Anita Ojeda 
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Yes! You need to improve your mental self-care routine! Why? If we don’t take care of our mental health, we can sabotage it.
Want to Improve Your Mental Self-Care Routine?
“You need to take time to care for yourself,” well-meaning people would urge me during Pedro’s cancer year.
“You’re right,” I would say, with a harried expression and vigorous nods of my head. Inside, I had no idea what they meant, and no time to do what they suggested. Pedro’s life hung in the balance, I had a full-time job, and our two daughters needed me.
“It’s important for you to improve your mental self-care routine,” one kindly person told me. “If you don’t, you’ll regret it later.”
I wanted to scream back, “HOW?” But I didn’t have time to engage in a discussion. For over a year, I did nothing to take care of myself, mentally, academically, physically, or spiritually. And I did live to regret it.
Have you ever tried to improve your mental self-care following the advice of a magazine, guru, book, friend, or podcaster? I know I have. And sometimes, no matter how hard I try, the plan just doesn’t work. How long I stick with it depends on how reliable the source. If my Great-Aunt Tilly tells me to do something, and I know she’ll check up on me, I’ll try it once or twice. But if I spend money on a book promising to improve my mental self-care routines, I’ll probably try longer.
In today’s podcast, I’ll walk you through how to apply the Army’s After Action Review process to make changes in your routines. Specifically, how to improve your mental self-care routine. At the end of the podcast, you’ll find suggestions for specific activities to try. If you’ve never listened to the podcast before, I invite you to do so. Episodes usually last fewer than 15 minutes.
Stay tuned over the next few weeks as I approach the 100th episode in the Self-Care Hacks podcast. You’ll have an opportunity to win a great prize!
Show Notes
Army in Training Circular 25-20
Improve your mental (or emotional) health.
Research from the Wexford Group by Margaret S. Salter and Gerald E. Klein on what makes the AAR process effective.
Come Back Next Week
Join me next week when I share ways to apply the After Action Review process to improving your academic self-care routines.
Learn how to apply the AAR process to improving your mental self-care routine! #selfcaresunday #inspirememonday #mentalhealthmonth Click To Tweet- Welcome to the Inspire Me Monday Community! The link-up opens Sundays at 4 pm, Arizona time.
- Link up your family-friendly inspirational posts (no more than two, please).
- Visit the person who links up BOTH before you and after you and leave a comment. This helps keep our community vibrant!
Sounds like I NEED to learn this!
Michele+Morin recently posted…Are You Looking for the Way to a Destination Called Peaceful Rest?
I’ve been working quite actively this year on improving my mental health. I hope it will produce fruit at some point. 🙂 At least it’s helping me stay sane in this season. God, please continue to show mercy.
Lisa notes recently posted…Are We Grateful for Opportunities to Practice Forgiveness? —Grace & Truth Linkup
It seems like the times I need to pay the closest attention to my health–spiritual, mental, physical…are the times when it feels most impossible. Thanks for the reminder and the structure.
Self care is so very important Anita. Thank you for this series.
Bless you,
Jennifer
Tea With Jennifer recently posted…A Tropical Paradise
Yes, your series is an excellent source. I will be listening and reading.
I have learned that if I don’t make my mental self care a priority, I don’t have much to give others. I am continue reminding myself that self care is never selfish. Another great message and podcast, my friend.
Shelbee
Making myself a priority can be so challenging, but I know it’s so important!
Lauren Sparks recently posted…Adieu April: Another Month Has Gone By
Great podcast, Anita!
Lisa Blair recently posted…Renew A Right Spirit Within Me
This is such a timely topic. As our family faces some challenges and changes, I need to make self-care more of a priority. Thanks for the resources to help with this!
Self care is not selfish. Instead, it gives us the stamina we need to carry out the work before us!
Barb Hegreberg recently posted…Reflections on the Psalms by CS Lewis [REVIEW]
I don’t always comment but I appreciate your posts. You come at it from an angle steeped in experience and deep knowledge and you’ve shared many of these tactics with your students. You’re credible and I really appreciate that. Blessings.
nylse recently posted…What Things?