TLDR: No matter the time of year, it is so important to focus on self care when we can. Self-care may not seem like it is a component of physical therapy, but it truly is. We have to take care of ourselves in all capacities in order to be able to keep ourselves healthy and prevent injuries and heal from injuries as well. Self-care helps us improve our mental and physical health. When we are mentally and physically strong and healthy, we are able to do the things we need and want to do to help to keep our bodies moving the way we want to and to live without limits! What does self-care look like for you?
One of the things that LWL talks about a lot, on social media and in person to our amazing clients, is the idea of self-care. Initially, it may seem weird or different that your physical therapist is talking to you about self-care. Self care doesn’t have anything to do with physical therapy, right?
Actually, it does! Especially with the way that LWL does things! LWL looks at you as a whole person. We don’t see you as your injury or as your pain. There are so many different things and factors that go into what you are experiencing with injuries, pains, weaknesses, and/or difficulties. Our bodies hold on to emotions and experiences in so many different ways and it can play a role in some of our pain and injuries that we have at any given time. Self-care is so important in physical therapy because it helps us to heal mentally, which can then help us to heal physically as well.
Self-care looks different for everybody. The goal of it though is to recharge your batteries and to take care of you. You are just as important as everybody else and you deserve to take care of yourself too. If you don’t take care of yourself, and recharge yourself and do the things you love, it is likely that you may have physical aches and pains as well. You may also end up “getting used to” the pain that you are feeling even though it isn’t something that you should have to live with. Self-care is a big part of physical therapy because physical therapy is taking care of you, as a whole person!
Carving out time for self-care can be different. I know for me, it is something that I tend to push away when things get busy or hectic or I’m trying to take care of people besides myself. It eventually catches up though and eventually I burn out and I am forced to take care of myself. It is so important to get into some type of routine that works for you that helps you to focus on self care in ways that help you and work for you. Self-care will look differently for everybody - what you do and how you do it will be different from the person next to you, and that is 1000% okay - the whole point is to do what works best for you!
Here are some ideas that you can try out for self-care! These are not everything that you can do and some of these may work or you may not like any of them! Give yourself time to figure out what works best for you in taking care of you! Please feel free to comment/message with other self care ideas that have worked for you and how you make the time and effort to prioritize yourself and your self-care!
Self-Care Ideas can include!
Taking a break from your cell phone and/or social media
Taking a hot shower or bath
Burning candles or using essential oils
Watching a favorite movie
Reading a book
Journaling
Cooking your favorite food
Going for a walk
Workout
Spending time laughing with a friend
Take a nap
Go for a drive and listen to your favorite movie
Treat yourself to a coffee/tea/your favorite drink
Take yourself out/treat yourself to your favorite dinner
Color/Knit/Crochet/Pottery or anything “crafty”
Sit out in nature
Go to your favorite happy place
Do nothing!
These are again, only some ideas! And it’s only just a start! Find and do what you love and that makes you feel good again and to feel mentally and physically healthy! Take the time that you deserve to take care of yourself - you DO deserve it!
If there is anything specific that you would like to learn about, comment or email me and I am more than happy to talk more about it! If you are a small business owner or know somebody who is and who would like to be a part of LWL’s blog in the future, reach out to us and we would love to feature you!
Thanks for being here!
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Dr. Katie
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