Self Care for the Carers

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Self Care for the Carers

• A Presentation of the
• CDA Psychology Unit

Now sit back and let the show run ?
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Why Self Care?

• You work hard
• You give all youve got to those in your care
• This is a demanding job
• It pulls on you emotionally, physically, mentally
• Too much giving can drain you
• This can lead to problems physical, emotional,
  mental

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What is Self Care

• Self Care is taking time to deliberately
  replenish ones internal resources
• Self Care addresses physical, emotional and
  mental needs
• Effective Self Care is done on a regular basis
• Self Care is tailor-made to the individual

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When to do Self Care

• A little every day
• Create moments in each day
• A little every week
• Have at least one work-free day
• A little every year
• Take your vacation!
• Really take a break
• Time it to be doable, and not disruptive

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Some Elements of Self Care

• Physical
• Exercise! Exercise! Exercise!
• Watch what youre eating. E.g. sugary snacks
  cause a high and then a crash
• Listen to your body, dont wait till its too
  late!

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• Emotional
• Invest in positive relationships
• Give yourself permission to take a break
• Keep tabs on your self-talk, feed the positive

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• Mental
• Work smarter how can you be more efficient
• Take strategic breaks in the work day
• Switch tasks periodically to improve efficiency
• Ask for help you dont know everything, so
  consult a colleague, develop a collaborative
  approach

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Also check out

• A Self Care Starter Kit (Univ. of Buffalo)

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Now go take care of yourself ?

• The Psychology Unit wishes you a great 2015!