How We Self Care

Yes, burnout happens to us, too. It’s happened especially this past year, with safety precautions abound, insisting that we all exercise caution. The result was a lack of actual exercise, remaining separate from others for safety’s sake. No meetings, no lunches, no nothing. Socializing with colleagues in the office took the form of interfacing on Zoom, a poor substitute for the real thing. 

The three of us noticed the effects of pandemic isolation in ourselves. Moods were down; energy seemed off; motivation was low. With burn-out as a very real possibility, what were we going to do about it? How could we recoup, regroup and recover? A plan of action was necessary. After all, practicing the notion of self-care that we promote had to be incorporated into our own lives.

The answer was soon found: A weekend getaway! Fully vaccinated and continuing to abide by protective recommendations, we packed overnight bags and hit the road. Dr. Stevie napped in the backseat, occasionally waking to snack on trail-mix or tell us about her latest research findings. Amy served as calm co-pilot, helping me to navigate heavy traffic. Once our destination was reached, we wasted no time relaxing on the sand and in the water. It was clear what had been missing for so long. The feeling of connection restored through some fun in the sun helped each of us experience the benefits of overdue self-care.

Lesson learned: Nurturing ourselves is a critical first step before we can offer anything to anyone else.