SELF-CARE SUMMER

Something I always include in my massage therapy training is a section on the importance of practitioner self-care. I make recommendations to stretch and hydrate, nourish and rest, strengthen the body, and find joy, in an effort to maintain ourselves for the demanding work that massage entails. But the reality is that self-care goes beyond bubble baths, body mechanics, and meditative practice. It is about cultivating the kind of life and practice we truly deserve and need to survive and thrive.

This is something I have struggled with. I have been a massage therapist for over twenty years. I have worked full time, performed thousands of massage therapy sessions, and only taken substantial time off to have surgery or a baby. And the reality is, I do not always follow the advice I share. I do not drink enough water, nor always get 10,000 steps. I do not stretch between clients and only do yoga sparingly. I often leave work to go be busy doing other things: teaching, bookkeeping, marketing, and, of course, being a mom. Sometimes at the end of the day, it takes every ounce of my energy just to shower and collapse into bed. When one is firing on all cylinders, something has to give, and it is usually the things we do for ourselves. I often think that next month, I will try harder. I will eat more protein and cut back on sessions. But next month turns into next year, and before you know it, here we are. Burnout is real. Exhaustion is deep. Frustration and self-loathing are quick to follow.

What we really need is to redesign how we work. I know it is easier said than done. Bills are due, life is expensive, and it can be hard to say no to a potential booking. But if we craft a schedule that better supports us-our sleep, our output of energy, our personal life-we will be healthier physically and mentally in the long run. Maybe it's time for change.

I recently experienced this when I closed my large day spa after 19 years last fall. Due to some circumstances beyond my control, it was time to close that chapter. While it was unexpected, downsizing into private practice helped me re-evaluate my priorities. I no longer work Sundays and take full weekends off during my son’s hockey season. I have adjusted my schedule to include more half days, so I have time to enjoy things without burning out. I also no longer have the post-massage heavy bookwork required to run a large business, giving me more time at home to relax. It has been a game-changer.