Self Care

SELF CARE

This year has started off with a bang, with the likes of what we have never really imagined. Disbelief, denial, frustration, anger, inconvenience, stress, anxiety, depression, are just some of the emotions people are feeling, and many come and go in waves, as is the nature of the unknown and stress. 

During times like this, self care is SO important! Taking time to do something you enjoy, or to simply deep breathe and relax for several minutes can make a big difference in how you feel, and how you sleep. 

Working from home, having kids home 24/7-regardless of age, (toddlers to college age) has had an impact on everyone one in one way or another, positive and negative. It is so important to step away if for just 30 min to go for a walk even if just around the block, take your shoes off and ground yourself, literally in the grass.-every day. Caring for others is all the more difficult when we don’t care for ourselves-a flaw of most women.  Try meditation…

I teach meditation to my nursing students, and how important this is to not just mental health but physical health as well. Usually when we think of meditation we think sitting cross legged for way to long of a time with the impossible task of emptying our mind-impossible for some, Me included!  However, meditation is any process that relaxes the body, mind and soul. My personal favorite form is called Shake and Dance (far from sitting and ‘Ohmming’), other forms are through journaling, drawing, walking in nature.  Dr Jim Gordon, MD is a phycologist whose life work is helping others heal from trauma in communities around the world. The Center for Mind Body Medicine is an excellent resource for self care and meditation, classes and  webinars. I encourage you to check it out. During this time is exceptionally high stress he has offered several free webinars. Attached is a sample of various meditations for you to try, from Dr Gordon and Center for Mind Body Medicine. I suggest doing meditation several times a week. Cut and paste the link below into your web browser.

 If you are having trouble relaxing, sleeping or feeling an overwhelming burden from stress, please do not hesitate to contact me and/or make an appointment.   dena@glacierwomenshealth.com

https://cmbm.org/thetransformation/resources/

If you are experiencing harmful thoughts toward yourself or others, call 911 or the suicide hotline 1-800-273-8255