Many Americans are reporting high levels of stress and anxiety right now. If you’re one of them, it may be a good opportunity to reevaluate your self-care regimen. Self-care didn’t start out as a billion-dollar segment of the beauty industry. It arose in the medical community in the 1950’s and referred to a patient’s ability to perform basic health-supporting activities. Dealing with sick and dying patients was also recognized as a cause of emotional stress, and medical practitioners were found to provide better patient care when they prioritized their own health.
Self-care was adopted in the 1960’s by the Black Panthers, when Black activists recognized that the effects of social inequality and racial bias in the medical system was taking a mental and physical toll on Black bodies. Many activist groups now borrow the airline safety rule “put on your own safety mask before assisting others” to acknowledge that no matter how important your cause, you need to take care of your own health to effectively help anyone else.
Whether you’re stressed from current events, work, or personal concerns, it doesn’t have to be expensive, daunting, or selfish to practice self-care. If you think of it as a preventive measure to avoid burnout and reduce future mental or physical health risks, the importance of prioritizing some of your own needs becomes evident.
Basic self-care looks different to everyone. As a starting place, here are some universal techniques that can help in tough moments:
- Controlled breathing exercises can help lower heartrate and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing muscles to relax. If you find yourself feeling tense and taking shallow breaths, the 4-7-8 breathing technique is a quick way to wind down.
- Prioritize your social networks. Humans are social animals. Spending time with people who appreciate and support you has proven health benefits- and is often fun, too!
- Surrender to transitions. In life, change is the only constant, and change can be jarring. When something changes in your life, recognize that transitions take time to move through, and can’t be rushed. Give yourself some grace as you adjust, grieve losses as needed, and intentionally look for the excitement inherent in new opportunities.
If you’re looking for external support, there are some great local resources in Geneva:
- Family Counseling Services of the Finger Lakes – https://fcsfl.org/
- LGBTQ+ Program at Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes – https://fcsfl.org/lgbtq-program
Geneva-based students, staff, and faculty can also connect to support at Cornell:
- Students can contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) through their website or by calling 607-255-5155. Telehealth appointments are available, so you don’t need to drive to Ithaca to receive care.
- Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (607-255-2673) provides services to benefits-eligible faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows and associates, visiting scholars, and retirees based in Geneva (and their partners/spouses). You just need to be physically located in New York State. Most appointments are via Zoom or phone, and each person is eligible for up to 10 counseling sessions each calendar year. You can make an appointment online or by phone.
When you practice self-care, you’re not only taking care of yourself, but also modeling self-care to those around you, letting them know it’s ok to take care of themselves.
At AgriTech we grow things – including our resilience and ability to adapt to change.
Sincerely,
Anna Katharine Mansfield and Amara Dunn-Silver
AgriTech A.C.E. Council co-chairs