Self-Care Is Not Selfish!
By Ilene Glance, LMHC, NCC,CCMHC
The saying goes, April showers bring May flowers. Everything seems so crisp and clean. Spring is a time for reflection and self-care. We often forget that we spend so much time with work, school, holidays and family, that when we finally get to April, it sometimes feels as if you cannot see a day off in your future. This is why self-care is so important.
Do you actively take time spending 15 minutes a day to focus on yourself? This little act of giving yourself time is important in for our mind, body and spirit. If someone you know was looking tired or worn out, what would you say to them? It is ok to give yourself the same compassion, Brené Brown says, “Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love," this little gesture is so easy yet it’s so hard to do.
I always think of self-care as a boundary I am placing on myself as well as those that are in my life. It is not selfish to take the time to relax, rejuvenate and recuperate. Think of it this way; If your cell phone battery was at 10%, would you recharge it? If the answer is yes, then why is it so hard for us to give ourselves the grace to recharge our internal batteries?
Here are some helpful tips for “Self-Care” to add to your day:
Find a Therapist we have a list of great therapists on our PU4P.org website
Journaling
Plan a staycation/vacation
Go for a long walk with a friend or a 4-legged friend
Plant seeds or bulbs and create a small garden
“Unplug and Relax” from the internet and social media
Read a book
Watch a movie
Spend time in nature
Go have that coffee/lunch date with a friend you haven’t seen in a while
We can create a peace within us that will allow for us to live in the world that is there. Don’t let your internal battery fizzle out.
“If you can’t ask for help without self-judgment, you cannot offer help without judging others.”-Brené Brown
If you should find yourself or someone you know in immediate crisis or need for help, dial 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Some other resources for immediate crisis support include:
211 – In Florida, and many areas, most counties will have a dedicated 211 resource hotline. Dial 211 from your phone to be connected to your local 211 branch. This may depend on where you’re calling from if it’s from your Cell Phone.
Crisis Text Line – Text any word (Help, Talk, etc.) to 741741 to be connected via text to a trained crisis counselor.
Paational Suicide Prevention Hotline – Until the 3-digit hotline number is active later in 2022, the original number will still be the one to use – 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).P al. al. al a Our Mission “Professionals United for Parkland was created to identify and meet the short and long-term needs related to mental health/well-being of the South Florida community in the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy through evidence-based services including education for the general community and professionals, clinical training, clinical services, support for clinicians, and more. We work alongside other local organizations and groups to ensure that we identify gaps in current services and that the needs of our community are being adequately addressed. We are entirely non-political.
Professionals United For Parkland Honors the 17
Professionals United for Parkland remembers Helena Ramsay. The Helena Ramsay Soaring Leader Scholarship was created to celebrate her vision for a better global society. Helena was very aware if the challenges faced in communities across the globe, such as inequality and discrimination, and had an appreciation for other cultures.
To learn more: https://www.gofundme.com/f/helena-ramsay-msd-memorial-fund
PU4P Updates Interested in joining our trauma trained therapists (licensed only) - please take a few moments of your time and join the PU4P referral directory. The MSD community will need services for the long run. PU4P links those in need with a vetted list of trauma therapists. We ask for a commitment of 2 pro-bono clients a year. For more information or questions, please contact info@pu4p.org. Please support PU4P by designating it as your charity with The AmazonSmile Foundation. They will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible smile.amazon.com purchases. Don't forget to check our Facebook page for the most current events, updates, and information about PU4P! Thank you for your support of PU4P and your dedication to the Parkland community.