The Importance of Self-Management Skills

Good morning all. This has been a very trying time for my family. We have experienced great loss and emotional trauma in the last few months. I want to take this time to talk about self-management.

Self management is the ability to take responsibility for one’s behavior and well-being. This is also referred to as self-regulation or self-control. When we go through traumatic events in our lives, there are various outcomes that are seen. The outcomes will vary based on the individual, their trauma, and how they choose to handle things thrown at them unexpectedly. But most importantly, self-management means you understand your personal responsibility in different aspects of your life, and you do what you need to fulfill that responsibility.

Self-management skills are invaluable to the growth and development of your personal and professional life. More often than not, we tend to carry our personal traumas over into our personal and professional relationships. Doing so can damage our self-confidence to be our most authentic self in every aspect of our lives. I have included four skills that can help you in times when you are spiraling and cannot see your way through an emotional or traumatic event.

1. Breathing and Relaxation: Deep breathing exercises are one the first steps to managing your stress. Find a quiet place and close your eyes. Take a deep breath in. Imagine an upside down bowl in your ribcage. Try to fill it up as much as possible and slowly release it through your nose while you count to eight.

2. Emotional Healing: Addressing underlying causes is very important to your self-management. Any current anxiety, worry, or depression is coming from emotional wounds that need to be healed. Start journaling. Seeing your thoughts on paper helps you to identify the source of your stress.

3. Self-Motivation: Be a good friend to yourself. Learn positive affirmations that are unique to your situation. Positive self talks and mastering the skill of mental rehearsals will put you on a path to healthy motivation personalized just for you.

4. Physical Well-being: Relationship with your body and food. Positive vision and new habits. Healthy eating and physical activity are extremely important when it comes to improving the mind and body to its fullest potential.