Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” – John Muir
As a mother, a therapist, a partner, how good am I to any one if I am not taking care of myself? Not so good at all. Those of us in the helping professions (or roles that give out a lot of nurturing energy) especially need to take a pause and focus on replenishment and self-care. When our cup is not topped off, we run on fumes. And that’s not helpful to anyone, least of all our selves.
This fall has been a convergence of stress for so many. I know for myself, as a therapist, so many of my clients are triggered by events in the news which shake trauma survivors to the core. Even if heated political circumstances were not bubbling up and impacting one’s sense of personal safety, the usual stress of holidays is upon those who celebrate the typical Western holidays running between Halloween on through Valentine’s Day. Time crunches, financial constraints, juggle dance of work and family life. Throw in a loss or trauma, upsetting news of ongoing shooting violence, hate crimes, and the scales of balance are tipped and lopsided to overwhelm for many.
So what can be done to keep that life raft at the ready?
[For more on this story by Andrea Schneider, MSW, LCSW, go to https://blogs.psychcentral.com...during-trying-times/]
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