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Maryam Ahmed: The biggest takeaway I got was that self-care is a journey, not a destination. It is something that needs to be practiced on a daily basis, otherwise, burnout is a real risk for counselors.

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Maryam Ahmed: The nature of the counseling profession leads to counselors being constantly exposed to various forms of trauma, and strong emotions. Most counselors are empathic by nature, and if we absorb everything like a sponge and don't take the time to wring out the sponge, our minds will be saturated and unable to function. Self-care is like the process of washing and wringing out a sponge, in the sense that it renews our ability to do our job well.

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Maryam Ahmed: Daily healthy habits are very important to maintaining a consistent high level of wellness. One of the things I do everyday on my way home from work is call a friend or relative, who has nothing to do with work. Connecting with people outside my workplace helps me to maintain a work-life balance and helps signal my mind that the workday is over, and I need to focus on my other priorities. Another thing that I do is to pack a healthy snack during my workday. It seems like a small action, but taking a minute to go wash my hands and step away from my office to eat my snack for a few minutes helps prevent me from getting overwhelmed, and fuels both my mind and body.

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Wilmarie Laguer: The biggest takeaway for me is that mental health wellness begins with us. To effectively help others, we must prioritize creating a work-life balance. This balance should be integrated into our daily routine to prevent burnout and fatigue.

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Wilmarie Laguer: Self-care is an important aspect of any profession, especially for counselors. This career field demands skills that can quickly become overwhelming depending on the nature of the tasks involved. Engaging in self-care helps counselors manage emotional, mental, and physical stress, which are common challenges in this line of work. Establishing a self-care routine enables counselors to be more effective in their roles and fosters healthier relationships with clients.

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Wilmarie Laguer: One of my goals is to practice more self-care as a current student and a future counselor. Exercise is one of the activities that has great benefits. Not only does exercise decrease stress, but it is also good for healthy bodily functions. Another self-care activity I plan to incorporate is eating healthy foods. Oftentimes, we find ourselves in a rushed schedule, preventing us from having time to eat healthy meals; instead, we grab foods that are not the best for our bodies. Therefore, finding time to practice self-care is a must.

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Christina Valadez: I now understand the gravity and consistency in which compassion fatigue happens in specific career fields. This common and under-supported problem inhibits a person’s ability to do their job.

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Christina Valadez: Self-care regenerates a person’s ability to think clearly, compassionately, and fully. Not having a self-care plan can lead to a weakening resolve to fully help a person in need. I can only help others if I am standing on a firm foundation.

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Christina Valadez: I can ensure I am taking care of myself through honest reflection and self-evaluation. I will do a daily self-check-in. Intentional movement often helps me decompress; however, I am rarely able to go to a gym or class. To relieve stress, I will utilize simple exercises and deep breathing at home.