Practicing Self-Care

Learn about the eight aspects of wellness and the role a self-care action plan can have in the lives of college access professionals.

This Fall has been a season of change for many. The reopening of schools for in-person learning has been accompanied by a period of readjustment for staff, students, and administrators. These new and evolving circumstances have left little time for those of us in education to do much beyond taking it day by day. Fortunately, the upcoming winter break will provide a much-needed time to recharge and refocus as we prepare to welcome the new year. One way we can get the biggest bang for our buck during this period of rest is to reflect inward and take inventory of our self-care arsenal.

Did you know that, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), there are 8 Dimensions of Wellness? SAMHSA defines these 8 dimensions as Social, Environmental, Intellectual, Physical, Emotional, Spiritual, Financial, and Occupational wellness. Ensuring each of these aspects are cared for and addressed contributes to a healthier and more fulfilled life.

We know this is not an easy goal to achieve, especially when there are days when remembering to water the plants or eat lunch somewhere other than your desk seem like huge accomplishments. However, one useful tip is to take time and develop a self-care plan. A self-care plan will vary from person to person, but in its simplest form, it is a list of activities or actions aimed at improving one or more aspect(s) of wellness. Listed below is an example of what a self-care plan can look like:

• Social – go out with friends or family and enjoy your favorite holiday tradition
• Environmental – partake in an outdoor activity or sport
• Intellectual – read a book or play a game that will encourage you to think
• Physical – exercise or play with others to stay active after a big holiday meal
• Emotional – work on positive thinking or keep a journal
• Spiritual – pray, meditate, or do yoga and reflect on this past year
• Financial – create a savings plan
• Occupational – take up a hobby or complete enjoyable work

By sharing this information, we hope you are encouraged to take some time for yourself this holiday season, create your own self-care plan, and feel empowered to finish the year strong.