In a profession where you are constantly caring for others, it is crucial to ensure your needs are not being pushed to the side. Regularly engaging in self-care is a great way to recharge your batteries and maintain your mental wellbeing. Here’s a reminder of some things you can do in order to prioritise yourself as a social worker.
1. Give yourself credit where it’s due
Whether you made a client smile or tackled a nasty piece of paperwork, it’s important to step back and appreciate the progress you’ve made that day. Celebrating small wins can help boost your mood, as well as your motivation levels. To mark each victory, why not share your excitement with a colleague, reward yourself with a tea break or write down what you’ve achieved at the end of each day?
2. Remember to rest
It is so important to rest, and even more important to not feel guilty about it. Use your time off to truly switch off and leave work at work. We know it’s easier said than done, but if you can master the art of relaxation then you mitigate the risk of burnout and ensure your clients are getting the best version of you. Once you get home, do something to distract your brain from any stressors you may have encountered in the workplace. For example, you could call a friend, go for a walk, read, cook, swim, dance, nap…the possibilities are endless.
3. Your annual leave it there for a reason – use it!
Don’t view annual leave as a luxury – or worse, a chore. It is there to be used so that you have time to rest and can return to work feeling rejuvenated. Book holidays to look forward to, organise a day out with your friends or spend a week at home doing absolutely nothing! As long as you’re using all your allotted holiday, your mental health will benefit and there will always be something to look forward to!
4. Learn to say no
Putting your mental health first means saying no sometimes. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated, it’s likely you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. Avoid being a people pleaser and don’t feel obliged to take on additional work where it’s unreasonable to do so. In fact, taking on additional caseloads likely won’t help anyone if you don’t have the capacity to look after the client to your best ability. Establishing boundaries will help you reserve your energy and prioritise your mental wellbeing.
5. Take advantage of your support systems
Talking to friends, family and peers can help alleviate stress and allow you to verbalise any challenges you may be up against, whether personal or work-related. Alternatively, social interaction can be a great distraction when you need to unwind. Make sure they know you’re there to return the favour whenever they need support.
Feel free to return to this article whenever you’re in need of a reminder to look after yourself! Get in touch with our lovely team if you have any further enquiries here.
carlette Isaac
In a profession where you are constantly caring for others, it is crucial to ensure your needs are not being pushed to the side. Regularly engaging in self-care is a great way to recharge your batteries and maintain your mental wellbeing. Here’s a reminder of some things you can do in order to prioritise yourself as a social worker.
1. Give yourself credit where it’s due
Whether you made a client smile or tackled a nasty piece of paperwork, it’s important to step back and appreciate the progress you’ve made that day. Celebrating small wins can help boost your mood, as well as your motivation levels. To mark each victory, why not share your excitement with a colleague, reward yourself with a tea break or write down what you’ve achieved at the end of each day?
2. Remember to rest
It is so important to rest, and even more important to not feel guilty about it. Use your time off to truly switch off and leave work at work. We know it’s easier said than done, but if you can master the art of relaxation then you mitigate the risk of burnout and ensure your clients are getting the best version of you. Once you get home, do something to distract your brain from any stressors you may have encountered in the workplace. For example, you could call a friend, go for a walk, read, cook, swim, dance, nap…the possibilities are endless.
3. Your annual leave it there for a reason – use it!
Don’t view annual leave as a luxury – or worse, a chore. It is there to be used so that you have time to rest and can return to work feeling rejuvenated. Book holidays to look forward to, organise a day out with your friends or spend a week at home doing absolutely nothing! As long as you’re using all your allotted holiday, your mental health will benefit and there will always be something to look forward to!
4. Learn to say no
Putting your mental health first means saying no sometimes. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated, it’s likely you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. Avoid being a people pleaser and don’t feel obliged to take on additional work where it’s unreasonable to do so. In fact, taking on additional caseloads likely won’t help anyone if you don’t have the capacity to look after the client to your best ability. Establishing boundaries will help you reserve your energy and prioritise your mental wellbeing.
5. Take advantage of your support systems
Talking to friends, family and peers can help alleviate stress and allow you to verbalise any challenges you may be up against, whether personal or work-related. Alternatively, social interaction can be a great distraction when you need to unwind. Make sure they know you’re there to return the favour whenever they need support.
Feel free to return to this article whenever you’re in need of a reminder to look after yourself! Get in touch with our lovely team if you have any further enquiries here.