Self-Care is not selfish

Written By Dr. Jennifer Martin-Schantz

When you think of self-care, what comes to mind? I can’t do that, I don’t have time for that, or I can’t even think about it. Most people think they don’t have time for self-care. I am here to share, you actually do have time.

Self-care is about carving out time in your day, week or the weekend for you. If you like to schedule your days or weeks, this is the time to pencil in self-care. Having a visual hand written note or a calendar notification, may help inspire you to carve out that much needed self-care time.

I often hear from my patients that self-care is selfish. I am here to remind you, it is not selfish. It is much needed down time and “un-plug time.” There are many things you can do for yourself that include self-care, such as a walk outside, drink a nice hot coffee from your favorite local spot, time to read your favorite book, or hand write someone a note. You decide, that is what self-care is about.

Dr. Jennifer Martin-Schantz

Dr. Martin-Schantz is a passionate clinician in the field of clinical psychology. She received her Psy.D. in Applied Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

In her clinical work, she delivers Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Eye movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She is trained in EMDR recent traumatic event and group protocols. Dr. Martin-Schantz specializes in trauma, caregiving, self-care and diabetes and mental health.

Dr. Martin-Schantz was an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Hope International University, where she taught graduate and undergraduate psychology and marriage and family therapy students from 2014-2020. Currently, she is on the planning committee of the Diabetes + Mental Health annual conference and was faculty at this year’s conference where she presented on the Trauma of Diabetes.

https://www.diabetestateofmind.com
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