This week we joyously celebrate with our students who will be graduating and/or receiving their credentials! This is also an important time to remind our students to take care of themselves so they can take care of others and not burnout in their careers. One way to do this is to engage in remaining true to oneself. As discussed in a 2023 Psychology Today article, Psychiatrist Pooja Lakshmin states “that the heart of true self-care is this: Real self-care brings you closer to yourself.” This includes behaviors, feelings, and thoughts that support “the degree to which you feel true to yourself.” Dr. Lakshmin cites a meta-analysis from 2020 that found that “feeling true to yourself is associated with greater well-being and greater work engagement.” There are 4 principles necessary to achieve real self-care that we can share with our students:
- Setting boundaries helps you protect your time and self-esteem and is, therefore, a prerequisite for finding your authentic self.
- Self-compassion helps you set boundaries with yourself, for example, when your inner voice becomes self-critical, guilt-ridden, or perfectionistic.
- Knowing your core values is the keystone of the authentic self.
- Asserting power helps you create community standards that enable true self-care for all.
- Self-knowledge—an awareness of your most vital interests, strengths, temperament, abilities, goals, and values—is essential for decision-making that reinforces your authentic self.
To read more, see below:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/changepower/202312/what-is-the-essence-of-true-self-care
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019188691930577X
Lakshmin, P. (2023). Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness . NY: Penguin Life. pp. 37, 197, 226.
Selig, M. (2009). Changepower! 37 Secrets to Habit Change Success. NY: Routledge, pp. 48-52.
For a list of other self-care options, please see our COE self-care website for resources for faculty, staff, students, and the community at:
https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care/articles-information-self-care
Congratulation to our graduates and credential students, and much gratitude to our college faculty and staff who are instrumental for their success! And may you all remain true to yourselves!
Warmly,
Shari