gym RIGHT after work, taking a bath, reading before bed.
From San:
I can so much relate to this post, Lauren. Self-care should be a top-priority, but gets pushed back so often when times are demanding. But how are we supposed to help and take care others, if we don’t take care of ourselves first?
It’s definitely a balancing act, but being aware of the importance of self-care is a first step in the right direction!
From Manderz:
Self-care has never been a high enough priority for me. But I’m slowly fitting it into my life – taking yoga and pilates classes and making sure I get out to spend time in nature. It’s just a matter of shifting my priorities, like spending less time online.
From SP:
My two favorite practices for self-care are sketching and yoga. As far as the sketching I can be too critical on myself. I feel like I must be producing art but the more I let go of that notion, the more I enjoy myself and experience an escape from daily stress. I also tend to get too caught up in the how and when. I’m learning over time the best way to self-care is to just do. Don’t over-plan and over-think, just do.
From Holly:
I don’t have a lot of time for “self care” what with working full-time, going to school part-time, being a wife and mom – I really need to make it more of a priority. I try to write once or twice a week, and I take one evening for girly things like nail painting and a bubble bath with a book :D
From Julie:
I like it. (your post that is). C.S. Lewis has this illustration that he uses in one of his books in which he is talking about people as an armada of ships. He talks about how we as people (he was specifically talking about people in the church but you can apply the illustration to any group of ppl) obviously shouldn’t run into other ships or let other ships run into other ships b/c that is damaging to the whole armada; however, he also points out that it is important that your own ship doesn’t implode on itself b/c that is also damaging to the armada.
Yeah so you don’t want to damage other people and you don’t want other people damaging each other, but if you are damaged yourself you are damaging the other people in the armada without realizing it. They are down one ship if you don’t care for it. So don’t ignore taking care of your own ship!!
P.S. I LOVE the teapot in your picture. Where did you get that beautiful thing?
From Nicole:
I’m so glad you wrote this. We’ve been facing some similar self-care depravation issues here in the Ville. Quite a few of us, in fact, all got sick at the same time. We were studying Exodus at the time, so it’s like God was saying “SABBATH NOW” kinda like George’s “SERENITY NOW”.
Writing is my self-care because it helps to make sense of the madness. I actually joined a writers’ group last week and am starting to work past those blocks from the last couple of years.
Also, Futurama and sweet red wine and maybe not wearing pants are also my self-care. I did happen to engage in said self-care this past weekend {sans the pantless part}, and it really did fill up a part of me that had long since run dry.
Thanks for sharing! Love and miss you!
From Amanda:
I need to be much better about this!
From Sarah:
Haha wow, you must have read my mind. I had half a blog post already typed up about this, but I think you said it much better!
From Honeycutt:
i have the opposite problem. just recently i got burned out on myself and think i need to do some more others-care.
are cookie pants on your list of self-care?
From Michelle:
My self care is giving myself pedicures and manicures; going out for coffee with friends. I also started crafting and soon enough I’ll be starting to make Christmas cards.