Self-Care Nights™
Self-Care Nights™ are individual or group Integrative Health Occupational Therapy sessions, focused on Health Management, which is recognized as a distinct Occupation by the American Occupational Therapy Association and are designed to provide a safe space for revitalization and inner balance. Through self-care practices, incorporating Integrative Health techniques, the participants focus on self-care and acquire skills experientially to enhance their mental resilience and well-being.
Self-Care Nights™ are standalone and adaptable to the needs of each individual, group or community, offering immediate relief and personal empowerment. Furthermore, they can serve as a means of enhancing teamwork and bonding in professional settings, such as for therapists in Special Education Clinics and professionals in other companies, agencies and organizations.
Self-Care Nights for Professionals™
The daily demands and the high level of responsibility that professionals, especially those working in supportive professions, often lead to mental and physical fatigue and even burnout. The Self-Care Nights for Professionals™ offer an experiential session, serving as a common meeting space to de-stress, re-energise and engage in practices aimed at promoting their well-being, both on a personal and professional level.
Themes of the Self-Care Nights™
The sessions of the Self-Care Nights™ are based on Integrative Health practices and techniques and include:
- Guided Imagery
Guided Imagery contributes to relaxation and stress relief, as well as to the strengthening of positive emotions.
- Mindfulness
Mindfulness techniques help manage stress, cultivate concentration and enhance mental balance.
Self-Care Nights™ for Team Bonding
The Self-Care Nights for Professionals™ are offered for team bonding in professional settings, such as therapy centres, schools, parent and guardian associations, sports/cultural/artistic and other associations, language schools, social organisations, businesses and companies, where employees need empowerment and development of team spirit. Through hands-on activities and joint self-care experiences, the participating professionals have the opportunity to strengthen their communication and cooperation, creating a more supportive and harmonious work environment.
Βιβλιογραφία
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2023). Complementary health approaches and integrative health in occupational therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(Suppl. 3), 7713410200. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.77S3001
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (4th ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(Suppl. 2), 7412410010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S2001
Barnett, J. E. (n.d.). Psychological Wellness and Self-Care as an Ethical Imperative. American Psychological Association.
Barnett, J. E., Baker, E. K., Elman, N. S., & Schoener, G. R. (2007). In pursuit of wellness: The self-care imperative. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 38(6), 603–612. https://doi.org/10.1037/0735-7028.38.6.603
Collins, M. H., & Cassill, C. K. (2021). Psychological wellness and self-care: An ethical and professional imperative. Ethics & Behavior, 32(7), 634–646. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2021.1971526
Katsiana, A., Galanakis, M., Saprikis, V., Tsiamitros, D., & Stalikas, A. (2021). Psychological Resilience and Burnout Levels in Occupational Therapists in Greece. An Epidemiological Nationwide Research. Psychology, 12, 84-106. https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2021.121006
Kyriazos, T., Galanakis, M., Katsiana, A., Saprikis, V., Tsiamitros, D., & Stalikas, A. (2021). Are Resilient Occupational Therapists at Low Risk of Burnout? A Structural Equation Modeling Approach Combined with Latent Profile Analysis in a Greek Sample. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 9, 133-153. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2021.96012
Laposha, I., & Smallfield, S. (2022). Self-care: An occupational therapy student perspective. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.26681/jote.2022.060105
Lubas, M. (2017, April 25). Holistic OT and self-care: Holistic Occupational Therapy Community. Holistic Occupational Therapy Community | Integrating Complementary and Integrative Health Care, Prevention & Wellness. https://holisticot.org/holistic-ot-and-self-care/
Norcross, J. C. (2018). Psychologist Self-Care and Renewal. National Register of Health Service Psychologists.
Vadnais, E. (2021, August 17). OT scope with Integrative Health: Holistic Occupational Therapy Community. Holistic Occupational Therapy Community | Integrating Complementary and Integrative Health Care, Prevention & Wellness. https://holisticot.org/ot-scope-with-integrative-health/
Vadnais, E. (2017, April 25). What is guided imagery?: Holistic Occupational Therapy Community. Holistic Occupational Therapy Community | Integrating Complementary and Integrative Health Care, Prevention & Wellness. https://holisticot.org/guided-imagery-ots-can-tap-persons-inner-wisdom-health-healing-wellness/
Vogtmann, J. W., & Provident, I. (2021). Building Stress Resilience and Wellbeing: Introducing Mindfulness Training to Reduce Stress in Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Students. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 5 (4). https://doi.org/10.26681/jote.2021.050417
Wilcock, A. A., & Hocking, C. (2015). An occupational perspective of health. SLACK Incorporated.
WHO guideline on self-care interventions for health and well-being. (2022). World Health Organization. August 14, 2024, https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/357828/9789240052192-eng.pdf
Testimonials
A very nice experience.
Especially the mindfulness part, which I use in my daily life, is something that almost everyone needs and can benefit from.
I can't help but appreciate someone who tries to demonstrate this practice and inform people who may not be aware of it. There is still a long way to go, but through such services, we are moving in the right direction!
The content of this publication has not been approved by the United Nations and does not reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or Member States.