Looking after Everyone, including Yourself

Julie Bajic Smith is a well-known psychologist, an experienced researcher and a published writer. In her doctorate research she examined wellbeing in home care workers and her post doctoral research focused on supported decision-making in dementia.

She is more than aware of not only the client’s needs but the of the carer or health care professional as well. Below, she raises some important issues.

Reference Dr Julie Bajic Smith, Wise Care https://www.wisecare.com.au

“As a busy professional, I know how challenging it can be to prioritise self-care. Some days we may feel like we do not even have five minutes to ourselves, and those days we have more free time we can easily let the day slip away without putting much thought into our own needs.

The Jean Hailes' National Women’s Health Survey is an annual national study designed to help us better understand the health information needs and behaviours of women living in Australia. The findings from the survey reported that less than 20 per cent participants found time each day for themselves. This statistic is quite alarming.

Another publication suggests highlighting seven pillars of self-care which include: knowledge and health literacy, mental wellbeing, physical activity, healthy eating, risk avoidance, good hygiene and rational and responsible use of self-care products and services. But, how do we measure our own self-care against those pillars?

When I think about self-care, I think about four aspects. This is helpful when we think about our own self-care and those of our elders

1. Physical
2. Emotional
3. Mental
4. Spiritual

And then in relation to each aspect, I recommend asking yourself questions.

• What currently energises me?
• What saps my energy?
• What would help to energise me more?
• What holds me back from doing things that would help to energise me more?

Some examples of what you might enter into each answer may include

• Physically: eating, drinking, sleeping, exercise, breaks and relaxation
• Emotionally: relationships, intimacy, empathy, processing emotions, balance and safety
• Mentally: time management, creativity, thinking skills, challenge, mental preparation and reflection
• Spiritually: commitment, values, a deeper purpose, prayer/meditation, giving to others, nature and stillness. 
  
  

I have found this approach to be so helpful in my own life.”

Dr Julie Bajic Smith, psychologist https://www.wisecare.com.au