Self-Care Padlet by

Professional Take Away from Resources

csims16_1 — 2025-03-24 19:57:04 UTC

One thing that really stood out to me from the resources was the mention of self-care across the multiple seasons of your career. When I look back at my college years, I can see that self-care was not a priority because I had never had that responsibility before. Over the 12 years I have worked in education, I have realized how vital these practices are to being able to do the work. Even though I have learned to prioritize self-care practices as a professional, I have felt myself reverting back to how I was in college in terms of self-care. The practices that I usually incorporate into my days for stress relief are now harder to integrate because I have assignments to complete or reading to get done. It makes my day busier and it makes self-care harder to attain. The strain and anxiety increases the longer that I am in classes, so it is imperative that I figure out a way to make time for myself and to rest and rejuvenate for my work and school.

Reflection on Importance of Self-Care in the Helping Profession

csims16_1 — 2025-03-24 19:57:39 UTC

Self-care is imperative for anyone who is working as a helping professional. Burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma are all prevalent in counselors, specifically. We have to be able to provide that empathetic, safe, and secure space for our clients, and it is not possible when we are completely burned out or in a bad headspace. When this emotional fatigue sets in, we become more easily frustrated, less compassionate, and less available for those that need us.

Identification & Description of Personal Self-Care Strategies

csims16_1 — 2025-03-24 19:58:03 UTC

One strategy that is very important to me is maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Incorporating activities that bring me joy, such as: reading, cooking, running, and spending time with family. Additionally, I think the process of self-reflection is so important. Having time to myself to reflect, practice mindfulness strategies, or journal is very helpful. Finally, I think proper nutrition is so often overlooked but is one of the most important aspects of mental and emotional health. Hydration and eating healthy foods is one way that I like to stay on top of my health. When I eat junk, I feel like junk, and then my mental health follows. Likewise, when I eat better, I feel better and have more energy to complete the demands of the day with a clear head.

csims16_1 — 2025-03-26 16:17:58 UTC