Self-care strategies for dealing with stress, trauma and crisis...
When dealing with stress, trauma and crisis, it is crucial that
you remember to care for yourself. Those who recover most quickly
are those who take specific actions to manage their responses and
feelings. Here are some self-care strategies you may choose to try:
Stay away from mood-altering
substances, including drugs and alcohol
Get plenty of rest
so that you feel rested and relaxed
Eat well-balanced meals
Practice stress
reduction techniques such as deep breathing, mediation and
visualization
Give yourself permission to feel bad. Schedule
it in your day
Let yourself cry
Give yourself permission
to feel good
Make small decisions
daily to get control of your life back
If possible, put
off major life decisions
Give
yourself permission to focus on someone outside yourself
Structure your time and develop a routine
Lower expectations on
what you think you “should be doing”
Take breaks from periods of isolation
Talk it out – even
with a professional
Give yourself permission to do something
that could feel good to you
Give and get physical
touch. A hug can do wonders
Exercise – even a little bit
Remind yourself that your
reactions are normal
Engage in practices that are meaningful
to you such as prayer, walking in the woods, sitting quietly, reading
inspirational material, talking a bath or journal writing
Do something that puts
a smile on someone’s face
Adapted from MCC Behavioral Care Inc.
and Crisis Clinic
