Self-care Is More Important Than Ever - The New York Community Trust

May 6, 2021 | By The New York Community Trust

Self-care Is More Important Than Ever

OUR COMMITMENT TO MENTAL HEALTH: The Trust has called on Vibrant Emotional Health to help New York respond to crises for more than two decades. Our support has helped the organization serve on the frontlines in New York, including in the aftermath of September 11th, the Great Recession of 2008, and superstorm Sandy—and, of course, COVID-19.

Kimberly Williams, the president and chief executive officer of Vibrant Emotional Health, offers some tips to help us navigate the mental and emotional challenges brought on by the pandemic.

“With the support of The Trust, Vibrant expanded its services to provide nonprofits with the tools they need to help their workers manage the increased anxiety of the past year. We particularly targeted front-line staff of social-services providers to make sure they are doing well themselves before they try to help others do well.

We’re also helping everyday New Yorkers address the profound effects of the pandemic on their mental and emotional health.

Whether your job is to help others or you are attending to your own loved ones, a critical and often overlooked tool for any caregiver facing stress is self-care.

REMEMBERING THE BASICS

Here are a few basic tips to maintain your wellness: eat a healthy diet, add movement or exercise to your routine, get enough sleep, and set aside time to relax. And, remember to include something in your day that brings you joy, or just makes you laugh.

Your surroundings also can affect you, so take time to clean, organize, and beautify your work and living spaces. And, spend time with people you care about—but make sure you aren’t spending too much time reviewing what’s causing you stress.

Connecting with colleagues about more than work is also important. Find time to have some fun together, because the usual in-person banter that happens normally at work is missing.

From my own experience, I can tell you that parents are under more stress than usual. Parents need to find some time, even if it is five or ten minutes, to do something that makes them feel good. If that means waking up a little early or going to bed a little later, it will be worth it.

CARING FOR OTHERS

Teenagers are particularly challenged now because socialization is so key to their development. They are wired to be with other people. Parents should not be afraid to talk frankly about emotional health with their kids, as it’s unlikely that they will open up without being asked. As parents, we can help them find ways to engage with their peers, even if it is not in the typical way.

Many older family members were isolated even before the pandemic, and are more so now. You may want to check in to see how you can be supportive and to help make sure that they are connecting with others. The social isolation that many have been dealing with is quite daunting.

While all of these actions are relatively easy to do, they are also very easy to overlook. I hope that whatever your personal situation is, you will take a moment to take stock of your own well-being. By making a few adjustments, you’ll be able to lessen your stress and reset your equilibrium.”