Overcoming obstacles takes a lot of hard work. But no one has an infinite supply of energy. Balancing great effort with beneficial pause is crucial.

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Consider this

In 2023, researchers at Georgetown University set out to evaluate the effects of a 12-week, online program focusing on mindfulness and self-care practices. A total of 232 participants engaged in the study, where they were given different self-care activities to choose from each week. 

The results showed a notable increase in mindfulness and self-compassion. Participants also reported lower levels of stress, an enhanced ability to manage stress and increased physical activity. The study concluded that the intervention was both effective and feasible, with most participants opting for quick meditation, yoga and other self-care activities.

Reflection questions

1. What does self-care mean to you personally? How has your definition of it changed over time?
   
2. What are your favourite self-care activities — big or small — and how do they make you feel afterward?
   
3. What signs tell you that you’re neglecting your own needs? How do you usually respond when that happens?
   
4. What beliefs (e.g., “I don’t have time” or “I should put others first”) might be holding you back from prioritizing self-care?
   
5. When you regularly care for yourself, how does it impact your ability to show up for others or solve problems more effectively?
   
6. Think about a stressful period in your life. In what ways could self-care have helped you cope better during that time?
   
7. What’s one small act of self-care you could realistically add to your day or week? What might help you follow through with it?
   
8. How do you tend to feel emotionally, mentally or physically when you are consistent with your self-care?
   
9. What boundaries do you need to set — or reinforce — to protect time or space for your well-being?
   
10. If self-care were viewed as an essential part of your problem-solving toolkit, how would you treat it differently?

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Turn ideas into action with these suggested activities from our Resilience Toolbox.

More modules

Module 1. Making your own luck: Lessons learned from a coin flip

Module 2. Improving adaptability: Lessons learned from an absurd Christmas tree

Module 3. Embracing teamwork: Lessons learned from a rogue haybale

Module 4. Leveraging tools: Lessons learned from a poorly chosen sledgehammer

Module 5. Learning humility: Lessons learned from a very brief career as a valet

Module 6. Failing forward: Lessons learned from banshee babies and buttered butts

Module 7. Avoiding shortcuts: Lessons learned from a giant backpack

Module 8. Redefining success: Lessons learned from an idiotic bet

Module 9. Letting go: Lessons learned from a gooey pit of clay

Module 10. Taking responsibility: Lessons learned from trying to catch a train

Module 11. Getting creative: Lessons learned from the toboggan hill

Module 12. Fuelling motivation: Lessons learned from sleeping in a barn

Module 13. Handing over control: Lessons learned from riding in a shopping cart

Module 14. Practising gratitude: Lessons learned from a very special list

Module 15. Prioritizing self-care: Lessons learned from a surprise birthday celebration in the hospital

Module 16. Creating lasting change: Lessons learned from life’s awesome and absurd moments