We often unquestioningly give much of ourselves to our work and family. When you give and give until the tank is empty, when do we realize that it is time to stop and re-fuel? And when do we actually replenish ourselves? Like so many out there, I felt I just didn’t have the luxury of time to do this.
My recovery has been a humbling experience. My main learning point from my ongoing journey of healing is this: Do not deny the need to care for yourself. Make sure your tank is at least half-full. Don’t ignore the fuel gauge light when it illuminates. What we need to realise is that self-care in itself is a compassionate act. Kindness is not just something we give out to others. We deserve to receive it too, but from ourselves first of all.
In paediatrics, we often deliver messages to the carers of children about the importance of ‘little-and-often’ when rehydrating children suffering from fluid losses such as vomiting and diarrhoea. When you start to re-hydrate a child, it is a slow and gradual process rather than forcing them to guzzle litres. Similarly, many of the techniques which are the backbone of mental illness therapy are immensely protective of our mental health when used as part of our day to day life. I like to call it my mental garden maintenance. It is the cumulative effect of these small and frequent actions that have longer-term beneficial impacts. So here are some of my little-and-often tips to self-care:
1. Allocate time for yourself
Setting time aside in the short-term creates more time in the long-term.
2. Listen to your body
The gateway to your emotions is your physical state. Don’t ignore feelings of something being ‘not quite right’.
3. Ask and listen to yourself
What do you actually need? How can you provide this for yourself?
I am dedicated to supporting those facing burnout and stress, and have set up a wellbeing retreat called . I extend my hand to those who resonate with what I have written. Be well. Be motivated. Be motivated to self-care.