The Self-Care Prescription takes a smart, systematic, scientifically based approach to self-care, showing you how to enrich your life no matter what your circumstances may be. It offers a careful exploration of your needs and wishes, provides a host of creative new possibilities and choices, and gives gentle instructions for arranging your life in a way that is more in alignment with who you really are. Highly recommended!
Christopher Germer, PhD , author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion , coauthor of Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program
Although it focuses on self-care, The Self-Care Prescription is really a comprehensive guide to creating a full, vibrant, and healthy life. The book is structured so that each reader can create a personalized self-care plan, choosing the areas of life that matter most to them. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is ready to invest even a little bit of time and energy in themselves, and would like a supportive guide along the way.
Melissa Platt, PhD
The Self-Care Prescription is a timely, practical, and much-needed resource for anyone who is feeling drained, overwhelmed, or anxious. Dr. Gobin provides practical steps anyone can take to better nourish their mind, body, and spirit. Her writing is refreshing, action-oriented, and compassionate as she lays out a roadmap to move us out of the stress zone and into more empowered lives.
Thema Bryant-Davis, PhD , author of Thriving in the Wake of Trauma: A Multicultural Guide
Self-care is one of the most important, yet often most neglected, tasks that we must embrace in order to live our richest, fullest, and healthiest lives. In The Self-Care Prescription, Robyn Gobin clearly explains why self-care is critical, the costs of neglecting self-care, and most importantly, how you can take better care of yourself. With a kind, warm, and compassionate tone, Robyn takes care of you as you learn to take better care of yourself. I will be recommending and gifting this much-needed book to family, friends, and clients alike.
Aisling Leonard-Curtin, MS , chartered psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland, coauthor of The Power of Small: Making Tiny but Powerful Changes When Everything Feels Too Much
The Self-Care Prescription is the ideal self-help book for learning to live a life full of growth and engagement. The book has thoughtful exercises, bringing to life the most personally relevant aspects of self-care.
Robyn Walser, PhD , author of The Mindful Couple: How Acceptance and Mindfulness Can Lead to the Love You Want
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ISBN: Print 978-1-64152-393-6 | eBook 978-1-64152-394-3
To Korey and Justice for challenging me to become the best version of myself and filling my life with so much joy.
CONTENTS
Oh, you know, Im okay. Im busy and I havent slept in weeks, but Im making it. This was the response a coworker gave me when I asked how she was doing a few years back. This response has stuck with me, because I think it rings true for many of us. In my years as a therapist, Ive heard clients express similar feelings, and I have certainly felt that way in my own life at times. Like a worn-out T-shirt, our various responsibilities have pulled us in so many different directions that we end up stretched way too thin; were threadbare, with little to nothing of value left to give ourselves. We dream of escaping to sandy beaches and clear waters, but the time never seems to be right to take a vacation. We wear many hatsparent, worker, spouse, son or daughter, sibling, student, and the list goes on. Each of these hats demands a certain level of time, money, and energy that slowly depletes us from day to day.
Self-Care Is Fundamental
Self-care is in the air these days. Youve probably seen a thousand posts about it on social media and heard the familiar phrase dropped in advertisements. Self-care is offered as a remedy for virtually everything. Its a popular recommendation from nearly everyonefrom doctors and bloggers to life coaches and therapists. With most self-care advice, you might be encouraged to get a mani-pedi, treat yourself to a nice meal, take an exotic vacation, or take a long, hot bath. Everyones telling you to take time for yourself , but aside from pampering yourself and me time, what is self-care and why is it so important?
Simply put, self-care means taking care of yourself. But that means more than just treating yourself to occasional luxuries; it means taking responsibility for your well-being in all the important areas of your life. It involves spending dedicated time getting to know who you are and what you need, and then committing to giving yourself what you need to be happy, healthy, and fully present for your life.
When we allow our family, job, and other responsibilities to consume all our time and attentionwithout spending resources on ourselveswe end up physically exhausted, emotionally disconnected from ourselves and our loved ones, and (despite having a whole 24 hours to work with each day) always short on time. When we have the audacity to take a break from it all, we feel guilty, things fall through the cracks, or we just cant seem to stop thinking about all the items that are piling up on our to-do list while were supposedly relaxing.