Spiritual Self-Care Planning would begin with 1) Physical self-care- listening to the body. Since stress is experienced physically, it is important to identify where stress manifests itself in the body, routinely check vulnerable areas, and find effective ways to counter act physical stress with relaxation. A variety of methods exists, including simple breathing techniques, progessive muscle relaxation ocupressure, massage therapy, exercise, yoga, and meditation, attending to on going difficulties such as depression or anxiety and insomnia is included. 2) Emotional and Cognitive Self- Care-Express, Soothe, Release includes maximizing energizing emotions and processing grief, routinely letting it in and out of one' s life. Identifying individual emotional crying, irritability, anxiety, numbness, self- doubt, or addictive behaviors is important. 3) The key to emotional self- care is routinely expressing, soothing, releasing emotions allowing for more frequent crying may be appropriate for professionals, even if a movie or music is needed to " jump start" a good cry. Other methods include writing, creating, listening to music, talking with confidants, enjoying hot baths, being held, or cuddling a pet, aromatherapy, massage, meditation, mindfulness, prayer, gardening and cleaning offer other emotional soothing outlets allowing time to soak up joyful times and successes or engaging in pleasurable activities and humor is energizing 4) Relational Self- Care- Support, Support, Support stress responses include increased irritability, distance, or dependence. Finding those able to listen and support is critical. It is helpful to educate significant others about work stresses, when it's about work not about you and the way they can offer meaningful support. This means knowing what you need and being able to ask for it, which is often difficult for professionals. In addition self- care requires setting healthy limits in personal and professional relationships. Helpful tools include identifying warning signals of overextending, practicing setting limits, and handling conflicts by dealing directly with the person when an issue first arises, while remaining focused on solutions without blaming or personalizing. Regularly scheduled supervisory and peer sessions are vital to preventing burnout and compassion fatigue, to the extent they provide positive, constructive feedback that assists in managing emotions, maintaining confidence and self- esteem, normalizing experiences, and developing new resources and copying methods 5) Spiritual Self-Care- Tuning in to the BiggerPicture staying attuned spiritually includes reading sacred texts, praying, attending services, connecting to nature, listening to music, meditation, and engaging in creative endeavors. 6) Self- Care Is Not Optional- Since the professionals self is the vehicle for serving clients, self- care is similar to musicans caring for their instruments, an occupational responsibility, tending to the source of one's gifts results in a long career of privilege as a compassionate sojourner in many clients lives.
