A Summer of Self-Care
It’s summertime and the living is sweeter when you practice self-care. Are you taking time to not only plan vacations and activities for your family, or making sure that work is running smoothly throughout vacation gaps, but also taking time for yourself? If you are not prioritizing your own needs, as is often the case for working women, it is very likely that no one else will.
According to Dr. Darling, an expert on women’s health, “if you don’t properly care for yourself, your body will let you know in negative ways.” Cleveland Clinic, April 2021 “Why self-care isn’t selfish.” Self-care can be defined simply as “meeting your needs”, according to Darling. And although many women don’t make self-care a priority, failing to do so has truly negative impacts emotionally physically and cognitively. The reverse is of course also true: care for yourself and you will thrive.
In a recent article, Renee Trudeau, a well-regarded author, lecturer and expert on work/life balance, wrote “Everyone I meet is experiencing some type of COVID hangover. For many this is showing up as depression, anxiety, loneliness or feeling lost.” This can result in a greater need for self-care at this time of transition.
Self -care is possible when we make our needs a priority on a daily basis even in small increments: a nature walk, sitting and relaxing on a porch, catching up with a friend, taking a hot bath, playing a game and saying no to unnecessary tasks. It’s also time to forgive yourself for what didn’t go all that well this past year and to create boundaries that allow those who depend on you to understand that you will take this valuable time for yourself. A longer self-care break may be needed as an integral part of your summer plans. Yet you can take time and space for yourself even within the context of a group or family vacation or in between weekend activities: a technology-free long walk on a beach, a bike ride through the woods, writing or drawing, or doing absolutely nothing may reap immediate and long-term rewards. When I am crunched for time, I recall images of past presidents exercising, golfing, engaging in leisurely activities. If they can do it, and they understand its importance, you can too.
In order to free up our time as working women, we must delegate at work when we have that option. Women often struggle with delegation due to challenges institutionally, internally and societally. Yet, women who delegate are more successful at work according to recent studies. These women develop successful strategies for team building and effective communication that make delegation easier. Delegation once routinized is less of a challenge and allows us the freedom to live our fuller lives. No one can do it all well! If you’re struggling with delegation “The Art of Graceful Delegation” by Catherine Crawley, Ph.D., in Diversity Women Media is insightful reading.
Please don’t forget to celebrate “you” this summer!
The feature article is on vacation in July and will return in August!
Karen J. Laufer
ATHENA contributor
We would love you to share your favorite stories or photos of self-care with ATHENA at communications@ATHENAINTERNATIONAL.org