There’s no doubt about it, Crisis Counseling brings us so much joy. Still, it’s heavy work warranting some necessary self-care. We asked our Community Team what helps make tough times a little less heavy. As you’ll see here, self-care sometimes means taking that bubble bath or buying yourself that special cup of coffee, but it’s often doing the boring, less insta-worthy things that ultimately make a difference. Things like scheduling a therapy session, carving out time to decompress, or investing in relationships that elevate your life can be easy to push off but are also the most important when it comes to maintaining your mental health. Whatever self-care means in your life right now, taking a step today is an investment for your future.

Here are some self-care pro tips from our Community Team:

1. Director of Coaching, Rachel, swears by European shampoo! “I have pretty sensitive skin and hair, and European shampoo has fewer chemicals in it that would otherwise affect me.”
2. Coach Maggy says naps are totally underrated and will grab a snooze when the opportunity arises. She also takes her morning meditation seriously, for a mindful, calming start to each day.
3. Coach Danielle put some limits on her screen-time. “Putting my phone on Do Not Disturb (ICYMI:  this essentially blocks out any notifications you might receive) after 10PM helps me wind down for the night and unplug from technology for a bit,” she shares. This is a great example of something that might be hard to put into practice, but once you’re in the habit, it’s a total gamechanger!
4. Turtlenecks bring Coach Dorothy that warm and snuggly feeling all winter long! Sometimes, it’s the small things, like wearing your favorite sweater, that can make your day brighter.
5. Coach Coe is super into personal development, which is a great way to truly invest in and take care of your wellbeing! He loves anything Danielle LaPorte, especially her Desire Map, which is an emotional approach to goal-setting.
6. User Success Manager, Teddy, is into Buzzfeed Listicles (no matter how cheesy) and exclusively meme Instagram pages. A good laugh can be what does it for you.
7. Coach Kate looks to an endorphins boost during stressful moments. If she’s feeling stressed or like she needs some me-time, Coach Kate goes for a run! If it’s your jam, moving your body is a great way to get to your feel-good place.
8. Our Community Ops Administrator, Chani, wholeheartedly believes that interacting with dogs is the best self-care. Whether it’s IRL or watching cute puppy videos, that’s how she decompresses after a long day.
9. Our Data Scientist, Miranda, says her self-care is making sure she drinks enough water. Baseline self-care (making sure your physical needs are met if you can) is huge, and we love Miranda’s response!
10. Becka, our Chief Program Officer, believes that fully committing to building strong, healthy relationships can be such an asset to your life.
11. Our Head of Community Engagement, Freddie, always has a cozy pair of slippers handy. “Investing in the shoes I honestly wear most of the time is a great way to take care of my body,” they share.
12. Coach Caitlin’s Nutella Almond Butter Cookies bring sweetness to her day! And, the best part: they’re only 5 ingredients (6 if you count cooking spray) and require no special equipment. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Nutella

1/2 cup chunky almond butter

1/3 cup raw sugar

1 large egg, lightly beaten

2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the racks in the upper and lower third of the oven.

Spray two nonstick baking sheets lightly with cooking spray or use a silpat.

In a medium bowl, mix the Nutella, almond butter, cocoa powder, sugar and egg until well combined with a spatula.

Spoon 1 level tablespoon of the mixture about 1 inch apart onto baking sheets. Flatten the mounds with the tines of a fork, making a crosshatch pattern on the cookies.

Bake until golden around the edges, about 8 to 10 minutes, switching the position of the sheets halfway through baking.

Let cool before removing. If you don’t use a silpat, it may change the baking time so I would keep an eye on them.