How to be Productive after a Therapy Session
Webster's dictionary defines therapy as… just kidding. I’d never do that to you ;)
We all know at least a bit about therapy: it’s that place where people go to cry and heal their inner child, and work through the hard parts of life.
But there are some aspects of therapy that still remain a mystery to many. Some of these mysteries become barriers for some of us who think therapy might be helpful, but we don’t go because we don’t know what to expect.
It can feel really scary to enter into the unknown, especially for those of us who need therapy the most.
That’s where this fancy schmancy little blog comes into the picture: I’m passionate about sharing all the little details that have helped make therapy such a life-saver for me. I’m not a therapist, I’m not a scientist, I’m just an emotional human who wants to share more about her experience so that you can feel safe with trying it out, with opening up, and daring to hold onto the hope that you CAN feel better again.
One of the challenges surrounding therapy is the question of, how does something like therapy actually fit into my life? How do I go to therapy in the middle of a workday, cry my eyes out... and then transition back into the professional, put-together version of myself?
First of all, let me just say… It is possible. It’s not always the best, sometimes we need extra rest and that is okay. But, most of the time, here are a few things I keep in mind when I’m trying to balance caring for my mental health and running my art business.
photo by Cristeal Felien Photography
My Top Tips for Being Productive After a Therapy Session
Tip #1 - Take a quick walk before going back to work.
Walks are great for bilateral stimulation, which is a fancy way of saying that the rhythmic left-right movement of your feet hitting the pavement is really good for you. It helps your brain process emotions and information, and aside from that, it also releases endorphins which help you to feel better. (If you are physically incapable of walking, ask your therapist about other bilateral stimulation methods that you can do on your own, such as the butterfly hug! There are many options out there that can help.)
Tip #2 - Prepare for the physical effects of crying and sadness.
If you aren’t used to allowing yourself to feel your emotions, this one might be a bit weird for you. But when you cry, especially for a prolonged period of time, your body experiences stress. That stress often manifests in physical discomfort. Most of the time this means you’ll get a headache, a runny nose, a lump in your throat, etc.
I recommend keeping an ice pack and/or heating pad at work, to help alleviate your headache and swollen eyes. (Sometimes you may also want to take pain relieving medication, and that’s okay too!) Staying hydrated will also help your body overall, and that’s super important when you are trying to take care of yourself: your body and brain are best buds, and taking care of one of them does wonders for the other.
In short, here is a list of things that can be helpful to keep around your workspace: water bottle, tea, heating pad, an ice pack, Advil/Tylenol, something scented and calming like lotion or essential oils, and/or hydrating under-eye masks.
Tip #3 - Remind yourself that feeling your emotions does not make you weak. If you feel tears come up during your workday after a therapy session, remind yourself that it is building strength in you.
Reframe the narrative: you aren’t “too emotional”, because that is not a real thing. It’s one of the biggest lies we’re told, especially us sensitive humans that don’t fit the mold that others want us to.
I heard a story once of a woman who had to give a speech in front of a massive crowd. She always cried when she felt big emotions, and this was no different. She felt the tears well up in her eyes even as she walked up to the podium. So she began her speech by saying, “I may cry during this. I’m really emotional, it’s one of my many strengths.” And then she finished her speech like a BADASS. Saying this was perfect, because it was empowering, humorous, and… human. The world needs more of that, and less robotic corporate drones.
Push through the hard emotions that come up, because the world deserves to hear your speech, see your work, and know the wonder that you hold. Show up even if it is messy and involves tears. Your dedication to therapy and your own mental health will make you a better leader, worker, and human in the long run, and the world is lucky to see that.
Tip #4 - Try a body scan meditation! I personally have found that a systematic body scan meditation, where I begin at my toes and slowly work my way up to the top of my head, is really grounding and helps me to feel calm when my mind races. You can do it without anyone else noticing, it’s simple to remember, and it helps restore that sense of calm that puts you back in your body and helps you to focus better.
Here is an article with a few tips on body scans, if you haven’t tried one before: https://www.mindful.org/beginners-body-scan-meditation/