By: Christin Everson, MS

I’m not going to start this article by reminding you how awesome it is to be a professional in the fitness/wellness industry. You likely already know that. But what might not be as obvious is that the knowledge and skills we have do not always translate to our own behavior change. We are not immune to the challenges of motivation, stress, sleep, hydration, etc. Knowing what to do and doing it are two different things. It’s easy to forget that we also need additional support, just like our clients. Here are three ways to give yourself more care:

1. Check-In

In our work, we go from client to client and class to class. Giving away our energy in support of others. Always thinking about next week's choreography or brainstorming a creative solution to help that one client. But when was the last time you stopped to check in on your own comprehensive well-being? Consider not just your habits but your mindset, your joy, and your connection to loved ones. Take time to check in with yourself. Consider what’s working and what isn’t, where you need more support or a change.  Ask yourself the questions you would ask a client but with the same empathy and grace that you would extend to them. Take time to check in with your well-being and begin identifying areas that are feeling great and areas that you may need more support in.

2. Set Boundaries

“Sure, I can sub your class,” “Yes, I can take on that client.” Driven by the desire to be busy, support your participants/colleagues, gain experience, or increase your revenue (all of which are extremely valid), we can forget that always being available to others takes a toll on our mental, emotional, and physical health over time. It’s important to set boundaries for yourself. Whether that be the maximum number of classes you’ll teach in a week or the days/hours you block off as unavailable. Identifying boundaries helps you make strategic choices about your well-being and makes it easier to communicate those priorities to others.  Boundaries are also a key element in ensuring you have the time and space to recharge properly.

3. Engage in Hobbies Outside of Movement

For the longest time, when someone asked me what my hobbies were, I said movement or learning about movement. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still one of my favorite hobbies, but it’s not the only hobby I have now. Consider exploring other interests, experiences that bring you joy, or an opportunity to learn something new that’s not required for your job. Engaging in activities that bring you community, connection to others or yourself, joy, or learning can significantly benefit your overall well-being.

Just like all our clients and participants, we need to engage in an intentional review of our current habits and feelings to take stock of what’s working and what isn’t; we need to set boundaries that support our well-being and seek experiences that bring us joy.

Want to give yourself dedicated time to engage in more care for yourself? Take my ACE, NASM and ACSM CEC-Approved digital course Caring for Yourself While Supporting Others.