3 Tips For Girl Scout Leaders For Self-Care

September 2, 2022

Time to read 3 min

I know this post is a weird one compared to many articles I post on here. But one thing is for sure, there is a real thing called Girl Scout Leader Burn Out. It is important to take care of yourself to which will allow you to be the best leader you can be.

What does that really mean? Well taking care of oneself is more than simply a trendy concept that can be reduced to occasional spa visits and junk food binges. Being self-care-centered means prioritizing your own needs and attending to your emotional, mental, and physical health. Taking care of yourself, in whatever form it takes for you at the moment, is more crucial than ever in these trying times.

It’s easier said than done, but if we don’t prioritize our own health, we can’t give our all to our loved ones, our Girl Scout troops, or anything else that matters to us. By prioritizing your own well-being, you’re setting a great example for your Girl Scouts on how to trust your instincts and thrive.

Leaders, please keep in mind that you do not need anything else. Forgive yourself and give yourself some love if your best isn’t what it usually is right now. Get some inspiration about how to practice self-care, whether at home or with your group.

Create Routines

There’s comfort in what’s familiar, so if a daily run or a video chat with a friend is something that works well for your routine, make sure you do it – don’t allow other things to get in the way of your routine because you’ll be damaging your health (mentally and physically) if you do. You’ll also not be in a good headspace to be a good leader; you need to be clear and focused, and self-care in the form of routines can offer you that.

Other things that will help include having a good sleep routine where you go to bed and wake up at the same time every night and every morning. Eat at the same time each day. If it makes you happy (and as a Girl Scout leader, it probably will), set aside regular time to work on new activities and ideas like adding art to STEM for your next meeting. You’ll feel much more at ease when everything is as you expect it to be.

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Get Outside

To better your mental and physical health, you should leave the cozy confines of your house. Outside time has a calming effect on the mind, just like meditation does. According to other studies, simply being exposed to images of natural settings might trigger a good emotional response. The same is true if you just look out the window and don’t actually head out of the door.

The garden is an excellent place to do some outside exercise without drawing too much attention. And it’s the ideal spot to try out some activities that you might want the girls to do – you’ll get experience so you can lead better, and you’ll get some self-care and fresh air at the same time.

Pay It Forward

Being important is nice, but being nice is more important. When we help other people, we help ourselves, too. Giving someone a hand not only makes you feel better, but it may also make you live longer.

Is it really altruism if you get something in return? You’re making other people happy, so that’s good! You can feel a little bit of happiness, too. Volunteering can also improve a person’s sense of self-worth, confidence, and overall health.