Self-Care in social work-an oxymoron? I do not think so. As professionals in social work it is our duty to ourselves and our clients/patients to provide self-care to ourselves.
If we are highly stressed or steps away from ‘burn out’ how can we perform our role properly?
Yet, I know many social workers and others in the ‘helping profession’ who lack the inclination, the skills, the knowledge and/or perhaps the willingness to seek ways to minimize stress.
Take your lunch hour, take mini-breaks and visit with colleagues-joke around at work, take your vacation time and actually take a vacation to replenish your ‘batteries’ per se. Engage in hobbies that are unrelated to your work-volunteer, crafts, sports, etc. Make a point to unwind at the end of the day and I do not mean by watching the news! When you leave work, actually leave work, as in focus on your life and interests outside of work.
Family and friends are very important in this role as well.
At the same time re-evaluate your professional interests-are you still passionate about your job? Is there something missing? Is it time to update your ‘tool kit’ as in learning new techniques or skills that will enhance your current job?
If you do not look forward to going to work in the morning ask yourself the question, ‘Why not?’
Sometimes being creative and coming up with new ideas to approach your clients with works as well.
Please feel free to pass on other ways related to self-care for social workers to me.
http://www.baycrest.org/
This is perhaps the most important topic facing social work in 2013, now we just need somone to convince the NASW.
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Great reminder Vikki! I feel that for many social workers it isn’t that they lack the skills to reduce stress it is instead what you mentioned about taking work home with you. Too many of us don’t put up that distinction, whether it be mandated for ‘on call’ services as part of the job or personal reasons such as feeling back logged at work or taking on too many outside projects. This leaves us with little time for ourselves and results in the burn out.
I also think too many of us don’t physically or mentally remember how to relax after years of school/internship etc. etc. I personally know that I feel I don’t remember to relax. I try taking a walk everyday but I can’t just walk, I have to be looking at my phone. Or, I watch tv and must be doing something online…
Georgianna, your comment says it all, “I try taking a walk everyday but I can’t just walk, I have to be looking at my phone. Or, I watch tv and must be doing something online…”
Take a walk outside, but leave the phone on quiet and enjoy nature. Forget TV-read or hang out with friends, volunteer, take up a new hobby.
Every once in awhile ‘unplug’ no computer, no phone, no TV and go out with friends, read, etc.
Social media is great for many things, but we all need a ‘time out.’
Humor and the ability to turn off the “perpetual social worker” is a must if one is to survive the field. A big steak, a few martinis, and a wild adults-only night is a must every so often; walks, lunch breaks, exercise, shooting range time, whatever other hobby you have (I personally love violent video games)– you need to take care of yourself, or you’ll burn out of the field all together.
Interesting Michael-not sure about the violent video games, but if that works for you…..A nice meal out with a drink sounds good-agree with the adult only night, walks and lunch breaks along with exercise.
Really, it is about relaxation and that means different things to different people. Basically, leave work at work and focus on other things…..
Thanks for sharing!