While keeping oneself healthy is very important to being able to help others, self-care can sometimes be overlooked by practitioners.
We asked board members at ACEP to let us know about how they practice self-care so they can be their best selves when serving their clients. Here are their thoughts on the importance of self-care, and the methods they use for it:
Betsy B. Muller, MBA, ACP-EFT, CEHP, CEC:
One of the things that profoundly influenced me to be more curious about EP was how youthful and energetic the ACEP people I met were. I knew they were older than I was, yet there was this healthy glow about them! As I engaged in the certification program, it was exciting to learn that self-care was an essential component of ethical practice. I had previously worked managing a group medical practice where I witnessed the lapse of self-care more often than I liked, which made me extremely uncomfortable. (I remember thinking YIKES – I am the healthiest person in this place and I feel alone!)
Anyway, my own personal self-care practices are rather extensive, but easy. I wrote a book on the subject of energy self-care where I share them in greater detail.
- Daily upon waking 16 ounces of water
- Daily after that water – The 5 Tibetan Rites – energy exercises that invigorate the endocrine system and core strength
- 15 minutes + of journal writing – “morning pages” which includes a physical, emotional and gratitude check-in, dream recollection, free-style writing and creation of a positive affirmation for the day
- At least 40 minutes of cardio or yoga each day.
- A very healthy diet most of the time (I follow weight watchers and I am a 21+ year lifetime member)
- Ample water, human contact, nature and humor throughout the day.
- Invoking Divine/angelic protection and prayer in times when life gets complicated
- A witness consciousness approach to discomfort
- A very strong connection to my canine best friend and spirit guide Gracie, the golden retriever
Mandi Freger, M.Ed., DCEP:
I believe practitioner self-care is critical, and it is very much emphasized in ACEP’s certification programs. In order to be truly effective in whatever you do, having a stabilized presence maximizes success. I oftentimes work in close physical proximity with others. From what we know about biofields, my field can influence another’s and vice versa.
I feel using EP techniques (such as over-energy corrections and setting strong thought intentions to positive outcome-based goals) has helped me to be able to maintain good energy hygiene in my work. From the energy psychology culture, we operate from the premise that thought energy holds a charge. Simply reframing or “flipping” my non-productive thoughts is beneficial in itself. I have also found that the longer I use these techniques over time, the faster and easier it is to self-stabilize. I recommend them to anyone!
Marlene Cameron, MBA, CFA, CPC:
Some of the ways I take care of myself emotionally and energetically on an “almost” daily practice include:
- One hour of a combination of “pajama” yoga and meditation – 40 minutes yoga, 20 minutes meditation and a little tapping. I do this in my pajamas as I work out of a home office and once I get dressed, I feel I should be “at work”.
- Walking outside either at noon or mid-afternoon for 20 – 30 minutes. I live right beside a river with walking paths. This walk also helps to make important decisions.
- If any concerns come up for me during the day, I use EFT.
In addition, I have my own sessions with another energy worker on a weekly basis to help me clear my issues so that I can be present to my clients.
Thanks for focusing on this important topic, in addition to arranging regular ‘swap’ sessions with other practitioners I attend a practitioner inner awareness and development group which is a great way to support each other taking this work forward.