As a society, we have been through so much over the past four years. For many of us, we have been in survival mode. Because of this, we have forgotten how to take care of ourselves. I see many clients who share with me that they don’t have hobbies or interests. When I ask them what they do to care for themselves, they have a hard time answering this question. This is understandable, given the state of the world the past few years.
Activities that bring us a sense of calm and that bring us joy, help to manage anxiety and improve our mood. Our brains release dopamine and serotonin when we feel a sense of calm. People think of self care as cliche, but it’s really not. These are important parts of our lives. Not engaging in self care is like an athlete who never stretches their muscles. The athlete can get away with this for a while, but eventually it catches up to them and they get hurt.
I often suggest to clients that they schedule self care activities into their calendars, the same way that they schedule appointments. With very busy lives, most of us don’t do things without reminders or scheduled appointments. Start to explore things that bring you a sense of calm. Think about things that used to make you feel calm or used to bring you joy. Start by reverting to those activities and go from there. Ask friends and family what they do, what makes them feel good.
I challenge you to consider two things:
- what brings you a sense of calm?
- what brings you joy?
Make a list! Challenge your family members or coworkers to do the same and then compare. Don’t underestimate the power of joy! We all need a little joy in our lives.
Erin Graham, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker