Self-Care : Do what I say not what I do JM Roesner DVM, DABVP Medical Director Loving Hands Animal Clinic 13775 Highway 9 Alpharetta, Ga 30004 770-667-9022

What is self-care? Intentionally engaging in behaviors and practices that promote well being of the individual. Evaluating choices and taking my own well being into account. Taking full responsibility for the choices I make. Putting myself on the list of beings I take care of.

Why is self-care important? I am my best me when I am taking care of myself (ethics, integrity, morality, humility, contributions to the world, kindness) It is my responsibility (not someone else's) because I am a human being. It allows acting authentically with my fellows and removes the need to manipulate others to take care of myself. People who engage in good self-care are more productive, satisfied and happier.

Physical Self-Care Sleep adequately Make conscious choices about food. Do not be too rigid or perfectionistic. Do not “diet.” Move physically, exercise. Sunlight. SAD. Nurture your body – massage, reiki, facials.

Emotional Self-Care Have a mission and vision for your life and decrease stress and self doubt by using this to evaluate choices and behaviors. Be accountable for your actions. Accept that choices have consequences. Accept that the only human behavior you have control over is your own. No. No is a complete sentence.

Emotional Self-Care Continued Requests which cannot be turned down are demands. Practice setting boundaries with others. Learn to take time to consider choices and avoid impulsive or reactive behavior (“I’ll get back to you on that”).

Emotional Self-Care Continued Ask for help and guidance. Keep perspective on what are realistic goals. Reality check perceptions. Accept human limitations. Build a support network of trusted others.

Emotional Self-Care Continued Accept that we all make suboptimal choices that yield less than ideal consequences. This is the basics of learning and personal growth. Learning influences your needs and choices. Learn through negative modeling what you do not want as part of your life.

Emotional Self-Care Continued Accept that life is difficult at times. This lessons resentment and blaming when hard times come. Remember to de-escalate after a life challenge has passed (emotional hypervigilance, over work, removing nurturing activities to a lot time to the crisis).

Spiritual Self-Care Spirituality is not a religion. Spirituality is not about adhering to specific rules. Spirituality is about connecting with life and other beings.

Spiritual Self-Care Continued Spirituality is about being part of a greater whole and not being the end in myself. Spirituality relieves me of the false perception that I am responsible for and can control all facets of life. Spirituality relieves me of the burden of trying to be perfect and trying to hide my errors when I am not.

Spiritual Self-Care Continued Spiritual care requires time and intention. Practices are different for every individual. Nature, walking/hiking Animal contact Children Meditation Prayer Music and many more

Spiritual Self-Care Continued Explore what feeds your spirit and do it. Play. Start each day with quiet time. Even just for a few moments on the drive to work. Focus of being not doing in this moment. Interludes of peace (Bathroom breaks, Charlie).

Spiritual Self-Care Continued Consider starting and ending each day by listing 3 things that you are grateful for. Celebrate your own accomplishments and personal growth. Don’t wait for someone else to notice.

Making Self-Care Stick Start slowly. Celebrate each change. Enjoy the process. Accept that this is a work in progress and may be part of personal growth for the rest of your life. You define comfort, nurturing and self-care. If something feels wrong it is probably not your truth.

Making Self-Care Stick Continued Understand there will be lots of trial and error and trying on new behaviors. There is no absolute success or failure in personal development. Understand these may be push back from those around you especially if you have been care taking them and not yourself. Their judgment is not your truth.

Making Self-Care Stick Continued Reality check goals, anxiety about advocating for care of yourself, feelings if failure of lack of progress. Be accountable to someone else. Support each other in the changing. Notes on bathroom mirror or in your car to remind you to put yourself on the list.