13. The Importance of Self-Care with Recreational Therapist Shaunna Nordstrom

November 17, 2020

Shaunna Nordstrom

Recreational Therapist

17 November 2020
Health & Fitness

Self-Care and Relationships

Recreational therapist Shaunna Nordstrom has worked in residential treatment centres, mental & behavioural hospitals and rehab facilities. She provided services to patients of all ages before leaving the profession to become a full-time mom. We discuss the importance of self-care and Shaunna reveals how her background in recreational therapy has helped with the various relationships in her life, including with her three children.

Benefits of Recreational Therapy

Discover what’s missing

Where’s the need? What in my self-care am I lacking? Rec therapy could be right for you if (like one of Shaunna’s clients) “you’ve been so busy that you don’t know what your likes and interests are anymore”.

Greater autonomy

And greater control of your life. Develop the skills to be able to do it on your own. Learn to plan, set and reach your goals.

Better quality of life

Essentially this is what it’s all about. Activity-based learning to enhance your quality of life.

Is rec therapy like physical therapy? Is it play therapy? Is it music therapy? Art therapy? It’s a little bit of everything. We focus on holistic health and what’s going to ultimately get us the best quality of life.

Shaunna Nordstrom

Create Time for Yourself

Self-care needs to be an essential part of all of our lives. If this is something you’ve struggled with in the past, that’s alright. Today you can do things differently. Give yourself the gift of a fresh start…

Schedule your self-care time

How much time do you need for self-care?

Everyone’s different. Take a few minutes to imagine what your ideal self-care routine would look like...

How can you make sure it happens?

Making yourself a self-care schedule is important. “Now this time is blocked out. Nothing else can take this time”.

Create your ideal self-care routine

How much time do you need?

Do you need 30 minutes every day? Do you need more? Do you need less?

Schedule that time (daily, weekly)

Yes, put it in your calendar right now.

Plan what you’ll do during that time

Shaunna has found that if she doesn’t plan what she’s going to do during her “me time”, it no longer really fulfils her self-care needs. If she doesn’t plan anything fun for herself, she might just get some of her to-do lists done and it’s no longer as therapeutic.

Make it happen!

Yes, you can do this! And the time to start is now.

If you’re not taking care of yourself, how are you really going to be happy? And then how are you going to be able to help other people as well? You have to take care of yourself first to be able to the help others.

Shaunna Nordstrom

Fitness Tips

Exercise every day. Or just move—as recommended in Episode 3 of the podcast.

Exercise every day. Even if it’s walking, even if it’s low impact… anything to boost your endorphins is really helpful.

Shaunna Nordstrom

Movement as part of your daily self-care routine

Brainstorm 10 ways you could move more in your life...

Rec therapy is basically bringing about self-care and taking care of yourself. It’s figuring out: where’s the need? What in my self-care am I lacking?

Shaunna Nordstrom

Inspiration

The Book of Mormon

And we’re not talking the musical! Shaunna recommends these scriptures as inspiration for everyone. Yes, even for those of us who are decidedly secular (like me). I’m all for being open-minded and exposing yourself to different philosophies. So, why not give it a read?

Style Notes

Yoga pants are Shaunna’s must-have article of clothing.

Listen to the full episode

Hear how the “yoga pants” Shaunna was wearing when we chatted had… turned into shorts!

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About ALSO in PINK

Welcome to the ALSO in PINK podcast with host Alexandria Lawrence, a certified KonMari consultant, personal stylist and specialist in biophilic interior design.

ALSO in PINK offers candid conversations with industry leaders and influencers, clients and friends, about what it means to live well.