In today's hustle and bustle, amid the demands of work and personal life, prioritizing self-care, mindfulness, and compassion is essential. Knowing this, it was important for me to prioritize a self-care conversation with mindfulness and guided breathing for our last Coach2Coach event in 2023. Alison MacEachern, an art therapist and licensed mental health counselor joined us to discuss mental health topics and practice self-care techniques.
Alison addressed the reality of secondary post-traumatic stress disorder and compassion fatigue, which can be experienced by EI professionals due to exposure to others’ (e.g. caregivers’, children, families) ’trauma. Alison shared her own journey of recognizing burnout signs and the role self-care played in her recovery.
A key tool Alison emphasized for combating stress is mindfulness. She guided us through a relaxation exercise, showcasing how imagination and breathwork activate the body's relaxation response. By being mindful of our thoughts and giving ourselves permission for self-care, we create space for healing.
Throughout our discussion, Alison stressed integrating mindfulness into daily life, even through small acts. From mindfully drinking a cup of tea to sensory experiences like noticing the smell of a flower, she offered practical suggestions for grounding ourselves in the present moment.
What resonated most was Alison's encouragement to suspend judgment and embrace playfulness in self-care. Whether it's making silly sounds or spontaneous movement, these simple moments can actually alleviate stress and prevent it from storing in our bodies.
Alison's insights left me appreciating the significance of mindfulness and self-compassion in navigating everyday challenges. I invite you to reflect on your own self-care practices. How can you integrate mindfulness into your routine? What acts of self-compassion can you prioritize? Remember, nurturing yourself not only prevents burnout but also cultivates resilience for serving others.
You can stream Alison's full interview and do the mindfulness practice along with us as part of the bonus module in our Early Intervention Expert Insights series.
