Burnout
The fact that burnout is still considered a work-related syndrome is concerning, as it leads to being overlooked and not taken seriously. A new approach is needed, prioritising practitioners’ wellbeing and happiness while implementing leadership and practitioner wellbeing strategies within organisations.
The factors influencing self-care and practice interventions for healthcare practitioners are diverse and influenced by individuality, potential for burnout and overall wellbeing. These factors are multi-dimensional and impacted by the working environment, resulting in varying outcomes of interventions.
As a specialist in this field, I firmly believe that self-care is an essential but often neglected tool for healthcare professionals to cultivate their strengths. By incorporating the following six self-care tips into your daily routine, you can confidently prioritise your wellbeing while providing the best possible care for your clients or patients and continue to inspire wellness in others.
Tip #1 - Setting Boundaries
Boundary issues are a common concern in my consultations. Prioritising your work, setting boundaries and defining your work hours and personal time can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Setting boundaries that allow you to wholeheartedly focus on your work during work hours and devote quality time to yourself and your loved ones during personal time can boost your confidence and evade burnout. This approach can help you feel more empowered, energised and fulfilled in all areas of your life.
Tip #2 - Prioritising Self-Care
It's essential to prioritise your wellbeing and strive for a life full of happiness, good health and vitality. True wellness involves balancing your mind, body and spirit, guiding you towards rejuvenation, resilience and self-care. Cultivating healthy habits of engaging in activities that regularly recharge you mentally, emotionally and physically and prioritising nutrition, hydration, exercise and sleep is essential.
Tip #3 - Saying No
Throughout years of running my businesses, I'd developed a constant "yes" attitude, leading to various imbalances in my health and personal life. However, we all possess the power to make mindful decisions about our tasks and responsibilities. Saying no when necessary is also a big part of #Tip 1 of Setting Boundaries. By doing so, we prioritise our wellbeing and avoid becoming overwhelmed. Making discerning choices and committing to what we can handle is a valuable skill that will serve us well.
Tip #4 - Rotating Tasks
To avoid boredom or burnout, diversify your tasks and switch regularly. Doing so prevents prolonged exposure to one type of task and maintains your productivity and motivation levels. I use this powerful image to remind us that finding balance is critical to achieving wellness and fulfilment.
Tip #5 - Taking Breaks
An essential practice is to schedule short breaks throughout the day to relax and recharge, even during busy times. Stepping away from your workspace to disconnect from work and unwind by taking a walk, listening to music or meditating helps reduce stress and fatigue. Prioritising self-care by taking regular breaks can help you approach your work with renewed energy and clarity, increasing efficiency and effectiveness.
Tip #6 - Seeking Support
Finding support and guidance from colleagues, mentors, therapists and other practitioners can be a powerful way to gain new perspectives, overcome challenges and find solutions. Remember, you don't have to weather difficult times alone – together, we can rise to any challenge.
Explore further this vital topic and how to apply this knowledge to enhance your work practice. Our comprehensive workshop and toolkit, Menu for Wellbeing or Recipe for Burnout, is invaluable for anyone seeking a better understanding of stress, burnout and wellbeing in practice.
"Menu for Wellbeing OR Recipe for Burnout: I engaged Gill Carrie to deliver a corporate workshop to a group of professional managers. Her expertise and insight into the dynamics of stress and the proactive management of wellbeing and its importance for professional managers, was very well received by the group and highly pertinent to their needs. I would definitely recommend her workshop to other businesses and institutions." Sean Weafer, CEO, ManagementEQ.com
Gill Carrie is a professional homeopath and coach practitioner with an extensive client-centric business background and a passion for holistic healing and wellbeing. See more insights about Gill, her consultations and collaborations at TheHolisticFIT.