Self-Care Quotes for Group Therapy - The Real Recreation Therapist

Starting a group therapy session with self-care quotes is an excellent way to introduce a leisure education topic. The group’s thoughts and opinions serve as an orientation point that expands as the group activity progresses.

Beginning a group therapy session is a lot like writing an article or blog post. You want to catch the group’s attention and interest as soon as possible. Get your participants invested in how the group benefits them. When you do this, it creates excitement–or at least less resistance–to the group activity.

Leisure activities directly impact one’s self-care and overall well-being. Using leisure well can help address issues like anxiety, depression, grief, boredom, and addiction recovery. You can explore so many topics when combining self-care and leisure education.

Combining leisure education and self-care can address:

Confidence
Relaxation
Self-Awareness
Mind/Body Connection
Exploring Leisure Opportunites
Planning Leisure
Independent Leisure
Relationships/Setting Boundaries
Coping Strategies

Using self-care quotes gets the process started.

Here are 25 self-care quotes you could use to start a group therapy session. I’ve roughly divided the self-care quotes into categories to help you decide which will have the most impact. Don’t feel limited by how they’re categorized–it just provides a starting point for you to explore. Use these quotes–or any others you find–as you see fit when addressing your participants’ needs.

Self-Awareness

Good therapy meets a participant where they are at. Then it builds from there. All too often, our participants are caught up in physical, mental, or emotional struggles that they lose sight of their core being. Leisure activities are a great way to explore self-expression and become more aware of hopes, fears, dreams, and goals.

“Happiness is not by chance, but by choice.” –Jim Rohn

“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life. ” –- Jean Shinoda Bolen

“Your health is what you make of it. Everything you do and think either adds to the vitality, energy, and spirit you possess or takes away from it.” –Ann Wigmore

“After adding everyone’s schedule on the calendar, I make sure that every day I have some sacred time for myself, so I can recharge…. I had to learn to stop, relax and take long, deep breaths and within seconds, I would feel more clear and ready to deal with the situation in a more loving way.” —Gisele Bündchen

“The best health care plan is a self-care plan.” – Nina Leavins

Self-Discovery

Sometimes we have to step away from our routines so we can get out of that familiar loop of thoughts and behaviors. Self-care provides a respite, recharge, and chance for reflection. In those moments when we’re engaged in our favorite activities, we create an open space to help guide our self-discovery.

“Nourishing yourself in a way that helps you blossom in the direction you want to go is attainable, and you are worth the effort. ” – Deborah Day

“Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.” — Buddha

“Nothing is more important than reconnecting with your bliss.” – Deepak Chopra

“True self-care is not bath salts and chocolate cake, it’s making the choice to build a life you don’t need to escape from.” – Brianna Wiest

“Your brain is like a computer, you have to refresh or it’s going to crash. I don’t [care] how great you are, you have to take a second.” – Missy Elliot

Self-Acceptance

This culture makes it hard to feel like yourself. We’re constantly barraged with images and messages about what we should be–or what we should live up to. It’s only once we stop chasing all these rabbit holes and become comfortable with ourselves that we can realize our full potential.

“I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art.” – Madonna

“The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself. ” – Steve Maraboli

“Take responsibility for your own happiness, never put it in other people’s hands.” –Roy T. Bennett

“Once you embrace your value, talents, and strengths, it neutralizes when others think less of you.” – Rob Liano

“Self-care is allowing yourself to appreciate the moment for what it is, instead of wishing it was something else.” ― Sharon Pearson

Self-Improvement

Once we’re comfortable with ourselves, we can then fully determine and work towards our potential. Self-care activities help us learn how to meet our needs so we should up better every day.

“It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.” – Mandy Hale

“Self-care is a deliberate choice to gift yourself with people, places, things, events, and opportunities that recharge our personal battery and promote whole health–body, mind, and spirit.” –Laurie Buchanan

“I make it a point to practice self-care. I make an appointment with myself.” –Manisha Singal

“Carve out and claim the time to care for yourself and kindle your own fire.” – Amy Ippoliti

“Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” – Edward Stanley

Taking Time for Self

Intentions to become more aware, explore new leisure activities, and reach personal goals with the help of leisure and recreation activities won’t amount to much unless a participant invests time in self-care.

Addressing scheduling for self-care can vary dramatically among the different populations we serve. Some participants live in structured residential facilities. Others may have less structure and support. And many of our participants have limited resources and opportunities to make choices and follow through with a positive leisure schedule.

As with any new positive habit or routine, it helps by starting small with a focused goal. Make the goal attainable, but with some effort. And once that goal gets reached, it starts the motivation that builds momentum.

The Take Away:

Self-care should be a part of any leisure education curriculum. Starting the group therapy session with a self-care quote sets an excellent starting point to explore the topic you want to address.

Let’s keep the discussion Flowing. Share on your social, join The Real Recreation Therapist Facebook group or comment below. Let us know your favorite quotes!

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