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  • By padma
  • February 5, 2017

The Paradox of Self Care

The Paradox of Self Care

Recently a new level of intensity may have been added to your already busy schedule when the possibility of the loss of health care for millions of Americans arose.

The paradox exists in taking action now and polishing the virtue of patience to consequently see the long view. How do we do both? First, it’s important to get the facts. This takes time. Second, as my holistic nurse colleague, Trish Rux said, “take your MEDS. Meditation, Exercise, Diet and Sleep.” If you don’t take care of yourself, you don’t have energy or time to be clear about what you can and cannot add to your already busy schedule. So, what does taking your MEDS look like for you? Third, health care has become a partisan issue and requires action. As you contemplate your beliefs and your thinking and action habits regarding the role of government in health care, how will you do it without dropping your MEDS?

The body does not lie. Continue to check your body for sensations that inform you about your comfort with what is happening in your world and in what ways you can show up to have your voice heard.

How do you maintain an inner state of calm and friendliness as you go to work each day with the corporate, independent and social media providing information and disinformation?

Many people want to just go to work and do their job. This works until the issues shoved under the rug make it so bumpy that people trip and fall. It is important for every nurse to be clear about his or her views on the purpose and role of government related to providing health care services.
Take time to discern your beliefs and thoughts on this topic knowing when and where you developed them. Are they relevant today?

Habits affect the quality of our lives and the lives of the people we care for. And like all habits, thinking and belief habits can be changed when they no longer serve. It is still not clear what the Congress will do as it proposes to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act was developed as a compromise in order to provide health care for millions of people and to keep the insurance companies in business. Your answers to the questions, “Is health care a human right?” and “What is the purpose of the federal government?” give you a platform from which you can explore your beliefs and ideas. Is it to provide business opportunities for people and corporations, and/or is it to provide health services for its citizenry and jobs to people? Here you may be faced with a paradox. What are the special circumstances you address with, “Healthcare is a right, but…”? Finishing the sentence is important if you have more to add after the “but”.  What messages are you getting from your body as you think about providing care for people who have no coverage?

Living in paradox means that the world is not actually black or white, good or bad.
We need to stretch to accommodate change in the short term for a positive long-term outcome. This does not become self-sacrifice when you have your MEDS in place. Taking good care of yourself is common sense and is now supported by the Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation initiative. Taking your MEDS will help you to maintain a state of calm, clarity and friendliness. If you don’t have your MEDS in place, you may want to explore what is keeping you from taking them, and then create a plan with accountability built in for setting them up. I experience fear and concern when I hear plans for dismantling the Affordable Care Act without replacing it with Medicare for all. I am taking my MEDS which supports me on every level and I am connecting with others online and in person speaking out on behalf of universal coverage and expanding Medicare for all.

Considering the paradox, and working with the long view and action in the moment, we take time out every Wednesday evening to have a Vitality phone call to de-stress and support your Vital energy and prevent Vital exhaustion. Join us as part of your MEDS regime.

With love, Padma

 

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