For the month of love, we focused on self-care and how to continue to put yourself first – even when it’s tough!
Our co-hosts, @RieOfLetters and @PCOSSUpportGirl, both massive supporters of self-care and self-care practices, shared incredibly useful suggestions and tips for putting yourself first and still being a great advocate.
Looking for the best way to balance your advocacy work and self-care? This #WEGOHealthChat will be a fantastic tool for you! If you’d like to read the chat transcript you can find it here or you can get an overview of the chat below.
Q1. What is your go-to list of self-care activities?
A1. I think my go to #selfcare priorities is MAKING yourself a priority. It’s very easy to get consumed in your passion for helping others, but you can’t pour from an empty cup cont. #WEGOHealthChat
— PCOS SUPPORT GIRL (@PCOSsupportgirl) February 13, 2018
A1. I started doing acupuncture and it really calms me. Same with sitting in a dry sauna. My body reacts so negativity to stress so anything to reduce it is #selfcare for me. #WEGOHealthChat
— Erin Smith (@gfreefun) February 13, 2018
A1: I have several self-care activities that I employ when I am feeling depleted. Of course, advocating for myself, following my treatment plan, eating well, and getting daily movement (to my ability) are important. I practice #mindfulness and #meditate daily. #wegohealthchat
— Rie Lopez, MPH (@RieOfLetters) February 13, 2018
A1. My self-care – take meds on time, make regular provider appointments, take care of flares early so they dont get as bad, using extreme time cheating to stay organized and productive! #WEGOHealthChat https://t.co/Cv9aCOlnEO
— CheerleaderOfHOPE *\O/* (@BarbyIngle) February 13, 2018
Q2. How do you take time for yourself without feeling guilt, even if that means putting your advocacy on hold?
Q2: I began advocacy work because I care about people. I wanted to leverage my background in #publichealth with something where I could still make a difference. So, my biggest fear in putting my #selfcare on hold is not being there to support people I care about.#wegohealthchat
— Rie Lopez, MPH (@RieOfLetters) February 13, 2018
A2 I TURN OFF MY PHONE! seriously it’s a must. When I am connected I can’t focus on me, because there will ALWAYS be other things I could be doing. I have to intentionally put me first, literally. #WEGOHealthChat #selfcare @wegohealth
— PCOS SUPPORT GIRL (@PCOSsupportgirl) February 13, 2018
Q2. I only have to look back at what NOT prioritising self care did to me (wrecked my health, physically & mentally. Led to being diagnosed with burnout & took me months to find my feet). I just KNOW I can’t go back there. That’s usually enough to sort me out! #WEGOHealthChat
— Tamsyn (@HealthPsychTam) February 13, 2018
A2: this is a tough one for me. I’ve been on a super long break with tons of guilt attached. But I know mentally and physically it’s what I needed to do. I’m no good to anyone if I don’t take care of me first. #wegohealthchat
— Whitney Petit (@CfEpilepsy) February 13, 2018
Q3. Do you feel like you’ve been able to come up with a balanced approach to self-care while managing your advocacy?
A3: When I first started, I was drawn in by the “I must advocate for EVERYTHING” voice. What happened was that I wore myself out in a relatively short time. I expended so much physical and emotional labor, that I wasn’t helping myself or anyone else. #wegohealthchat
— Rie Lopez, MPH (@RieOfLetters) February 13, 2018
A3. It’s important to remember #selfcare doesn’t have to be expensive. Sure, I love massages but just not always possible.
so I always have a nice bubble bath once a week, but my other selfcare practices include reading>netflix, getting proper Zzz’s, & yoga! #WEGOHealthChat— Kristen (@srvingofspprt) February 13, 2018
A3: Thankfully, a lot of advocacy can be done online! Conferences and retreats (traveling in general) really takes a lot out of me. I’ve definitely learned how to say no more- both to social events as well as advocacy ones. Always room for improvement! #WEGOHealthChat
— Emily Morgan (@EmMorgan27) February 13, 2018
A3: Yessssssss…….. no 🙈 I’m getting better 🤪 – my mindset is certainly changing, and although I’m busier than ever – there really is more to life than stress and worrying. If we don’t care about ourselves, how on Earth will overs? #WEGOHealthChat https://t.co/aFo7xJ4HST
— Simon Stones (@SimonRStones) February 13, 2018
Q4. What is your biggest fear about putting your advocacy on hold for self-care
A4 That people will quit following me, or I won’t be needed anymore by the organization. Seems almost childish, but it’s me #wegohealthchat
— Deeanne (@spondywolfgirl) February 13, 2018
Q4: That people may suffer from system inefficiencies that I want to fix. #WEGOHealthChat
— John Caruso (@josurac) February 13, 2018
A4: Judgement. From those who don’t understand why I advocate in the first place & those who will judge me for doing self care. They’re probably the same ppl. #WEGOHealthChat
— Angela Cohen (@angelee828) February 13, 2018
A4 One of my members needing me & me not being accessible stresses me out. I always like to keep £10 in a support kitty in case I need to go for coffee to meet up, or get a taxi to them etc, we are a close bunch ini Sunderland and really do care for each other #WEGOHealthChat
— Fluffmeister (@scrufton73) February 13, 2018
Q5: Are there ways to combine your self-care activities with your advocacy activities?
A5: The more you respect yourself, the more others will respect you. Well, it works in my head! and the fact that you can’t pour from an empty glass! #WEGOHealthChat https://t.co/lNzTa6LYMe
— Simon Stones (@SimonRStones) February 13, 2018
A5: One of the #selfcare activities that tends to mesh well with advocacy is my writing. When I write, it benefits my #mentalhealth, makes me feel empowered, and it is also cathartic. #wegohealthchat
— Rie Lopez, MPH (@RieOfLetters) February 13, 2018
A5 (cont’d) I have a blog and I also write professionally, which is a great way to advocate for the things that are most important to me. I did start with a #yogaspoonies group, but then my knee had an accident, so that is currently on hold.#wegohealthchat
— Rie Lopez, MPH (@RieOfLetters) February 13, 2018
A5: Advocate about self-care by doing so and sharing. Tell about the awesome massage you got and how it felt. #wegohealthchat
— Deeanne (@spondywolfgirl) February 13, 2018
Q6: What are simple ways you can make self-care a habit?
A6 : First, it is important to give yourself permission to care for yourself. All too often, we struggle with this step of believing we are deserving of or capable of #selfcare. #wegohealthchat
— Rie Lopez, MPH (@RieOfLetters) February 13, 2018
A6. I like to start my day with a walk with my wife. It gets us fresh outside air that seems to energize the soul. We talk about the upcoming day and make quality decisions together regarding self care and advocacy. #WEGOHealthChat https://t.co/XTG8rTr4fB
— Ken Taylor (@KenRayTaylor) February 13, 2018
A6 After the trial & error phase, we learn what helps & what doesn’t. Take a moment every day to do #selfcare. Some schedule it on the calendar. Find your way of making a habit form & it will become routine✨ #WEGOHealthChat https://t.co/3D9ktD9Xui
— Lisa Davis Budzinski (@lisadbudzinski) February 13, 2018
You can join our #WEGOHealthChats on the second Tuesday of every month at 1pm ET. If you’re unfamiliar with how to participate in a Twitter chat, we created this handy-dandy guide to get you up to speed.
