Find Your Fit?
By Genene Kimber-Zinger
The buzz word for the past couple years has been ‘self care’, which is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as:
“The practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health, or the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.” (After COVID, self care is more important than ever).
It can be helpful to look at these areas: mental, emotional, physical, environmental, spiritual, recreational, and social to determine what areas need more focus during moments of stress. A well-balanced self-care routine involves each of these, and if you find one area is lacking it can unbalance the rest. The body naturally gravitates towards homeostasis, which is balance.
Genene Kimber-Zinger, is an Addictions Counsellor working as a CARE Team (Community Assisted Response Team) Support Worker at Canadian Mental Health Association, Alberta Southeast Region and can be reached at 403-504-1811 ex. 108. To find out more about CMHA programs and/or events visit http://www.cmha-aser.ca
The benefits of self care are touted as life changing. The emphasis on you to experience these benefits or if not, there must be something wrong with you (which may not be accurate for everyone and does not have to be). Journaling is great for the soul, meditation slows down the mind, yoga brings a ‘zen like’ peace to the body, breathwork will calm the body, and mindfulness can bring a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment. These skills all work synchronously in assistance to the individual practicing these in helping to acknowledge and accept one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.
Many people struggle with self care due to circumstances beyond their control. Struggles in areas, such as finances, food insecurity, relationships, or all encompassing “mental health” can all drain a person of their self worth and their ability to provide this care for themselves. It’s hard to practice breathwork when your stomach is tied up in knots or close your eyes to meditate when you don’t feel safe.
If this resonated with you, remember this: Use what works for yourself and if something does not work for you, you don’t have to use it, and that is okay! Find what self care skills that work for you. A therapist can recommend all the above strategies, but it must work for you. So, I would urge you to keep trying, and through trial and error, find that perfect “fit” for you.
Self care does not have to cost anything or take a large volume of your time. Perhaps it may look like going for a walk, cooking a meal, taking a bath, taking a nap, or catching up with a friend. There are many podcasts available on platforms such as Spotify, which support healthy coping skills and self care tips to support your journey and again…”Find Your Fit”