TRINITY FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER
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Self-Care

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We all lead busy, hectic, time-pressured lives these days. Many of our clients admit to feeling as though they are dropping the ball in their marriage, with their kids, with family, and at work. There simply don’t seem to be enough hours in the day to be everything to everyone who needs something from us.
 
This is especially true for those who identify caregiving as a primary function in their relationships. For these folks, it is critical to recognize and honor your personal limits, and know when to step back and exercise healthy self-care. 
 
Recognizing the value of taking good care of yourself and learning how to set boundaries in your life are just a couple of the tasks of appropriate self-care. If the idea of taking good care of yourself seems foreign to you, a caring professional counselor can help you to become aware of—and honor—those needs.

Counseling Insights and Articles About Self-Care:

Self-Care: Six Tips to Recharge Your Mind and Body, by Brian Perry
The Importance of Third Spaces: Creating Balance Beyond Home and Work, by Liza Hinchey
The Life-Giving Quality of Curiosity, by Deb Toering
Our Bodies Knew, by Dave Papandrea
All My Friends Know Their Major; What’s Wrong with ME?, by Sherrie Darnell
The Mind-Body Connection Series: Harnessing a Movement Routine for Mental Well-Being, by Liza Hinchey

Getting to Know Your Inner Critic, by Liza Hinchey
You've Got to Know When to Hold'em—And When to Shut Them Down, by Dave Papandrea
The Mind… The Gut… The Psyche, by Dave Papandrea
Working to Live or Living to Work? What is the Difference and Why Does it Matter?, by Shelley Kruszewski
The Two Faces of Self-Compassion, by Liza Hinchey
6 Steps For Building Resilience And Preventing PTSD, by Dave Papandrea
Finding Christmas Joy, by Tonya Ratliff
Could A Mindfulness Practice Benefit YOU?, by Sherrie Darnell
Moms: Can Your Empty Nest Grow Full Again?, by Deb Toering
You Spot It, You Got It, by Sherrie Darnell
Is It Me?  Maladaptive Coping Strategies in the Fire Service, by Dave Papandrea
The Mind-Body Connection Series: How to Get the Most of Your Sleep, by Liza Hinchey
Why Everyone Can Benefit From A Mindfulness Practice​, by Liza Hinchey

Finding Encouragement In The Small Moments, by Wendy Warner
Your Brain Is Hardwired To Protect You, Not To Be Productive, by Liza Hinchey
Parenting, But It's Not What You Think I Mean, by Liza Hinchey
Is That Bully Still beating You Up?, 
by Deb Toering
An Empowering Approach To Internalized Beliefs, 
by Liza Hinchey
In The Season Of Giving, Let's Remember To Give To Ourselves, 
by Liza Hinchey
Mindfulness - Why It Works, by Liza Hinchey
Shame. The Silent Killer., by Deb Toering
How Do You Define YOU?, by Tonya Ratliff
Social Media Can Be Hazardous to Your Mental Health, by Deb Toering
What Are You Thinking About?, by Wendy Warner

The Need for a Little Quiet in Your Day, by Tonya Ratliff
Who Am I, Really?, by Deb Toering
Self-Care is Not Self-ish, by Tonya Ratliff

Working to Live or Living to Work? What is the Difference and Why Does it Matter?

2/27/2023

 
by Shelley Kruszewski, LCC, NCC
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Shelley Kruszewski is the newest member of the Trinity Family Counseling Center team.  She has completed all coursework required of her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Oakland University, and is scheduled to graduate in the Spring of 2023. Her work at Trinity is under the direct supervision of Tonya Ratliff, LPC, ACS.  In addition to her individual case load at Trinity, Shelley also serves as a co-facilitator of the Walk With Me® Grief Support Group.
Healthy work engagement tends to bring satisfaction and purpose to one’s life.  In fact, a working society admires those that put in the long hours and are seen as productive.  However, when time spent on the job starts creeping into other areas of life, such as with relationships and health issues, it may be time to take a closer look at why one has become so absorbed with work.
 
Working to Live can be described as Work Engagement. These are people that find their work pleasurable, because there is meaning in the job.  The job is part of who they are.  These types of workers tend to have positive emotions at both work and home, which includes being happy, self-assured, and attentive.
 
Living to Work can be described as Workaholism. These are people that have compulsion to do so, because they feel they should always be working.  The job is who they are.  These types of workers tend to have negative emotions at both work and home, which includes being disappointed, irritable, and tense.
 
Decades of research data confirms that those who display signs of workaholism suffer negative long-term effects, including an actual reduction of productivity at work! There is also a strong correlation that personality traits, such as being a perfectionist or having compulsive behaviors, can play a role in even poorer outcomes.
 
Malissa A. Clark PhD, researcher and director of the Work and Family Experience Research Lab at the University of Georgia, describes a workaholic as having these traits:
 
  • Feeling compelled to work because of internal pressures
  • Having persistent thoughts about work when not working
  • Working beyond what is reasonably expected of the worker (as established by the requirements of the job or basic economic needs) despite the potential for negative consequences (e.g., marital issues)
 
Remember, a good work ethic is beneficial to a healthy mindset.  However, if you gravitate towards more negative patterns, a counselor can help process your specific situation. Together, you can determine what impact your work life is having towards your total well-being, and focus on strategies for a renewed balance in life!


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  • Home
  • Areas of Specialization
    • The Counseling Process
    • Christian Counseling
    • Anxiety and Depression
    • Self-Care
    • Relationships and Marriage
    • Grief and Loss
    • Family Counseling
    • Divorce
    • Remarriage and Blended Families
    • Parenting Counseling
    • Children and Adolescents Counseling
    • ADHD Counseling
    • Counseling for First Responders
    • Grief Group - Free to the Community
  • Our Counselors
    • Tonya Ratliff
    • Deb Toering
    • Wendy Warner
    • Liza Hinchey
    • Dave Papandrea
    • Sherrie Darnell
    • Shelley Kruszewski
    • Brian Perry
  • Fees for Services
  • LLC Supervision