Taking Good Care
Happy first Sunday of May 2024. For those who may not know, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It's a time when mental health advocates, organizations, and individuals come together to raise awareness about mental health, fight stigma, provide support, and educate the public about mental illness. It's an important opportunity to start conversations, share resources, and support those who may be struggling with their mental health.
I posted about this last week on my instagram (@therapywithmo). All of this is true, and I came to this realization this week:
We don’t talk enough.
We don’t always challenge the most fragile parts of ourselves, our stories, and relationships that need attention. It is easy to ignore our problems until they are no longer able to be ignored. Because of this, my content theme this month is on taking good care. Not just care, good care, of you and your relationships.
In casual conversations with friends about life and relationships, we often tell each other that we “rebuke the bare minimum!” Not accepting less than we deserve in dating, our careers, in friendships. We are not doing it. I find that we, as people, at times skate by with the bare minimum for ourselves. We take care of ourselves, but are we taking good care? More than the bare minimum. Are we sleeping more than enough? Eating good food or just junk? Drinking too much? Having superficial, barely-scratching the surface connections with others? Maybe we just don’t want to be bothered. We have just enough to give to keep it moving.
And I get it, living in a big and busy city such as New York, we will have those days. And you will too, wherever you are in the world. But are we getting in alignment, back on track, to give ourselves more than the bare minimum?
What gets in the way of not talking enough about what is happening in our worlds? Our life experiences? We often wear an invisible badge of honor of doing a lot, pushing through discomfort, and keeping silent about our pain, struggle, and discomfort. Some will say they do not want to burden others with their troubles, “everyone is going through something.” And this is a perfect opportunity to explore therapy, coaching, and other help/self-improvement resources. We all, myself included, must find and develop community and resources to fall back on.
Relationships. What is happening there for you? I’d like to plug in one of my earlier blog entries here: Are You Watering Your Garden? (click to read). Spring might not be fighting back hard enough, but are you tending to your relationships like a garden? Summer is coming and I want our gardens to shine. Are you pruning, reevaluating your circle, pouring into your friends, partners, family, and children? Or are they only watering you? Relationships are reciprocal and depend on the attuned connection and communication of ALL involved for survival.
Whatever your thing is, your area to address and get back in alignment, I hope you can muster up a healthy dose of accountability and willingness. Healing work is not linear, easy, or always pretty. Taking care of yourself is crucial for your overall well-being.
Here are some essential self-care practices you might find helpful:
Physical Self-care:
Get regular exercise.
Eat a balanced diet.
Get enough sleep.
Take regular breaks from work.
Emotional Self-care:
Practice mindfulness and meditation.
Express your feelings and emotions.
Spend time with loved ones.
Engage in activities that bring you joy.
Mental Self-care:
Engage in activities that stimulate your mind.
Practice stress management techniques.
Set realistic goals and priorities.
Social Self-care:
Surround yourself with supportive and positive people.
Spend time with friends and family.
Join groups or clubs with shared interests.
Spiritual Self-care:
Practice gratitude.
Spend time in nature.
Engage in activities that nurture your spirit or soul, such as meditation, prayer, or reflection.
Professional Self-care:
Set boundaries between work and personal life.
Take regular breaks during work.
Delegate tasks when possible.
Remember, self-care is not selfish; it's necessary for your well-being. I wish you well on your journey. Don’t forget to not only take care, you deserve to take good care of yourself and those around you.
Have a great week!
Disclaimer:
The intention for using social media for social workers and other mental health professionals is for marketing, education, advocacy, thought leadership, and providing content in a technologically changing field. We want to do this while making potential therapy-seekers aware of the risks and benefits of engagement on social media and Internet where mental health professionals are present. A therapeutic relationship is a professional relationship and in today's technological climate, a social media presence or following your therapist on social media is not to be confused with a relationship outside of therapy. Ethical, professional, and therapeutic boundaries must be followed and honored.
A counseling social media page or blog is not psychotherapy, a replacement for a therapeutic relationship, or substitute for mental health and medical care. A social media presence as a counseling professional is not seeking an endorsement, request, or rating from past or current clients. No social media posts or blog should be considered professional advice. The information contained in posts is general information for educational purposes only.
Be mindful of sharing personal details or details or others if you choose to comment.
Please consult your physician or mental health provider regarding advice or support for your health and wellbeing.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a medical and/or psychiatric mental health crisis and requires assistance, please call 911 emergency services.
988- National Suicide Prevention Hotline (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Safe Horizon 24-hour Hotlines (se habla español):
Domestic violence victims: 800-621-HOPE (4673)
Victims of crime and their families: 866-689-HELP (4357)