Blank
Blank Content
A Gift for You - YOU
Land Or Sea CEUs
Giving Back To You

As helping professionals we give of our selves every day; to our clients, family, friends and community. 

But have you stopped to think what you are giving yourself?  Most of us, myself included, don’t “walk the walk” when it comes to giving care for ourselves.   I have my reasons:  too much paperwork, family demands, vicarious trauma from clients, being needed most of the time, time constraints, and daily stressors.  I could list more but take a minute to think what your reasons are for not getting the self care you need. 

Now, what does this lack of self care lead to?  Burnout, compassion fatigue, job dissatification, high stress hormones, sleep issues.  Need I go on?

Okay, so what do we do about regaining the self care we need?  My answer is – Mindfulness.
“What is Mindfulness?”  you say.  Simply put by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. it is “Paying attention, in a particular way, on purpose, and in the present moment.”   Different from a relaxation technique, mindfulness enhances awareness and helps us disengage from maladaptive patterns of thinking such as generalizing, worrying, and perseverating, which create deleterious reactions to stress. It promotes the use of coping responses that are healthier and more effective.
By beginning a daily practice of Mindfulness and Mindful Meditation, I have been able to live more fully, in the moment, gain job satisfication, improve sleep, and greatly decrease burnout.  Sound too good to be true?  It’s not and it works with just a little practice and a 10 to 20 minute a day commitment.  The practice of Mindfulness can be done anytime and anywhere by just focusing on what is happening in the present moment and accepting what is happening.  No need to judge or fix or do anything (unless something is on fire) and just breathe.  Mindfulness helps us be in touch with our physical and emotional states so that we can make conscious decisions that support our own health. It also can preserve our health and happiness, and keep us in our chosen field.

Here are some simple ways to invite mindfulness into your day:

  • Focus on doing one thing at a time and minimize multitasking;
  • Take a walk outside without your pager or cell phone;
  • Take a meal break without your computer, phone, or reading material; focus on all aspects of the food;
  • Before each patient encounter, stop and take three deep belly breaths—one to release any thoughts about what has already happened in your day, one to release any expectations for the day, and one to invite yourself fully into the moment to be with the person you are about to see;
  • Schedule time for relaxation, celebration, and fun—or just time that can’t be scheduled;
  • Spend time outside every day—even a few minutes;
  • Begin meetings with 30 to 60 seconds of silence and breathing or share a brief, meaningful poem;
  • Laugh often;
  • Pay attention to your body, moving and stretching whenever you can even if you are at your desk, in the office, or in the hallway;
  • Practice gratitude; end each day by acknowledging one thing you are grateful for (challenge yourself to never repeat things);
  • Practice listening without interrupting or ruminating about what to say next;
  • Ask for help;
  • Create time everyday to leave behind your professional role and move into your personal roles with friends, family, or just yourself;
  • Try a yoga, Tai Chi, or Mindful Meditation class and take along a friend or colleague;
  • Practice Mindful Meditation for 10 minutes 2 times a day.

If you want to learn more there are excellent books about Mindfulness by numerous authors (Google on Amazon); or join me at a Mindfulness Based Therapy CEU training,  either on a CEU cruise or at a local workshop.  You can learn Mindfulness, earn CEUs and gain new skills to assist clients and teach them Mindfulness.

A CEU Cruise is a great way to distress, recoup, have a good time and earn interesting, interactive, fun CEUs.  For more information please click on the Home button above or give me a call at 877-901-4335.