From the Desk of CEO Judy Halper: January 2021
10 months into pandemic, keeping focus on self-care is important
It is difficult to believe that most of us have been living a “dialed back” life for 10 months. We have put off vacations and celebrations, avoided crowds and busy stores, and become experts at do-it-yourself haircuts and manicures. We have safely maintained contact with our loved ones (virtually, or communicating through open windows and doors), conducted our exercise outdoors or at home instead of gyms, and we’ve renewed our interest in activities that can be done at home, outside, by ourselves or with our “bubbles.” We are building our resilience muscles, and we’re trying to remain hopeful and optimistic. But let’s face it…we’re getting tired.
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis is all about self-care. We offer many programs and services that respond to isolation, anxiety, and depression, as well as connection, support, and education. We recognize that now, more than ever, people are in need of self-care. It is not enough to continue one’s exercise regime, manage day-to-day physical distancing, and cover one’s mouth and nose. Self-care requires us to also control our consumption of news, balance our interaction with technology and face-to-face contact with human beings (and pets), and get adequate sleep, sensible nutrition, and time for meditation and reflection.
We have a saying at JFCS that goes like this: If we take care of our staff, they will take care of our clients and all those who seek our help. We put this into practice by providing appropriate compensation and benefits, transparently communicating information, establishing a workplace that honors fun and inclusivity, and by supporting one another.
As we manage through this challenging time, we urge you to consider how you might prioritize yourself, and encourage you to allocate time each day to taking care of yourself. If we can help with resources or suggestions, please call 952-546-0616 or click here to get connected. It is ok to ask for help, and it’s important to keep yourself strong and resilient, so you can be there for all the people who count on you…..or who you might need for an occasional shoulder rub or simple smile!