Earlier today I was on my usual Sunday run. It was the perfect fall running weather; high sixties with blue skies full of vibrant autumn colors.
As I was enjoying my run, my mind began to bounce around from thought-to-thought. I realized that even though I had been feeling quite drained lately, all of the negative feelings and emotions seemed to melt away as I was running. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m a Recreation Therapist, why aren’t I doing this more often?
I’m a Recrecreation Therapist for Goodness Sakes!
I remember hearing my favorite professor talk about her struggles of moving to a new city. She had told the class that she felt “down” due to the isolation she inevitably experienced being away from friends and family. One day when she was feeling particularly sorry for herself, she had caught her sad gaze in the mirror and realized that she could not carry on this way. At this point in the story, she smiled and proclaimed to the class with a sigh of relief “I’m a Recreation Therapist for goodness sakes”!
I preach to my clients all the time that the most fulfilling lives are those full of meaningful leisure and flow experience. However, I often struggle to follow my own words of advice. If the struggle is as real for you as it is for me, I have collected some practical ideas and information on how to Be Your Own Recreation Therapist #BYORT
Inventory Your Life
Let’s take some time to reflect on our current lifestyles.
How Intentional is your self-care?
We all know what self-care is, but do we do it intentionally? Intentional self-care is planned, deliberate and holistic. Let’s litmus test it. Does your self-care:
- Meets our specific needs at the time?
- Reflect your personalities, needs, and strengths?
- Provide for your minds, bodies, and souls?
Are You Your Biggest Advocate?
We are accustomed to advocating for the people who we serve. We see their needs as the highest of importance and we do everything we can to overcome barriers. We are not afraid to ruffle feathers and disagree if it benefits our clients.
The question begs, do you do advocate for yourself the same way?
- Do you say “No” when you are overworked, overtired, overstressed?
- Do you seek the medical, spiritual and holistic support you need it?
- Do you prioritize your life to make your health and wellness #1?
It’s time to also be our own biggest advocate as well.
Are you in Flow?
Here is a link to a recent post talking all about what Flow is all about and are and how you can achieve it in your own life. #believeinthepowerofFLOW
Put Your Mask on First
I remember the first time I flew on a plane. I was going to Toronto with my dad for my 16th birthday. As I buckled up, the bilingual Air Canada flight attendant instructed the cabin that in the case of emergency, place your own oxygen mask on before helping others. Ummm, What about the children and the seniors may not be able to reach the face masks themselves? Why is this woman instructing me to be so selfish?
It took me a few years, and many flights to understand the purpose of this instruction. You are not very much help to anyone if you don’t have oxygen yourself. If our passion in life is to help others, we need to learn how to put our mask on first!
Be Your Own Rec. Therapist Challange
My epiphany snapped me back into the present moment as my feet moved continuously along the sun-drenched path. How can I put this into practice?
I have decided to challenge myself in be more intentional with my self-care and increase flow in my life. Here are three steps I will take to #BYORT this month.
I Heart Yoga
Hot yoga to be exact. I signed up for a month intro Bikram yoga over the weekend and I am super excited to sweat it out and challenge myself in a new way.
Squad-up! Running Style
I am somewhere on the very fine line of introvert and extrovert. Essentially, I love my alone time, but if I want to socialize and there is no one available to do it with that moment, my mind begins its downward spiral of loneliness pretty fast. Running groups provide me with the opportunity to improve my running abilities while also meeting more like-minded potential pals.
Feed that Spiritual Life
I am learning every day that my heart is drawn to the larger purpose that this life we are all living has in store. My goal this month is to attend a spiritual service weekly and research potential ways to get involved to create community in my life.
Bottom Line
1. Listen to the flight attendant and put on your mask first!
2. We study this information. We preach this information. However, it can be difficult to always live this information. Give yourself grace – nobody is perfect.
3. Make flow a priority in your life!
I’d love to hear how you are planning to Be Your Own Recreation Therapist this month. Please share me your #BYORT challenge below!
Me challenging myself to #BYORT on my Sunday Run 🙂
