Work Care, Self Care: A Perspective from a First Month Intern

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During my first month as an intern I've realized work care is just as important as self care if you want to maintain a healthy work life balance and put your best foot forward in all that you do. To do that, during my first month at Piedmont Music Therapy communication, hydration, and flexibility have allowed me to take extra care in my work during internship. I’ll explain further:

• Communication: Life is life. We all have things, and we all need grace from one another. I have realized being here daily that communication can take you places. Honest and frequent communication allows others to know what I need and ensure that my voice is heard. Don’t be afraid to speak up, you may get more than you thought you needed!

• Hydration: While this can seem like a self-care tip, drink water during the work day! Not only will it keep you hydrated, which does take care of you, it will keep you energized as you invest your time into your work as you return to the office.

• Flexibility: We all changed the way we planned, our schedules, and our ways ofmeeting, and now it may be all changing again. Well, that’s okay! As I get further into the journey as an intern the theme is always remembering to be flexible. Being flexible in life is a huge way to continue to keep yourself calm and open to the ways in which things can ebb and flow.

Self-Care is really a personal journey and looks different for everyone. A good and consistent self-care routine allows me to continue to be my best and put my best into my work.

As I return to work, concerts, weekend festivals, active therapies, and more, always remembering to take time for myself is top priority. A few ways I’ve done that are good sleep habits, a good diet/exercise routine, and doing something I love that is just for me. I’ll explain further:

• Sleep Habits: This one seems simple but is often overlooked. Sleeping is critical to good brain and heart health. Allowing your body an adequate and sound night’s sleep will keep you fresh during your workday task, and aid in mental wellness, and physical wellbeing. Month one has taught me all the late nights in quarantine aren’t sustainable. Sleep is a very healthy way to ensure we take care of ourselves.

• Diet/Exercise: I have found that at least 30 minutes of concentrated activity a day has improved my mental wellness and helps me keep healthy heart functions. The old saying is, “you are what you eat.” As my days get longer, and my activity increases, remembering that what I feed my belly will feed my mind! Putting good things in will only increase the positive that comes out.

• Do it for you: Finding something that is just for me, has been the best part of my self care routine! I personally love having time all to myself, and having a balance in my busy schedule as an intern for time to serve myself and my wellbeing has been crucial to keeping me happy with what I do on a day to day basis. This can be anything, but making sure it is personal for myself, to do good things for myself, and will allow me a reprise from my daily work routine.

As we all continue to journey into the rest of this year, and back into an in-person life, I really do hope these six keys I’ve come to learn in my first month as an intern to are a springboard for ways to take care of yourself during the rest of your 2021! Here’s to wellness in all that we do!