As counselors, we spend most of our time tending to the needs of our clients, which is a wonderful thing. However, I find that people in helping professions often put their own needs on the back burner while they are taking care of others. If we do not take the time to ensure that our own bodies, minds, and spirits are cared for, there is a strong possibility we will begin to experience burnout and have a difficult time doing our jobs well. As the Dalai Lama so eloquently put it,

“In dealing with those who are undergoing great suffering, if you feel “burnout” setting in, if you feel demoralized and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, to withdraw and restore yourself. The point is to have a long-term perspective.”

To read more about my journey toward incorporating self care practices into my life, read my guest blog piece featured on the Milligan Movement blog titled “Why Self Care is So Important and How to Add it to Your Life.”