BPL's 2024 Self-Care Mastermind Class April 8 to Focus on Advocating for Your Health

 

C.J. Wade will lead a Self-Care Mastermind Class Monday on How to be an Advocate\for Your Health

What: The Self-Care Mastermind—a group wellness coaching series 

Where: Central Library, 1st Floor Grand Commons

Dates: 2nd Monday of each month, September 2023–June 2024 Time: 5:30–6:30 p.m. 

Remaining Program Details: Monday, April 8, 2024 | How to Advocate for Your Health 

Monday, May 13, 2024 | Party of One: How to Date Yourself 

 Monday, June 17, 2024 | Journaling For Life

Birmingham, Ala. - Did you know that a key to being healthy is becoming a self-advocate for getting your body, mind and soul in tip-top shape? If you need help, make plans now to be at the Central Library this Monday, April 8, at 5:30 p.m. for "How to Advocate for Your Health," the next session of the Birmingham Public Library's 10-class Self-Care Mastermind series. 

The 10-class series from instructor Christina "C.J." Wade began last September and concludes in June. Classes are held every second Monday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the first floor of the Central Library, 2100 Park Place in downtown Birmingham. 

Wade is a licensed massage therapist and certified health coach. She has owned and operated her own private practice, You Matter Massage and Wellness, in Mountain Brook since 2018. 

 Click here to learn more about C.J. Wade 's Self-Care Mastermind Class Series.

 In a Q&A with BPL Public Relations Director Roy Williams, Wade talked about why becoming a self-care advocate is a key to having a healthy lifestyle. 

BPL: I love the title of the Monday, April 8 session, "How to Advocate for Your Health." Explain how becoming a self-care advocate is essential to living a healthy lifestyle. 

 Wade: When we value ourselves, we will treat our recalibration. I believe that wholeheartedly. One challenge in that reaching that truth can be applying self-care in medical settings. Advocating for yourself can be difficult if you're accustomed to substandard treatment or abuse. You want to voice your needs, but you feel they don't matter. That's where the lie lives. You do matter and whatever impedes upon your health is worth addressing and recalibrating with a medical professional. 

 BPL: When we talked before your March class, you mentioned how it is easy to be defeated after a medical visit, and how that is something you learned firsthand. What advice can you offer to people who hear bad news from their doctor?

Wade: When you hear bad news, the first thing I suggest is to not think about the end. I don't care if you have a fatal diagnosis with a 2-week lifespan. Think about what you have and how to multiply it for the best experience. Do what it takes to be healthy - whether it is going on vacation, reading books, increasing your heart rate, actually resting, making a fun date with a friend, or getting an additional medical opinion. 

Ask yourself what it would take to enjoy the time as you heal inside and/or outside. What would bring peace in the moment. I also believe in miracles, so do the work and expect the best. Hope is a vital component to health. 

BPL: How can you determine how to ask the right questions to your doctor? 

Wade: One way to determine how to ask the right questions is to do research before your appointment. Look at your patient portal and visit summaries so you're going in with information instead of just being on the receiving end of the conversation. 

 BPL: What are some steps someone can take to finding the right physician for their needs? Wade: Referrals are a great start. In addition to acquiring referrals from people in your circle, research the physician's expertise. You can find a surgeon, but one may be exceptional at hand surgeries while another is known for addressing knee injuries. 

BPL: Give a brief synopsis of the last classes in the series, Monday, May 13, Party of One: How to Date Yourself, and Monday, June 10, Journaling For Life. 

Wade: May 13's Party of One: How to Date Yourself - Social anxiety is real and for some, it can dismantle the social care part of their overall health. In this session, we discuss and practice how to break down the walls of social anxiety by self-caring in public places, such as a restaurant, park, and more! There’s an art to being comfortable in solo situations and participants will learn how to customize their own self-care date! Introverts, this class is especially made for you!

 June 10's Journaling For Life - Lastly, the Journaling For Life session will use tools from previous sessions to incorporate journaling as part of their self-care regimen. If you missed the previous sessions, it’s OK. I’ll have a recap to help. BPL: What do you hope participants learn from these classes? Wade: I hope people will recognize that self-care is not a lofty, expensive thing you have to chase. It’s reachable and customizable. My activities may not look like yours and both can be effective. Everyone deserves a healthy version of themselves and it just takes one step at a time to believe it.

BPL: Any last minute advice for those interested in improving their self-care wellness? 

Wade: Take a minute every day to remember who you are more than what you do. That's your anchor. That's your core.

Here are scenes from C.J. Wade's March 2024 class which shared tips on healthy eating.