Self-care is one of the most important tools any therapist or psychologist can have in their bag.
As a mental health provider, you take on the burdens of others daily. Sometimes hourly!
Self-care is your way of making sure those burdens don’t just pile up and up.
Let’s take a look at a few of the ways you can practice self-care so you’re able to be the best provider you can be.
Know Thyself
For some, nothing is more relaxing and restorative than a lively dinner with friends, where the banter and wine are passed around in equal measure.
For others, nothing beats a perfectly quaint night at home, curled up with a good book.
There is no sure-fire act of self-care; you have to know yourself for this to work.
You need to look deep and ask what feelings, experiences, or people truly serve you.
We all have a routine around self-care already, but when was the last time you really looked at that routine?
Often we form these routines during times of hardship. These routines are at least in part created to combat that specific difficulty.
And what happens when we move on or solve that problem is that we’re stuck with a routine that brings us joy, and now is just something we do without thought or reason (even if it’s causing us harm now).
Take the time to have an intentional look at your self-care “routine” and see which things you could remove and which you should add.
Parts of Self
Look at you! You have so many different parts that are all still you.
These parts of self are things like your physical self, spiritual self, and mental self, just to name a few (we have a list of a few examples below).
Sooner or later, each one of those parts of self will need some kind of care and attention.
Here’s a way to do that.
First, break yourself down into your parts of self.
Once you have that, write down what makes them unique, what pains they are experiencing, and what you think they need for self-care.
Then write down what you’re already doing about those pains.
Many of us won’t have a specific thing or routine we do for that part of ourselves. At least, not an intentional one.
With this as a framework, what changes do you need to make to give your parts of self the attention and care they deserve?
Here are a few of the “selves” that exist within us.
- Physical
- Mental
- Spiritual
- Sexual
- Creative
- Social
- Philosophical
- Religious
These are just examples! Only you get to decide what parts of you exist.
This can be a long process, so don’t get down if progress is slow. Many of us won’t be sure what we really need as far as care goes at first.
But starting the process gets us asking the right questions, which, sooner or later, brings us to the right answers.
The Big Stuff
The big stuff consists of those larger life events that can lead to self-care.
These things usually take planning, time, and money.
But, the payoff is usually a big self-care win.
Sometimes the big stuff gives us a good feeling; other times it prevents a bad feeling.
A vacation is an example of a big thing that GIVES a benefit.
On the other hand, healthcare is an example of a big thing that PREVENTS a negative.
Big stuff can differ from person to person, but they take a commitment, so it’s important we’re putting the effort in BEFORE we need it.
The Small Stuff
The small stuff can make a big difference.
We can’t do big things like vacations too often.
But the small stuff, we can do that with very little notice or money.
Healthcare providers are constantly pouring out of themselves to care for others.
You NEED to fill yourself back up, or you won’t be able to pour out anymore good.
The small stuff is our way to add a bunch of wins together, giving us that filled feeling we crave so much.
Small stuff for you will be unique – no two people enjoy the same things in the same way.
But, to get you started, here are a few of the small things you can do that can add up.
- Walks – gets you outside and gets you moving. Both of which are important for those working from home
- Food – the good and the bad. Sometimes we need a little treat to set our minds right. Other times we need healthier food to give our bodies the proper fuel it needs. Be mindful about what you’re eating, but realize when a little dessert can go a long way
- Loved Ones – sometimes, there is just nothing more than we need than some quality time with the people we love. Maybe we want advice or to talk about the world with family. Maybe we want to sit on the couch and watch a movie with our favorite person. Make time for your loved ones. For them, and you.
- Physical Touch – even for people who don’t usually like physical touch, it can cause a lot of pain if you go too long without it. So be aware of how often – or how rarely – you’re able to experience quality physical touches.
- Entertainment – Maybe it’s reading a classic masterpiece. Or perhaps it’s watching a “bad” movie so you can turn off your mind. Whatever you find entertaining is something you should make time for.
This list is just a short example of what small stuff can be good for you.
The biggest problem with the small stuff is that because they’re easy to do, they’re easy not to do.
The important thing is making time for it. Even if you have to put it on your schedule and tell people you’re unavailable for that time, make sure you’re getting the small stuff because it will make a big difference.
Hopefully, these self-care tips will get you curious about what self-care looks like for you.
As long as you continue to pour into yourself, you’ll have so much more capacity to help others and be the best provider (and person) possible.
