"I know self-care has to be an everyday practice. It is the small practices of listening to inspiring voices while I'm driving, engaging in a belly laugh with a peer, a small internal prayer as a transition between small tasks, dancing to the beat of my own drum while walking, or verbally stating my gratitude in moments of distress." - Kimberly Bass, LCSW (Faculty)

"The Greek word for wellness is ευεξία. It refers to a state of good health and overall balance in life. Considering all aspects of health when thinking about wellness, it is easy to identify what I try to do in my life in an effort to care for myself. It's also important to acknowledge that loving and caring for one's self is one of God's intentions for us; He identifies our value, and when something is valued in such a way, it should be cared for and loved in that way. ("...you are of more value than many sparrows" [Matthew 10:31]).

"I have learned that the best way to care for myself is to think about where I want to be, and to meet myself where I am right now. Establishing a balanced, structured, and flexible routine that supports my mental, physical, and spiritual well-being creates an environment of care for me. I challenge myself to slow down and embrace moments of stillness, reminding myself that there are times when doing “nothing” is natural and necessary. These types of pauses allow me to recharge and avoid burnout. 

"To fill my energy bucket, I engage in a consistent workout routine to maintain good physical health and practice healthy coping skills. Staying active is important to me and gives me the energy I need to care for others. Another important example of self-care practice for me is my Orthodox Christian faith. Immersing myself in this ancient faith in a modern world really helps me care for my soul. Remembering that wellness is obtaining overall balance in life, I encourage students to take a holistic approach, starting with a self-awareness that will lead to an understanding of what will nurture their mind, body, and spirit.” - Dr. Sylvia Bekele, LSW, LCSW (Asst. MSW Director)

"For me, self-care means living in alignment with my values. Meaningful work can be difficult. Being clear about my values helps bring clarity and a sense of purpose when I am feeling overwhelmed. Finding ways to pursue my values gives me direction in my work and allows me to find a deeper sense of joy at home and in my community. Lately, this has looked like putting the phone away for the night, checking in with those around me that need support, and bringing mindfulness practices to everyday routines like morning coffee and stroller walks.” - Brie Bernhardt, LCSW (BSW Class of 2014; Adjunct)

"I have found making a self-care plan for each emotion has helped me be aware of what I most need across various feelings. Being aware that getting energy out while angry, through workouts, versus a warm cup of tea, while sad, can help me self-regulate more quickly. I have also reminded myself that self-care can be as simple as a 3-minute Headspace app mindfulness audio.” - Laura Bilger, LCSW (BSW Class of 2016)

"Self-care is a journey, something that evolves over time. One thing that I have learned about self-care is that it hinges on our ability to be balanced. Whether that means caring for our body through our physical health or caring for our spirit and soul through dedicated time with the Lord each day, self-care means remembering that we are created as whole beings meant to live a rested and integrated life.” - Amaris Daniels, MSW (BSW Class of 2020; Advisory Board Member)

"As busy as life is, at times it can feel like there is no time for self-care. When I feel extra overwhelmed, I use a series of mindfulness questions to help me be more present in each moment. These contemplative questions include reflecting on what I noticed throughout the day that brought me joy, sitting with my thoughts, and identifying what I am grateful for. I also enjoy listening to worship music, connecting with those who encourage my soul and Bible study. Being in nature and seeing God's beautiful creation also brings me peace.” - Christyn Dodla, LCSW (BSW Class of 2000; Faculty)

"For me, self-care is self-compassion, and I do this by time in prayer and time in the scripture.” - Dr. Paul Felker (BSW Class of 1991; MSW Director)

"Self-care is about creating rhythms that sustain and restore. Establishing a well-balanced routine, including making the bed, morning devotions, and exercise, is what helps ground me for the day ahead. Taking time throughout the day for movement, reflection, and connection can nurture both my body and soul. Whether it’s seeking the peace of water, the beauty of a bouquet of flowers, the joy of laughter, the renewal of a walk, or the grounding of gratitude, caring for ourselves allows us to show up more fully for others. Prioritizing breaks and meaningful moments with loved ones helps to ensure that I don’t just pour out, but also refill." - Leslie Gregory, LSW (BSW Class of 1988; Chair)

"As social workers, self-care is so important to sustaining our well-being both 'in the moment' in our work, and also over the long haul. We need to develop practices that we can use in our day-to-day experiences, when we're with clients in individual sessions, running groups, or in any spaces where we're hearing stories or witnessing the impact of trauma and adversity. Our roles often require us to be present and hold space for people who are on a healing journey. We may have experienced our own adversities and be on our own healing journeys as well. The self-care plans we establish are so important for sustaining us holistically, personally and professionally. I use a 'self-care' plan, much like the 'safety plan' that Dr. Sandra Bloom introduces in her book Creating Sanctuary. I use internal and external practices that I can turn to in the moment as needed, including: mindfully reciting a prayer or mantra, visualizing a place where I feel safe, breathing exercises, movement, shifting my position, feeling my feet on the floor, and drinking cold water. These are some examples of practices that may work to help people ground and regulate in the moment. This kind of individual self-care plan can be expanded at any time. I also use practices that can sustain my well-being over time. These include: spending time with friends and family - people who I can relate to, who I have fun with, and who engage in mutual support. I also spend as much time outside & in nature as possible: walking, hiking, camping, swimming. I love music, dance, and art, and find that the arts provide a space for connection, peace, and healing.” - Joy Bowman Lim, LSW (BSW Class of 1995; Adjunct)

"Self-care is taking time to breathe and rest. It is found in the slowing, when the hustling and bustling cease. It is finding your unique balance between solitude and community, recognizing their held value when practiced intentionally. Self-care begins with quieting the noise around you to silence the noise within you — then, you will begin to understand what it is you truly need. Self-care is not a cliche ritual, nor is it universally defined. It is the lifelong practice of tuning into yourself to recognize what distinctively maximizes your energy and what depletes it. It varies from person-to-person and may change according to life circumstances. As helping professionals, identifying creative ways to preserve your energy in service to others is a significant practice of self-care. This may mean strategizing meeting times with clients or colleagues, carving out time before and after interactions to engage in small yet meaningful breaks including deep breathing exercises, listening to a podcast, or engaging in laughter to release endorphins and re-ground yourself to the present moment.” - Cionie Lum, MSW (BSW Class of 2021; MSW Class of 2024)

"I once had a wonderful supervisor early in my social work career who taught me a lesson I still think about quite often. After a particularly draining session, I told her, 'This is just too much. I’m not going to trivia tonight.' I was part of a weekly trivia league at the time. She paused and said, 'Khalil, your client needs you to go to trivia tonight.' And something clicked. I realized that taking care of myself isn’t separate from the work- it’s essential to it! If I want to show up for my clients in healthy, forward-moving ways, I have to be able to show up for myself. Today, I try my best to schedule my work around my health needs, not the other way around!  Making time for movement, like going to the gym, and doing things I genuinely enjoy helps me stay grounded and continue providing care I genuinely feel good about" - Khalil Martin, LCSW (Class Of 2019: Adjunct)

"Spending quiet time alone and quality time with my village are my go-to practices for renewing my strength.” - Dr. Dianna Montgomery, LSW (Faculty)

"Self-Care is like a gas tank. It is much easier to care for a tank that is half full, putting money in regularly, returning the tank to its best, compared to the exhaustion of caring for a tank that is half empty, constantly racing to prevent it from running on fumes.  When caring for a tank that is half empty, crisis often arrives, despite our efforts, by which point many warning signs are sorely minimized, dismissed, or ignored. When in crisis, we are more likely to make poor decisions, for both ourselves and others. Choosing three values is one way to reorient and prioritize when life is pulling us in different directions. Are we showing up as our authentic selves? What values are we choosing to live by? Are we caring for a tank that is half full or half empty? Self care is often learned by failing forward; through many mistakes, learning what works and what does not, making necessary changes along the way.”  - Anna Reid, LCSW (BSW Class of 2015)

"Self-care is more about intentionality than anything else. There is no right or wrong way to care for yourself, as long as you are intentional about it. A bubble bath or trip to the nail salon isn't going to leave you feeling refreshed if you don't make it a point to relax and calm your mind during the experience. Self-care is an individual experience, and you can choose what feels right to you!" - Heather Stube, LCSW (BSW Class of 2002; Advisory Board Member)