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
http://www.thecove.org/home
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