by Erlene Grise-Owens, EdD, LCSW, MSW, MRE, lead co-editor of The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals
I’ve been asking of us, “What have you ever realized about self-care throughout COVID that you just need to proceed?” Responses are each deeply reflective and profoundly pragmatic. I synthesized a spread of responses into complementary themes. What would you add?
Gradual Down
It appears counterintuitive in instances of crises to slow down. However, that theme is prevalent.
Tammy found, “Believing life must be busy, and feeling overwhelmed wasn’t LIVING. I spotted I used to be avoiding feeling. With COVID slowing life down, I had time to take a seat with my emotions, previous trauma, and unresolved grief. I used to be pressured to face it, really feel it, undergo it, and heal a few of what I’d suppressed by way of busyness and avoidance.” Likewise, Mindy realized, “Down-time is invaluable to our well-being. In down-time, I can relaxation and mirror.”
Slowing down is an built-in observe: Respiration, grounding, pausing…. For instance, Abbie stated she is going to proceed “laying in my hammock between remedy classes.” Doing telehealth, Toya began mindfully washing her palms after classes and advising purchasers to take action, as a refreshing, releasing ritual.
What’s one particular step you’ll be able to take to decelerate?
Maintain it Easy
Slowing down intersects with one other theme of preserving it easy. For a lot of, self-care included resurfacing earlier hobbies and artistic shops or initiating new ones. Some, like Marsha and Gerricha, get pleasure from crafting. Others, like Lauren and Jeff, recognized “studying extra” as a COVID coping to proceed. Donna’s favourite self-care is “taking part in music with household.” Virginia “listens to oldies, turning up the quantity and dancing!”
In a shout-out to canines, Nick stated “laughing at speaking canines on Tik-Tok” is a favourite stress launch. Others, resembling Lynetta, embrace canine strolling, “as in, the canine is sick of all this strolling.” With or with out canine companionship, strolling is a typical coping technique. Connecting with nature—e.g., gardening or tenting—is one other widespread technique. Throughout COVID, easy pleasures and actions took on new that means, which is critical for ongoing self-care.
What’s one particular method you’ll be able to preserve it easy?
Prioritize Your Values
Nicole stated, “Throughout COVID, routine was my savior and controlling what I may management. In fact, that comes with a warning about selecting what to manage.” Nicole’s lesson underscores the significance of clarifying and prioritizing values. For example, Pearl discovered, “COVID introduced a brand new perspective. I get pleasure from life extra now. I’m freer from false commitments (skilled and private). I weeded my relationship garden to make room for recent progress. I’m letting go of people that don’t appear to worth me and aligning with some new superb people.” Likewise, Cortney stated, “The most important change was growing a more healthy relationship with myself, which additionally modifications how I permit others to deal with me.”
Laura famous, “Sedentary Zoom conferences grew to become problematic; I realized to take motion breaks. And, WFH can result in working continually; balancing commitments and setting boundaries [are] important [skills].” As Tonya summarized, “I’ve to constantly work on not overcommitting to others and neglecting myself.”
Mariah shared, “COVID taught me our youngsters don’t must be so busy! Household time at residence is definitely more healthy for all of us. I used to be reminded I actually get pleasure from my household. I’ve modified my work schedule to prioritize that.” Equally, Michelle stated she’ll proceed “FaceTime household gatherings” to remain linked. Ashley remarked, “Earlier than COVID, I mindlessly bounced from one factor to a different. Since COVID, I plan extra deliberately. My son and I’ve extra time with family members and unstructured residence time. we’re not so over-scheduled.”
Larry recognized “having a snug and satisfying home-space” as a key COVID takeaway. Yvonne exclaimed, “Elastic (i.e., comfortable garments)!” Kathy emphasised that COVID reminded her to prioritize primary well being commitments.
Establish three belongings you worth. Contemplate your commitments this week. What particular methods are you able to prioritize your values?
Self-Care and Systemic Change Are Interconnected
COVID is a shared disaster, and each disaster holds alternatives. Like bigger techniques change, profound self-care modifications are generally precipitated throughout difficult circumstances. Actually, I—like many—hope this COVID disaster compels systemic modifications.
And, I’m grateful this time additionally generates extra severe consideration to self-care. Examples, resembling these shared above, convey and reinforce the potential for deepening self-care commitments. And, in fractal ways, these micro-changes gas systemic change and collective well-being.
Peace, Love, & Self-Care, Erlene
Dr. Erlene Grise-Owens, EdD, LCSW, MSW, MRE, is a Accomplice in The Wellness Group, ETC. This LLC supplies analysis, coaching, and session for organizational wellness and practitioner well-being. Dr. Grise-Owens is lead editor of The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Staff and Different Serving to Professionals. As a former school member and graduate program director, she and a small (however mighty!) group of colleagues applied an initiative to advertise self-care as a part of the social work schooling curriculum. Beforehand, she served in scientific and administrative roles. She has expertise with navigating toxicity and dysfunction, up-close and private! Likewise, as an educator, she noticed college students enter the sphere and shortly burn out. As a devoted social employee, she believes the well-being of practitioners is a matter of social justice and human rights. Thus, she is on a mission to advertise self-care and wellness!
