2018 – Rebalancing in the Year of Change

The dynamics of life are ever changing from politics, climate change and social media. One thing I know from nearly four decades of clinical experience is that as health care providers, each of us must make time for self-care and self-being (a new word I just created), meaning there is time to reflect and look after ourselves. This time of quietude is not a luxury. It is a necessity to restore ourselves and maintain our sense of self so that we can clearly maintain our boundaries while we nurture others. If you knew you could not fail (whatever that means to you) what would you do or not do in the self-caring and self-being time?

You cannot take your clients anywhere you have not gone yourself.

As the world spins around every year do you find yourself and your clients clamoring more and more for common sense, which is ‘not so common’ as the saying goes. For most of us, life is so complicated doing one more thing in our profoundly busy schedule seems impossible.  I continually find it necessary to more simply explain to clients what is going on inside of them and how they can restore their health. To provide them with straight forward ways to carry out my recommendations so that it fits into their busy lives.

Managing stress is most often at the top of the list for all of us. It is necessary to not let stress accumulate over time. Shifting ones internal ‘state’ from over stressed to relaxing can often take 1-2 minutes. I teach this to clients through these methods: mindful breathing when you are on hold on the telephone to relax your nervous system; humming quietly to yourself so that the vibration of your own voice in your body help you focus within; noting when you see someone do something kind for someone else; enjoying a tree, a bird, a dog, a child being themselves.

For care givers and care receivers self-care is a welcome break. For example: Epsom salt baths; growing pots of herbs to make fresh relaxing tea; listening to music through ear phones while doing other things; rubbing hands and feet with castor oil before bed.

As health care providers remember that you cannot take your clients anywhere you have not gone yourself. Be a living example, look after yourself.

Dr. Verna Hunt BSc DC ND
www.healthandwellbeing.info
www.beingwellcommunications.com

Are you an ND or an ND-to-be? What is your #1 self-care activity? Share with us in the comments below!