Yoga and chocolate cake. I present this “routine” as my most recent experiment in self-care. It was delightful for a week, then I finished the final slice of cake and decided my body could use a rest from sugar. Triple layer chocolate with fresh raspberry buttercream frosting and chocolate ganache truffles. Perfect accompaniment to a latte, following my gentle sunrise yoga practice, preceding long days of rehearsals, hospital practicum, classes and kiddos.
Self-care is something we’re told we should do; warned we’d better do … or else! My NYU professors routinely emphasize the importance of developing self-care routines as we enter into a profession of healing and healthcare. Adreine Mishler, of Yoga with Adriene, often reminds her students that we can’t care for others if we are not caring for ourselves; that we must show kindness to ourselves before we can offer it to others. I attempt to frame the time I take each day for myself in terms of necessity, not frivolity. Though half a chocolate cake was definitely borderline.
Naturally, since I started my music therapy training, I’ve been thinking more about what self-care means for me (and how to fit yet another thing into the day). I am fortunate to have a variety of resources to draw from, and enjoy thinking outside the box. Whenever possible, I use Adriene‘s phrase “ find what feels good” to guide my explorations.
Often taking care of myself means doing less and saying “no”. This morning, self-care meant cutting out of my workout halfway through instead of pushing to the end. I had joined a group ride on the Zwift cycling platform but their pace was fast and I hadn’t been on my bike in a while. I rode a strong 12 miles then called it a day, knowing from past experience that if I’d pushed myself further I wouldn’t have felt well the rest of the day. I benefited not only from the exercise, but enjoyed the text banter between riders and soaked up some vitamin D from the sunshine on my back.
My Saturdays usually involve staying home with Eitan, in our pjs, as late as we can manage. Doing nothing after a busy week feels truly luxurious, and all it requires is simply not making plans.
No matter how chaotic life feels or what tragedies surround us, we control only our own actions and, ideally, make our own choices. Won’t you join me in the exploration of self-care, so we can all care for one another just a little bit better?
Laura's Training On the GO 