ROCK YOUR SOCKS
If you would like to join us for Yin Yoga or Mindfulness meditation this week, July 22nd - 26th, Rock Your Socks!
Come wearing your most crazy, wild or mismatched socks. Your crazy socks are meant to be noticed so that, when people look down and see your socks, you can share a story with them.
So what's up!?
Rock your Socks is not a charity drive. (I wanted to underline that:) The Crazy Socks are purely intended to start a conversation.
I found out about Crazy Socks for Docs about 2 weeks ago. Pity that it was too late to participate on the actual day, June 7th. (If you are reading this on a format that doesn't facilitate the links, just Google "crazy socks for docs" and you'll find a host of sites.)
Crazy Socks for Docs is aimed at creating an awareness of the stigma which (still) surrounds mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. The initiative highlights the levels of depression and mental fatigue amongst the caregiving and healing professionals who dedicate their lives to the treatment and wellbeing of others.
The concept "Physician, Heal thyself" is firmly entrenched in our society, in our psyche. The idiom, originating from the Bible, represents the ability of a doctor to heal others, while sometimes not being able to heal himself. Often this implies the doctor's inability to heal.
What it also signifies is the risk or the probability of those who dedicate their lives to helping others, often placing their own needs way low down on the ladder of priority.
The idea that a doctor who requires medical attention is a doctor who has limited power to heal others is really unjustified and indefensible. Nevertheless, it plays a large part in contributing toward the skepticism or judgment in many people, often making it difficult for people in the medical, caregiving or healing professions to admit to feeling “unwell” or asking for help.
Not wishing to detract from the Socks for Docs campaign or the medical profession, it's a respectful reminder to us to support all people involved in caring or healing.
Therefore, I would like to extend an invitation to wear crazy socks this week in appreciation of anyone & everyone who nurtures, heals or supports.
When you Rock your Crazy Socks, spare a thought for anyone who has been touched by depression or anxiety or the stigma thereof; anyone whose job involves improving or maintaining health or healing; including anyone giving support to friends or family through a terminal illness or disability.
This is to support doctors, surgeons or anaesthetists; dieticians, chiropractors or homeopathist (or others - here omitted for the sake of brevity.) It's for psychologists, physiotherapists - even yoga teachers! :) It's for ‘new’ mums nurturing a sick baby or looking after elderly parents. Yes, it's also for you, supporting a friend or family member through an illness or disability In fact, aren't we, in a way, all caregivers to each other? So it's for everyone.
OF COURSE there’s a lot more to coping with illness, depression, anxiety and healing than merely talking about it or wearing funky socks. The Rock Your Socks Yoga week is just a small effort to facilitate awareness and respect towards all individuals in caring roles.
Thank you for participating in our Rock Your Socks Campaign.
Can't wait to see your feet on the mat! :)
