Recently, I chanced upon an article about the importance of aftercare and thought about it for a few minutes.
It’s a great plan!
I’m not talking about school aftercare, care after hospitalization, or some similar health circumstance. There’s no doubt that these incidents are serious ones.
I’m referring to a self-care plan after undergoing a stressful incident or day, and it doesn’t have to be the brain freeze or body-constriction type of stress.
The thing about aftercare is that we need to plan to neutralize the aftereffects of stressful occurrences. Having a plan is the key.
Aftercare is a great way to implement self-care practices and disciplines into one’s life. Things that are big deals can generate stress: traveling, moving, public speaking, interviews, you name it.
Attending, ushering, or serving in many capacities at funerals is stressful. Yes, we want and have to be there to support friends and family without exception.
After attending my pastor’s homegoing services in the next few days, I have to plan for aftercare. I know it will be stressful, but I know my father’s funeral will be even more so.
I haven’t decided on the specific aftercare yet. I may do nothing at all and binge on movies, my favorite ice cream, smoothie, or all of the above. I know that doesn’t sound very healthy. I may have to skip the smoothies.
Bird watching, shopping, exercising, and eating out are also common destressors.
I love this quote by Anne Lamott, a nonfiction writer and novelist: “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes.”
It’s OK to detach from the stressors and replenish one’s strength and spirit; self-care demands it.
We don’t have to apologize or wait for someone to approve our going offline to refresh ourselves.
A blogger and author Katrina Mayer said, “Loving yourself isn’t vanity. It’s sanity.”
Making an aftercare plan is an individual responsibility. No one can do it for us.
A friend is also a source of stress release. Sometimes letting a friend know before the stressful event that you may need to talk with them afterwards. Having an on-call friend is a good aftercare plan. Spouses can also be good on-call stress decompressors.
A psychiatrist and author, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, said, ”The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, know suffering, know struggle, know loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep, loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
We can help each other as ‘beautiful people.’
Happen aftercare planning.
Plan and do it!
You deserve the benefits and rewards!
Be happy and well.