As the affects of the COVID-19 Pandemic continue, many of us have taken the opportunity to reflect on the things (and people) that are most important to us. And more of us have come to understand the importance of self-care and how it affects our overall well-being. In fact, September is recognized as the month of self-care.
Self-care can be an effective tool for reducing stress and taking care of your emotional and physical health. There are some tale tell signs that it might be time for a self-care reset. Signs that it might be time to focus on your own well-being include:
- Low energy
- Trouble sleeping
- Headaches
- Moodiness and withdrawal from social situations
- Brain fog
For some, the idea of self-care is a fancy spa weekend with all sorts of luxurious pampering, for others it can be as simple as taking some time alone to curl up and read the book that has been on your nightstand for a while. There is no right or wrong way when it comes to practicing self-care. You have to find what works best for you! Here are some ideas to help you on your way:
- Enjoy some peaceful time watching a sunrise or sunset
- Listen to some soothing music
- Go for a walk, run or bike ride
- Treat yourself to your favorite meal
- Make some time to see family or friends
- Spend some quality time with your pets
Needing to take a step back and focus on yourself is sometimes easier said than done. But, consider this, if we don’t take time for ourselves, we cannot effectively take care of those around us (whether they are patients, residents, or loved ones). Life can get busy so if you need the reminder to take a little time for yourself try adding it to your calendar, make it sound like a fun activity rather than forced time. Not sure how to do that? Try putting an event in your phone calendar or planner #selfcaresaturday or #selfcaresunday. This will help encourage you to take a little time on the weekend just for you!
At Notre Dame Health Care, we believe in the value of self-care not only for the loved ones of our residents and patients but for our staff as well. We encourage you all to take some time for yourself!