self-care plan

Creating your self-care plan

Now more than ever, we are bombarded by information, access, choices and the need to be more productive.

Despite many advantages to technology such as having access to information rapidly, being able to video chat with a friend or family member overseas or to listen to a song on request immediately (just to name a few), it has also impacted our expectations of being available to others and our ability to separate ourselves from external demands.

As a result, we often operate as though our personal resources are infinite. However, if we do not take the necessary time to replenish these resources, they can become depleted.

Taking a moment to rest and recharge is essential. It’s important to identify what really works for each of us, what re-energizes us, as well as how to conserve our energy because we cannot produce, be effective or be present with ourselves and those around us if our resources are depleted.

Self-care means more than taking a moment to do something that feels good. It’s about prioritizing our well-being in order to take better care of ourselves to function and grow as well as develop better connections with others and be a functioning member in society.

Therefore, it becomes increasingly important to carve out some time for ourselves to

- Assess where most of our energy is being spent and if a change is needed in certain areas to spend less time on what drains us.

- Identify what excites us and rejuvenates us to ensure these are incorporated in our lives.

- Allow appropriate time to rest and recharge.

- Give priority to our own mental and physical needs by developing and working toward specific goals

- Ask for help and support to remind us we are not alone.

Written by Marie-Josée Marchica