Self-Care Is Not Only Our Right, It Is Our Responsibility!

Nancy Friedman, M.S.W., R.S.W. - Registered Social Worker

I am very excited to join the team of caring and compassionate professionals at Wellness for the Body, complementing the services to improve physical health with services to improve mental health. I have experience providing individual, couple and family counselling to people of diverse ages, cultures, religions, abilities, sexual identity, orientation and expression to help with any problems hindering their everyday lives. I am result oriented, supporting my clients to achieve their goals as their coach and cheerleader.

Now that we are feeling safe to start traveling again, we will be reminded by the flight attendants before the plane takes off that self-care is not only our right but our responsibility by advising us to put the oxygen mask on ourselves first before assisting those who depend on us.

To achieve overall wellness, it is important to pay attention to each of the 10 domains in our lives:

1. Physical wellness is sleeping 8 hours a day, eating healthy food, drinking 6 cups of water a day, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, following with medical checkups and taking medication as prescribed.

2. Social wellness is having supportive friends.

3. Significant relationship wellness is having a supportive partner.

4. Family wellness is having a supportive relationship with family members.

5. Leisure/recreational wellness is having a variety of activities that are fulfilling and enjoyable.

6. Psychological/emotional wellness is having a variety of different and effective strategies to manage different emotions.

7. Intellectual wellness is having a variety of activities that assist us in engaging in intellectual growth.

8. Spiritual wellness is practicing faith, religion and/or having a sense of purpose and meaning to our lives.

9. Occupational wellness is having a fulfilling paid or volunteer career.

10. Critical incident plan is planning for a “rainy day”.

In order to be successful in achieving our goals, it is important to set concrete steps to allow us to celebrate our progress when you identify goals that are S.M.A.R.T.

Specific – I will go for a walk

Measurable – I will walk every other day

Achievable – I can start this Monday

Relevant to your goal – Physical wellness

Time-Bound – I will walk for 20 minutes

There is no issue too big or too small. Remember, it is never too late to take control of your life and reach out to professionals to assist you in achieving your goals.