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Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Dr, Tina Brookes: Keynote Speaker at the 2014 Wisconsin Red Cross Disaster Training Conference.



Steps to Self-Care

Dr. Tina S. Brookes



As care-givers, Red Cross employees and volunteers face many unique stressors and demands that will take a toll over time. At the Wisconsin State Red Cross Disaster Conference Dr Tina Brookes offered a keynote on “Steps to Self-Care”. Dr. Brookes is the CEO of KardiaKeepers and Co-Founder of The Academy-National Institute for Crisis Response Training in NC



Dr. Brookes reminded us that one important step to self-care is realizing that “You Can’t Put the Stink Back in the Skunk!” Too often we spend all of our time focusing on regret for the mistakes that are made instead of using them as opportunities for learning. Dr. Brookes suggested that if we are responsible for a mistake we should  make every attempt to clean up the ‘stink’ and then move on! Sticking around and just smelling bad is no help to anyone!



Dr. Brookes recommended that we make every effort to practice self-care measures daily including partaking of nutritious meals, enjoying light exercise, and purposefully using deep breathing  to relax.  She said to identify now a support group that we can count on to be available for us when we need them.  And, to identify some of our favorite memories that bring us delight and remind us why we do the hard work of caring for others. Dr. Brookes suggested to have the list ready now, before we need it, so we can pull it out later whenever we need encouragement to keep on keeping on!

 
The work of a Red Cross employee or volunteer is significant indeed. We can best support others if we are practicing steps to self-care ourselves!

Dr. Brookes will be teaching  at The Cove Thurs-Sun with Samaritan's Purse.
http://www.thecove.org/home 





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