Personal shrink tips for taking care of yourself
Psychologists spend a large part of their days listening to the anxieties of their clients. But what about theirs? We asked three psychologists to share their personal tips for dealing with everyday anxieties.
Activate
First of all, moving, preferably outdoors, is essential to reduce stress according to the unanimous opinion of psychologists Geneviève Beaulieu-Pelletier, Janick Coutu and Geneviève Bouchard. It can be simply going for a walk in good company, which they all do, or doing something a little more sporty. For example, Geneviève Beaulieu-Pelletier practices cross-country skiing and bodybuilding.
“Going beyond the movements you usually do, it helps to take away anxiety and tension, it feels so good,” she says.
Relax
The psychologists consulted give themselves moments of relaxation and leisure every day, judging that it is important “to take small moments to settle down in the daily race”, indicates Geneviève Beaulieu-Pelletier. For her, it is to organize evenings with people around her with whom she has positive relationships and to listen to music. For Geneviève Bouchard, it's reading, listening to music or watching television. For Janick Coutu, it's taking a bath without distraction, petting his dogs and writing down his thoughts without filters.
Meditation
< p>Janick Coutu and Geneviève Bouchard also say they do mindfulness meditation. Geneviève Bouchard specifies that for this purpose she uses an application which “offers guided meditations on specific themes (for example, difficult emotions, courage, letting go, self-confidence, etc.), free meditations as well as body scanning exercises”.
Sleep
For her part, Geneviève Beaulieu-Pelletier attaches great importance to her sleep . She gives herself a very specific time at night to go to bed based on her work schedule, because she knows how much she sleeps greatly affects her mood the next day.
Talking to each other
Like everyone else, shrinks talk to themselves internally. “In the most difficult times, I understand that I have to mourn a dreamed and perfect life; that I have to accept that life brings its pitfalls and its problems; and that I have to accept and love my current life,” says Geneviève Bouchard.
Finally, shrinks also talk to their shrinks, because yes, yes, even your shrinks have shrinks. “It's fundamental for me,” concludes Geneviève Beaulieu-Pelletier.
