holistic self-care : finding balance in our life and work · “life is too short to spend time...

Holistic Self-Care: finding balance in our life and work Elena Torres, Counselor/Confidential Advisor Camilla Sutton, Assistant Director, Residence Life

Welcome & Introductions

• About us

• Why talk about this? • Why are you here?

Outline

• Self-Care assessment • Definition of holistic self-care • Benefits of self-care • Various aspects of self-care • Creating a holistic Self-Care Plan

Self-Care Assessment

• Review of form

• No right or wrong answers

• Share insights

• “When you…discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.” ~ Jean Shinoda Bolen, (psychiatrist and author)

• Oprah Winfrey: Take Care of Yourself https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfLGR0KYuys

Holistic Self-Care • How high a value to we place on taking care of

ourselves? • Can we shift priorities in order to meet our own

self-care needs?

• Holistic self-care involves exploring areas out of balance in our life and finding ways to nurture ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and relationally.

Benefits of Self-Care • Validate/Honor our worth = enhanced confidence and self-

esteem. • Feel alive and whole = able to function at our best. • Renew/Restore our energy = energy reserves to weather

unforeseen challenges more easily. • More loving and gentle toward ourselves = helps us to be more present and calm in order to respond wisely, intuitively, and effectively in any circumstance.

Benefits of Self-Care, Cont. • Own our personal power = we realize our potential; the

more self-accepting we become, the more self-assured we are.

• More loving and playful = makes us better friends, partners, and parents and more fun to be around!

Nurturing the Soul of Your Family: 10 Ways to Reconnect and Find Peace in Everyday Life by Renee Peterson Trudeau

Physical Self-Care

• Exercise or walk 3 times/week for at least 30 minutes • Think positive thoughts about your self and your body • Seek regular medical care for prevention • Hydrate - drink one extra glass of water a day • Eat healthy – try one extra piece of fruit a day • Spend time with pets (unconditional

love) • Take long baths

Mental/Psychological Self-Care Looks at your resiliency – your ability to deal with tough situations in life.

• Be aware of your own thoughts, beliefs & opinions • Focus on your strengths • Learn to say, “no”

• Go to counseling or join a support group

• Learn to play again Have fun! Laugh!

Emotional Self-Care

Includes the way you feel about yourself and your ability to express your emotions

• Give yourself affirmation • Allow yourself to feel your feelings • Find a hobby that you love • Practice forgiveness • Love yourself

“Love yourself first, and everything else falls in line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” ~ Lucille Ball

Spiritual Self-Care • Find a spiritual connection or community • Read or listen to something inspirational • Find time to sing or dance • Volunteer for a cause

• Spend time in nature • Aromatherapy • Meditation • Journal

Relationship Self-Care • Nurture meaningful relationships

• Communicate deeply with someone you trust

• Set clear boundaries

• Ask for what you need & be willing to receive

• Gently detach from people who are toxic

“Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you.” ~ Steve Maraboli, author of Life, the Truth & Being Free

Professional Self-Care

• Take vacation and utilize sick time as needed • Seek professional development opportunities • Arrange work space to be comfortable • Get regular supervision or consultation • Have a mentor or peer support group • Negotiate/advocate for your needs • Take a break/lunch during the day • Leave work at work

Creating a Self-Care Plan

• Identify realistic activity you are willing to incorporate in each area of self-care

• Get with a colleague to discuss how you will implement them

“Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don’t.” ~ Steve Maraboli

Questions

Self-Care Exercise

Camilla Sutton, MEd Assistant Director UHV Residence Life 361-485-4402 SuttonCD@uhv.edu

Elena Torres, LCSW, Counselor/ Confidential Advisor UHV Counseling, Health & Wellness 361-570-4135 TorresEM@uhv.edu

Contact Information