The concept of self-care tends to be lost on many people today. We find several reasons to avoid taking the time to care for our own needs, however managing our personal needs remains imperative to healthy daily functioning. For many, the thought of doing something for oneself seems like an impossible luxury. Oftentimes this impacts people who are caretakers, whether of small children or of adults who are aging or have disabilities, however it is quite a consistent issue among most.
In my therapy sessions, one of the most frequent questions I ask my clients is, “What have you done this week for yourself?” This question can be frustrating for many people. Sometimes, I receive answers like, “For myself? I did good just to eat in between my kid’s nap and diaper changes!” or “My family member needed a break more than I did so between work and helping them I had no time.” The reality is that finding time to do some self-care can seem like a massive obstacle in light of all of the other responsibilities that demand our attention. This fact can be appreciated, but I always caution clients to not allow it to be a hindrance to developing a self-care plan.
In order to be the best spouse, parent, employee, etc. that we can be, we have to take proper care of ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally. When we experience health in all of these areas, we are much better at managing our responsibilities. All too often our mindset is focused on accomplishing the never-ending list of tasks before we even think of taking a break. In speaking with a friend recently, I learned about a practice that his company has in place to help with mental well being while at work. The employees will work with purpose and direction for an hour and then will have the opportunity to take a 30-minute break before getting back to the grind. In this conversation I learned that several other large companies are implementing this sort of model. Why would some of Houston’s largest companies ascribe to this practice if it didn’t improve overall productivity and health of the employees?
That being said, taking the time in the day that we need to regroup and decompress gives us the necessary space to continue moving along with our day. Take a look at your daily routine, are there any moments throughout that you could spare 15-30 minutes to just give your brain and body a break? There are many tasks that can be beneficial in that sort of time span to positively impact your overall health. For example: journaling, meditating (there’s an app for that), praying, stretching, yoga, dancing, grabbing a coffee, sitting in the sunshine, etc. The possibilities are endless! This post only scratches the surface of what self-care should look like. Below is a link to another helpful article to continue growing your understanding of what taking care of yourself can and should be.
Kaitlyn Thompson is a Licensed Social Worker and Psychotherapist in the Houston area. She specializes in treating trauma and working with couples. She also has had experience working with at-risk students in schools, refugees and crime victims. Additionally, Kaitlyn is a youth leader at her church in Pearland and loves to work with teenagers.
