Mar 25, 2020
Barb Green, Parish Nurse
Milton, WI
January has come and gone but it is not too late to think about changes you might need to make in your life. One of the most important resolutions you can make is to practice self care. Self care is the practice of taking deliberate action to preserve or protect your own health: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. It is the key to balanced living and helps refuel your life when you feel you are traveling on empty. It means knowing who you are and your limits.
Self care is not selfish, something you force yourself to do or something you don’t enjoy. It means being mindful and taking the time to pay attention to yourself in a way that ensures you are being cared for by you.
This may sound wonderful but how do you know that you are in need of self care? If you are feeling some of the following symptoms, you may be neglecting self care:
• Low energy
• Feeling hopeless
• Increase in physical symptoms such as
headaches, stomach aches, etc.
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Reverting to comfort foods rather than a healthy diet
• Worsening mental health symptoms, i.e. anxiety
• Difficulty concentrating
• Distancing in relationships with spouse, children, friends
• Lack of motivation
• Feeling you are indispensable or a martyr
• Feeling like you are losing control
We all should have ways of focusing on refueling when we feel burned out. Some suggestions include:
• Keep a gratitude list. Every day write down something you are thankful for.
• Listen to upbeat or relaxing music.
• Take 5 minutes to sit and put your feet up.
• Walk during your lunch break; exercise daily.
• Turn off your phone for 30 minutes.
• Learn to deep breathe when feeling stressed.
• Unfollow a person on social media who is
negative.
• Say “no” to others and “yes” to your self care; create a “no” list.
• Spend time with loved ones; schedule a night out with friends or your spouse.
• Look for opportunities to laugh.
• Pray—caregivers say prayer is the top coping mechanism they use.
• Do whatever helps you relax and pay attention to your needs
The Biblical view of health is summed up by the word “blessed.” God’s purpose for your life is a positive self image which you can maintain by practicing self care. Spiritual well being can increase life span, decrease blood pressure, increase surgical outcomes, bring about shorter hospital stays, and improve mental health and overall well-being. In 2020, set aside time to concentrate on you and your needs. You can’t help others if you are not healthy.