Understanding Self-Care

Coffee Break Conversations with Jason Olvera, CACD, Outreach Therapist

In our second episode in season four of Wedgwood’s Coffee Break Conversation, host Hillary sits down with Jason Olvera, CACD, Wedgwood Outreach Therapist, and heavily involved in our Substance Use Disorder Treatment program. In today’s fast-paced world, prioritizing self-care and mental health is crucial. Beyond the buzzword, they explore the true meaning of self-care. Together, they discuss practical steps to incorporate self-care into your daily life, as well as how to balance life’s demands while prioritizing your mental health.

What does self-care really mean?

Self-care involves being self-aware, knowing what your limits are, and taking time to address those needs. It is more than just pampering yourself or treating yourself when you occasionally feel stressed. Self-care is a continuous process of identifying your needs and finding ways to fulfill them.

As Jason says, “Self-care isn’t saying ‘me first’, it’s saying ‘me too’.” While it is natural to take on various responsibilities, who is taking care of you? Prioritize yourself by ensuring your needs are met before extending help to others.

Why is self-care important?

In our fast-paced world, the constant demands of life can be easily overwhelming. It’s important to set aside moments of your day to relax and unwind, even if it’s as simple as reflecting while commuting to and from work. Balancing personal and professional responsibilities can be challenging, stressing the importance of intentionally making time to wind down and acknowledge it is okay to take a step back and say, “I need to take care of myself.”

Jason pointed out that even in Scripture, Christ made time for himself and encouraged his disciples to do the dame. If he recognized the importance of taking time for himself, perhaps we should follow his example.

How can you implement self-care in your life?

Start by making small, incremental changes in your daily routine to help create a more balanced state of mind. Small changes make self-care more sustainable because they do not feel as overwhelming or demanding to incorporate. Self-care does not require drastic changes in your life. The more overwhelming they are, the more it feels like additional demands you do not have dedicated energy for, leading to avoidance. Self-care can be as simple as going to bed an hour early or walking around your neighborhood.

Choosing not to do something is also self-care. Sometimes just saying no can also be an act of self-awareness, especially when you feel your boundaries are being pushed to the limit.

At times, self-care involves sitting down and creating a priority list. This helps organize your thoughts and determine what you want versus what you truly need. You will be able to decide what you need to do and plan how you are going to fulfill your needs. Self-care looks different for everyone, so you don’t know what works best for you until you experiment with different approaches through trial and error.

Check out our blog by Emily Nykamp, LLMSW, Wedgwood Outpatient Therapist, to learn more ways how to implement self-care in your life!

 

JASON’S TOP 3 TIPS FOR IMPLEMENTING SELF-CARE IN YOUR LIFE:

Active, conscious engagement.

Regularly assess how you feel physically, emotionally, and mentally, and recognize when adjustments need to be made. This requires consciously engaging in activities that replenish your energy and encourage self-care. By actively participating in self-care practices, you ensure it becomes an integral part of your routine, rather than an afterthought or occasional habit.

 

Make it fun.

Self-care does not have to be tedious; it can be enjoyable with a small perspective shift. Even everyday tasks can be enjoyable if you step back and look at them from a different perspective. Consider asking yourself these questions:

• How can I make this enjoyable?
• How can I make this a challenge?

This mindset turns everyday activity into opportunities for fulfillment and mindfulness.

 

Give yourself grace.

We are all human, so we all require moments of self-care to recharge. Self-care helps you recognize your limits, learn from challenges, and celebrate every step forward. The goal is never perfection, it is progress!

 

Wedgwood is here to help!

At Wedgwood Christian Services, you’ll find a caring and compassionate team of professionals who understand the complexities of mental health and are committed to providing individualized care that meets your unique needs. Wedgwood’s holistic approach offers a comprehensive range of services to help you or your loved one achieve mental health growth & progress.

Wedgwood Christian Services is located on the southeast side of Grand Rapids in West Michigan.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, Wedgwood’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services have immediate openings. You can contact the Bouma Counseling Center at (616) 942-7294 or email counseling@wedgwood.org for more information.

 

Want to learn more about introducing self-care into your routine? Check out Wedgwood’s Coffee Break Conversation to see the full episode with Jason on our YouTube channel or the Wedgwood Podcast – available wherever you get your podcasts.