In the podcast episode "Intervening Vs. Preventative Self Care" of "Take a Mental Load Off," the hosts discuss the importance of balancing immediate, emergency self-care with ongoing, preventive self-care. The episode begins with an anecdote about a mother celebrating finally getting out of the house with her kids, highlighting how easily self-care can be neglected.
Shauna shares a personal story about managing life with young children while her husband worked multiple jobs, leading to exhaustion and an ADHD diagnosis. The couple struggled with different approaches to self-care: her husband preferred working until complete burnout before taking breaks, while she advocated for regular, less intense breaks to avoid burnout.
Their counselor introduced the concept of two types of self-care: intervening, where one takes a break only when completely burnt out, and preventative, where one incorporates regular, small acts of self-care to maintain well-being. Examples include daily gym visits, social outings, and manageable household tasks.
Shauna & Rachel emphasize that recognizing and practicing preventive self-care can prevent the need for emergency interventions and promote overall mental health. They encourage listeners to find what recharges their batteries and to balance efforts to avoid burnout.
