Stephenie Craig, Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in emotional/relational health, is back again with co-hosts Chris and Christy to dive further into the subject of anxiety. Stephenie defines self-care and the need for it in both women AND men. Often, taking time to care for yourself feels selfish or there's just no time when dealing with the complexities of managing a family living through childhood cancer. Stephenie reminds us there is nothing selfish about taking care of ourselves, because we can't take care of others if we don't take care of ourselves. Our bodies need rest, hydration, and fuel. Sometimes, the simple things are the first things we neglect when we're facing a crisis. Stephenie shares a strategy for mapping out self-care within your family dynamic. Rather than focusing on major life changes, she encourages us to determine simple steps we can take to manage our self-care. These small goals aren't put in place as another potential source of shame but to provide opportunity to celebrate progress. Mastering self-care will not only improve our health, but sets a powerful example for our family members to do the same. Finally, Stephenie shares tips for avoiding secondary problems by choosing healthy coping mechanisms.
