Support the Support Worker
An age old question, who supports the support worker? Who cares for the carer?
The importance and value of self care, particularly in the helping profession can never be emphasised enough.
Let’s take the example of the following: you are on a flight, you are buckling up ready for take off and your flight attendant gives you this clear instruction ‘remember to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others’.
Why? It seems obvious, that if you have no oxygen and you are gasping for breath on the floor how can you assist others. Dramatic yes, but an important example to remember that this is similar to the helping profession, take care of yourself first to be of any help to others.
Now let’s turn our attention to the three pillars of wellness:
1. Good nutrition
2. Quality sleep
3. Body movement
Feeding our bodies with nutritious food, having good sleep hygiene and actively doing some form of exercise daily represents the scaffolding of quality self care.
Building on these three pillars ask yourself the question, what brings me joy?
Ensure you care for your own social connections, spend time with family and friends and feed your own mind and being in ways that enhance your sense of self.
Lastly, for helping professionals, if you do not already have a clinical professional supervisor for ongoing skill development and learning then seriously investigate investing in this. Your overall well being will be supported.
All of these elements support you in staying connected to your passion and confidence for the great work that you do.
The overall message here is that engaging in consistent quality self care enhances your longevity to provide quality care to others and provides continued well being for you and your clients. Be your own best support and invest in yourself.
More ideas on self care to come.
If you have a story you wish to share please email us: contact@dstalent.com.au
Yours in support,
The DS Talent Team