Self-Care Resources
One of the most important aspects of overcoming challenging life events is the ability to cultivate a strong self care practice. Self-care is a highly individual and dynamic process, and no two paths look the same. Sometimes we can try something that doesn’t resonate or feel supportive, and it is critical to listen to that and continue experimenting with what your mind-body-heart most needs in a given moment, season, year, or life stage.
Engaging in your own self-care while in therapy can enhance the therapeutic process, and increase access to important inner resources necessary for healing. This self-guided process may include some combination of mental, emotional, somatic, creative, spiritual, and nature-based resources. For example, if in therapy you are working through past trauma, it can be critical to have tools to help you regulate and integrate between sessions. This could include drumming, mindful movement, martial arts, grounding in nature, etc. From a neuroscience perspective, “neurons that fire together, wire together”, so the more we engage in our self-care practice, the more available these resources will be during both moments of rest and distress.
Below, I’ve provided a list of local, external resources in the greater Denver area which I often recommend or refer clients to. A good rule of thumb for navigating this process is to take a moment, sense what’s happening in your body, and take several deep breaths to ground yourself. You might then ask yourself “what is it my body/heart/mind really needing right now? You may notice images, thoughts, emotions, movement impulses and body sensations.. Give yourself a moment to observe, recognize and allow what is here, and then allow your body to respond in a way that feels right or good. At this point, you may sense inspiration to take action of some kind, be it walking in nature, taking a restorative or more active yoga class, creating art, drumming, being in community, or deep rest. If you feel like you are needing some additional support, the below list may be a good place to cultivate self-care in community. As you experiment with various practices, it’s important to listen deeply to what you want to take in, and what you want to leave at the door. It is important to remember that there is no right or wrong here, and to trust the wisdom of your body and intuition.
Visual Arts
Explore a variety of adult classes including watercolor, drawing, fiber arts, printmaking, mixed media, etc.-Art Student’s League of Denver
Art Journaling classes offered in person and online-Judith Cassel-Mamet and Craftsy
Music
Music Classes, Concerts, Community Events- Swallow Hill Music
African Drumming- Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Dance and Movement
Monthly movement therapy groups, goddess workshops, women’s self-defense, community grief rituals-Communitas
World Dance Studio for adults including Bellydance, AfroCaribe, Bollywood, Hula, and more- Bella Diva Dance
Drop in dance classes including hip hop, african, zumba, modern, and ballet- Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Trauma Informed Yoga classes- Arielle Schwartz, Center for Trauma and Resiliency
Nature Resources
Goat Yoga and Puppy Yoga classes- Yoga Pergegrina at Barnyard Buddies
Sloth Meet and Greet at the Denver Aquarium- Denver Aquarium
Grounding in Nature- Hudson Gardens, Bear Creek Lake Park, Denver Botanic Gardens, Wild Animal Sanctuary
Wellness Resources
Watsu- Bodywork in warm water using rhythmic floating and stretching- Celestial Seahorse
Therapeutic Massage- Asiana Harper, Allison Benner
Community (lower cost) Acupuncture- Acupuncture Lounge
Salt Cave Therapy including classes held in a beautiful salt cave including qigong, yoga nidra, and singing bowl meditations- 5 Star Salt Caves
Meditation Resources
Free meditations and talks online by buddhist-based psychologist Tara Brach- Tara Brach
Neurosculpting Meditation- Neurosculpting Institute
Community Meditation Classes- Mayu Sanctuary
Support Groups
Dance/Movement Therapy and Awakening Artemis groups- Communitas
WINGS support groups for survivors of childhood sexual abuse- WINGS Foundation
12 Step Groups- Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACA), Al Anon, Overeaters Anonymous (OA), Codependents Anonymous, 12-Step Yoga and more- ACA , CoDA , Al Anon , OA , 12 Step Yoga
Buddhist Informed Addiction Recovery- Refuge Recovery
The Phoenix-Sober Active Community- The Phoenix
Meditation-based addiction recovery at Shambhala Meditation Center of Denver- Heart of Recovery