Make Time for Self-Care During the Holidays & Year-Round

Whether you are a Treatment Foster Home parent, a Direct Support Professional, or you care for people in another capacity, self-care is crucial for your overall health. There are two definitions of self-care, but we’ll focus on one for today. Self-care is taking action to improve or protect your health and well-being, especially during times of stress. At RISE Services, Inc. Idaho, we understand that making time in your schedule, even for one hour, can be very challenging. Take a few moments to learn what self-care means for you, where to begin, and how to implement a new self-care practice today. 

Self-Care Is Not One-Size-Fits-All

Many ideas may come to mind when thinking about self-care. Some of the most common ones you’ve probably heard include going for walks, spending time with friends, and reading your favorite books. While these are all great ideas, they may not necessarily speak self-care to you. When practicing self-care, remember that it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Choose activities that recharge you and give you the much-deserved time you need.

Begin By Asking Yourself Questions

As part- or full-time caregivers, you may realize self-care’s importance but aren’t sure how to start. To get those creative juices flowing, we suggest you begin by asking yourself a few questions, such as: 

• What goals have I put on hold that I want to work toward?
• What type of activities recharge me and help me feel genuinely rested?
• If I could ask for help in any area of my life, what would it be?
• If I had one free hour each day, how would I choose to spend it?

Implement One Self-Care Activity

We understand that wanting time for yourself and making time for yourself are two very different things. Although your schedule may be packed, it is essential that you find and schedule time for self-care. From the questions you answered above, choose a simple activity or pastime to implement and add it to this week’s schedule. Even if it’s only 15 minutes a day, you will be pleasantly surprised at what one small daily break can do for your physical wellness and mental state of mind. 

Happy Holidays to You and Your Loved Ones

Our wish for you this season is to enjoy a wonderful holiday with family and friends and to make yourself a priority by practicing self-care in the new year. Contact us today to learn more about RISE Idaho and how our caregivers support children in treatment foster care, adults in developmental therapy, individuals with disabilities seeking employment, and more.