Easy-To-Implement Self-Care Tips Mental Health Professionals Swear By
Easy-To-Implement Self-Care Tips Mental Health Professionals Swear By
By Kelsey Clark | April 12, 2020
Laughter and exercise serve as the two main ingredients in licensed psychologist Dr. Dana Dorfman’s self-care cocktail. “Exercise has been my go-to stress reliever for most of my life — I’m highly dependent on the endorphin rush, the release of physical tension, and the time alone,” she explains. “Like many helping professionals, I’m prone to feeling guilty when I take time away from my other responsibilities to go for a run. But, I’ve learned that my family and patients will actually benefit from my workout.” Additionally, the adage “laughter is medicine” is taken very literally in Dorfman’s case. “I grew up in a family in which humor was not only a highly valued attribute, but one of the predominant coping mechanisms and communication styles,” she explains. “ I rely heavily on this for connection and centering — I need laughter for survival!”
