Self-Care Amidst COVID-19 in Our Roles as School Counselor, Parent, etc.
You Can't Give From an Empty Bucket!
This time in our history with COVID-19 and this time in my life with my husband’s illness help me to remember the important things. When we were first married, my husband would say, “If money can fix it, it’s not a problem.” I argued that we didn’t have any money, so it was a problem. (We were so poor all those 37 years ago, but we had love.) Yet, with years and experience comes wisdom. I have learned that priceless things such as health are so much more important than wealth. And, so I want to focus today’s blog/discussion on focusing on the priceless.
We are separated as a society with social distancing, and my husband and I are separated by his illness as he is hospitalized. With things the way they are, he can’t have visitors. I continue to argue that I’m not a visitor, I’m his wife. It's painful to be separated from him at a time that he needs me even more than normal. So, I’m reminded to focus on the good things in life: my healthy children and grandchildren, our jobs that continue to support us, the support of friends, etc. because we can’t give from an empty bucket.
And, it’s so important to be able to give as one can’t help others without helping themselves.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words are even more significant today to remind us to focus on the priceless as we fill our buckets. My hope is that you can remember to take care of yourself as we continue to care for others in our role as school counselors throughout this social distancing. Practice some informal self-care strategies:
- Enjoy times full of laughter, ice cream and good times
- Write a journal
- Take a bubble bath
- Take time for appreciating or creating art
- Watch a sunset
- Read for leisure
- Gardening
- Yoga (active relaxation)
- Hug someone
- Listen to music (singing along with the radio in the car works wonders)
- Listen to soft music in combination with deep breathing exercises
- Watch movies (Save the heavy dramas for when life isn’t already full of dramas)
- Go for a walk
- Dance
- Eat one piece of chocolate
- Reduce clutter/Get more organized so that the details of everyday life don’t add to stress
- Take a weekend retreat or a day trip
- Meditate/Listen to a guided imagery tape
- Practice mindfulness
- Get a massage
- Begin the day with gratitude and continue to practice it throughout the day
- Pray
I am a school counselor turned counselor educator, professor, and author helping educators and parents to build social, emotional, and academic growth in ALL kids! The school counseling blog delivers both advocacy as well as strategies to help you deliver your best school counseling program.
I'm a mother, grandmother, professor, author, and wife (I'll always be his). Until October 20, 2020, I lived with my husband, Robert (Bob) Rose, in Louisville, Ky. On that awful day of October 20,2020, my life profoundly changed, when this amazing man went on to Heaven. After Bob moved to Heaven, I embraced my love of writing as an outlet for grief. Hence, the Grief Blog is my attempt to share what I learned as a Counselor in education with what I am learning through this experience of walking this earth without him. My mission is to help those in grief move forward to see joy beyond this most painful time.
