Self-Care
Written by Victoria Delgadillo, MC LAC
Self-care is a very important part of healing. It can look very different for everyone! At Amanda Hope, we believe that there is more than one way to practice self-care. Art, meditation, exercise, mental-check-in’s, listening to your body, going on a walk, eating healthy, and treating yourself with a relaxing day are just a few of the ways we can practice this self-love. Check out the helpful resources below!
Mental and Physical First-aid (Mental Check-In’s)
When going through treatment, our warriors are placed under mental and physical stress. In certain situations, some may find themselves needing to provide first aid to their warrior. First aid often times refers to physical symptoms and issues, but it can also refer to mental health symptoms, including panic attacks, anxiety, and/or depression. This article provides information for both! It is important to practice “self-check-in’s”, where you take a moment to listen to your body and mind to see what it needs in those moments.
Is there a part of the body that feels extra tense? Do you need a break?
When the mental health symptoms become more intense or last for long time periods, it may be beneficial to seek support through counseling. If you would like to talk about it more with one of our licensed counselors, please email comfortandcare@amandahope.org or apply for services at https://www.amandahope.org/comfort-care-application.
Resource: https://pacificmedicalacls.com/first-aid-for-people-with-cancer.html
At-Home Spa
There are some days that we want to practice self-care by treating ourselves! For some people, this can look like a much needed spa day! This article provides information and tips on how to make your own spa-day at home! This can be a great activity to do with your kids, parents, family, friends, or on a day just for you!
Materials for your spa-day can be things you find around your home or if you are willing to buy some items from the store. This is supposed to be a stress-relieving activity—don’t stress yourself out more!
Resource: https://porch.com/advice/create-home-spa-ultimate-relaxation
Meditation
Meditation is a practice to connect your mind and body. It has many benefits including being used to relieve stress, improve memory, promote healing, and it is beneficial to mental, physical, and emotional health. It can seem very intimidating or scary, but with practice and finding what works best for you or your child, it can be a great tool to have!
Yoga as part of meditation
Yoga is not only a great type of exercise, but it also promotes mental well-being and the practice of meditation! It is a great way to connect your mind and body through stretches, movement, and breathing exercises.
In our free counseling here at Amanda Hope, we often use meditation. If you would like to talk about it more with one of our licensed counselors, please email comfortandcare@amandahope.org or apply for services at https://www.amandahope.org/comfort-care-application.
Here are some articles and resources related to the practice of meditation, its benefits, and simple how-to’s:
https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/meditation-building-the-superpower-you-didnt-even-know-you-had/
https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/17-powerful-benefits-meditation
https://blog.yogaia.com/2017/08/6-yoga-poses-to-help-you-prepare-for-meditation/
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/g32267191/mindfulness-activities/
https://mysocalledyogalifeblog.com/2017/06/07/golden-ball-of-light-meditation/
OUR COMFORT AND CARE COUNSELING SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR WARRIORS, THEIR SIBLINGS, AND THEIR PARENTS/CAREGIVERS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE CARE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO WORK THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES.
Victoria Delgadillo is a licensed Comfort and Care Counselor at Amanda Hope. She has availability for the following services: Individual, Couples/Marriage, Family therapy and Play Therapy.