Self-Care During Challenging Times
You may be like me and feeling that these changes and challenging times that we are currently facing are taking their toll on your self-care and your mental health.
We have buckled down, and hunkered down. Self-care has fallen to the wayside.
A lack of self-care causes more stress.
Self-care during challenging times is critical. Without it, we can not be resilient. We need to give ourselves permission to do less and to focus on our needs.
To take care of ourself is restorative.
People who focus on self-care are happier and have more stamina to get more accomplished.
Tips For Celebrating Self-Care Awareness Month:
These challenges are taking a toll on our work, our economy, our social lives, and also on our mental health.
Now is the time to be kind to yourself.
Now is the time to focus on what you can do, not what you can’t do.
Look for ways to engage in self-care that works for you.
If you hate yoga, don’t force yourself to workout in an on-line yoga class.
You don’t need the extra pressure, guilt, and challenge.
Self-Care During Challenging Times: Prioritize, Observe, Respond
Self-care is about focusing on your priorities and including yourself in those priorities.
When you find yourself reacting negatively, remember the acronym STOP.
- Stop
- Take a couple of Deep Breaths
- Observe what is happening
- Proceed by recognizing your fears, frustrations, guilt, sadness, hunger, tiredness etc and take an appropriate action by making amends, satisfying the need, diverting, re-energizing, refocusing, or relaxing.
Self-Care During Challenging Times: Pause and Relaxation
Test out a variety of calming techniques.
There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to relaxation, meditation, or mindfulness.
Taking a mini-break will remind you that you’re worth it.
Make a list of 10 self-care activities that resonate with you.
Try to take at least one mini-break a day where you incorporate a self-care activity from your list.
During these challenging times, one of the best things that you can do for your mental health is to pause and take a moment or two to reflect, refocus, relax, and re-energize.
Contact Beverly about hosting a workshop for your team on building resiliency and harnessing your energy. Create a calm and engaged working environment.
If you have some strategies to share – comment on this posting!
Additional Resources:
Mental Health and Resiliency Infographics