Diane Bridgeman, Ph.D. 4/17

• First, acknowledge the work you are doing in helping others
• Adjust your work schedule for a balance of problematic demands with those less challenging
• Acknowledge your limits and strive for flexibility
• Accept support from others
• Take pride in your professionalism, as well as in your personal development & put balance & nurturing into ongoing schedule
• Use self-care strategies such as; self-soothing methods for example; meditation, mindfulness, yoga, journal your thoughts, take time to reflect, be with liked minded friends/family, spend time in nature, etc.
• There is not one specific way for self-care, you need to tailor it for your needs/interests, and not add guilt for times you can’t fit in these nurturing strategies
• Value the importance of empathy & going beyond yourself, & appreciate that these concepts can co-exist with good self-care
• Accept appropriateness of boundary setting as none of us can, nor should, be “present” for others at all times