Office of the President: Self-Care

August 28, 2020

Dear Howard University Community,

As we come to the close of another week and move one step closer to the beginning of theFall, I’d like to take a moment to pause and have us think about self-care. With all of thestress and uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic, coupled with preparations to prepare the campus for the next semester, I am sure many of us have let our own needs take a back burner to work and family. However, I want to encourage you to take a little “me” time for the benefit of your own health and those around you.

From the School of Social Work, please enjoy this sound advice on self-care by Dean Sandra Crewe and Assistant Professor Janeen Cross, who is a licensed clinical social worker. Please reflect upon it, act upon it and be well!
 
Excellence in Truth and Service,
 
Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA
President

The Importance of Self-Care
Janeen Cross, MSW, DSW, LICSW, LCSW-C.
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Sandra Edmonds Crewe, Ph.D., MSW, ACSW
Dean and Professor of Social Work

 
Greetings Howard University Community,

How are you? Are you practicing self-care? If not, there is no better time than now to start. Self-care is especially important as we enter this academic year and face the unique challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. And the pandemic is exacerbated by health disparities, racial violence, persistent racism, and social unrest. For this reason and more, it is extremely important that each member of the Howard University community invests in self-care. Relieving stress is one of the most important things that you can do, particularly during these times. Failing to address unhealthy stress can result in chronic, severe health and mental health problems as well as add strain to both interpersonal and interprofessional relationships.  

Self-care is especially important to all of us and it is crucial for our mind and bodies. Because of the unusual times, many are experiencing stress, grief and loss at personal, family and community levels. Additionally, a change in established routines such as working remotely can take its toll of our health and mental health if we fail to practice self-care. We can reduce the stress that we are experiencing through practicing self-care. While there are many definitions, self-care is a broad term that generally focuses on intentional, actions aimed to improve physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The importance of self-care is that it allows us to step away from life’s challenges.  It can serve to recharge us and help to establish a more positive mindset. Self-care helps us to cope with the inevitable stressors that we all face—now more than ever and restores thework-life-school integration needed for us to thrive.

In order to experience your best life, planning and taking time to relax and reflect are especially important. One of the most positive aspects of practicing self-care is that you design a plan that uniquely works for you. Think about the times in which you are the most at peace, happy, and/or relaxed. Now you get to identify the activities that will support these feelings or state of well-being. Some examples of self-care include walking outside, breathing exercises, drinking water, reading, journaling, hobbies, cooking, watching movies, exercise, stretching, good nutrition, baths, listening to music, creating music, art, crafts, and more much. Also, getting that needed health check-up is also self-care.  Additionally, self-care can also include taking breaks, personal days, vacation days, staycations as well as more traditional vacations. The essential element of self-care is that the activities reduce stress, improve mood and are directly related to physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. 

A well-known challenge to practicing self-care is the belief that there is no time to incorporate these activities in daily or weekly routines. Many will argue that you are too busy to take time for self-care. We counter that the time devoted to self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity to be your best self. One way to view it, is that good self-care does not take away from your time but benefits the work-life-school integration. This is done by improving your capacity and output by strengthening your mind and body.  Sometimes practicing self-care includes disconnecting for an identified time period. This could mean highlighting priorities and establishing times to “not” check emails, text messages, social media, etc.  Additionally, being tethered to excessive negative input such as the news, social media, and toxic relationships can be sources of stress that require adjustment to maximize self-care. 
 
Practicing self-care is not the same as prioritizing your needs over others---it is more of prioritizing your needs so you can be at your best to tackle your other responsibilities. It means that you may have to say a conditional yes, carefully consider requests from others, and sometimes say a polite “no, thank you.” 

Howard University’s core values are excellence, leadership, service and truth. Self-care provides a means to achieve these values as a scholarly community. While one size does not fit all, there is a size for you.  Before we begin this academic year, consider life-style choices and individual relaxation activities that you can embrace. And, don’t forget to check in with others to make sure that they are doing well and practicing self-care. Buddy-systems can be very beneficial.

We will all benefit from each of us engaging in the practice of self-care. We are looking forward to you being your best self in the new academic year!
                                                                                                                                               
  

SUGGESTED SELF-CARE RESOURCES
 

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