SELF CARE
As counselors, we take care of our patients and their families. On top of it, we also take care of our family, co-workers, and community. If we want to take care of everyone around us, it starts with taking care of ourselves as a counselor. I just wanted to share some of the quick self-care activities that you can apply when you have a moment to take care of yourself. Down below, you will also find a pdf that you can utilize (Love coupon for self-care) for yourself or for your clients. I chose to practice self-care:
- Before and after work
- Before and after meeting my patient and families.
- While doing my paperwork and eating my food/ snacks.
- practicing self-care with the patient during the session
- Any other time
MEDITATION AND TAPPING
I was introduced to meditation as a form of way of liberating myself and being super peaceful. I guess I did not think it was that peaceful. I actually got more scared of my thoughts and was opposite of peaceful. After I started practicing headspace, and also going on a retreat of 10 days Vipassana meditation, I found out that meditation is a way of living to practice being more mindful and at peace with yourself. Anyways, I would really recommend these two apps.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.getsomeheadspace.android&hl=en&gl=US
The Tapping Solution on the App Store (apple.com)
MUSIC TO LISTEN
when doing my paperwork: I prefer to really relax and take care of myself when doing my paperwork. So, I don’t take paperwork as stress but as a way to practice mindfulness and relax. You can find youtube videos with frequencies which are waves caused by vibration speed. I usually like to listen to 432 Hz which helps me concentrate and focus.
MEMES
Sometimes, I just like to watch counseling memes, watch it and laugh for a few seconds to recharge myself. You should totally follow counseling memes in instagram. It is hillarious. Some of my favorite ones below.
Counseling Memes (@counseling_memes) • Instagram photos and videos
Good morning, as a fairly new substance abuse counselor, I’m starting to feel overwhelmed, by the rigors of a profession I truly love, I do realize working out. Helped me, with maintaining a great attitude, along with pray, I need to get back to grind of going hard, in terms exercing, a great way to ignite endorphins, I so desperately need daily ,to turn, my clients, will reap benefits of a Rewarding therapeutic sessions in every facets of counseling.
Good morning Mr. Thompson, Welcome to the counseling world. This work does feel overwhelming at times. Probably a lot. But there are a lot of people who need us right now, especially during these rough times. Yes. WORKING OUT and praying is the best way to do it. Those are very powerful tools for us and our clients too. P.S. I love running and swimming, but I also like to add few pushup in between my sessions. 🙂 Thank you for your comment.