Not Another Self Care Article

Self Care is a topic thrown around a lot in Social Work settings sometimes to an irritating degree. Essentially, the term means how Social Workers take care of themselves. When Self Care is discussed, most think of it in terms of something that Social Workers do outside of work, but Self Care during work hours is just as important. Social Work is a hard job and it is frequently made harder by difficult clients, work place politics, and stress at home. So, taking care of yourself during and after work hours is extremely important and should be supported by the management team of any Social Service agency. But What exactly does self care mean? Here are some thoughts.

Self Care in the Workplace:

How can a Social Worker take care of themselves during the work day? First, TAKE YOUR LUNCH! So many Social Workers have gotten into the habit of working through their lunch, for a myriad of reasons. However, a lunch break is accounted for as part of your work day, and it's a great self care strategy if Social Workers actually take their allotted break as if allows you to disconnect and recenter before powering through the rest of your day. So, leave your desk, take a walk, rest your mind, breathe, and give your mind a mini vacation knowing that you are taking care of yourself at the same time.

Next, don't underestimate the power of taking a breath. Social Workers work with many people who are struggling be that other professionals or clients. So, when working with difficult personalities rather than letting them get under the skin, instead take a deep, long breath. Use that moment to develop a response that is appropriate and helpful.

Lastly, get to know your coworkers. It's easy to simply come into work and do the time, but it's more challenging to spend time getting to know the folks who sit in the desks next to yours. The people that you work with all day long are the only people who know exactly what you are going through. Getting to know your colleagues can be therapeutic as it improves morale, allows everyone to "blow off steam," and builds a strong workplace community. So, take that lunch break and make it a date with your coworkers!

Self Care Outside of the Workplace:

Self Care outside of the workplace typically looks like doing something you enjoy, but let's examine some options.

First, restorative forms of self care like yoga, exercise and massage are some great self care options for Social Workers. Some of these options like yoga or meditation can also help teach coping skills (like breath work) that can be applied during workplace hours. Additionally, the importance of physical activity can not be overstated as a means of emotional, physical, and spiritual recovery after a long day. Grab your sneakers and lace up for a long run, or even check out a kick boxing class and go a few rounds in the ring to help you work off that workplace stress!

Second, meet your coworkers out after work hours! Sure, it can be great to get together with colleagues during work hours, but why limit it to that time? Getting together with coworkers outside of work hours can often help everyone relax and allow for more candid discussions. So grab your favorite work buddies and head to your favorite after work spot for a Taco Tuesday, or better yet, an exercise class!

 Lastly, spend time with your family and loved ones. Unplug from work completely. Don't answer any emails, or phone calls after work hours (unless you are on call) and focus on the people who are most important to your life. Grab your spouse, partner, kids, and pet and go for a walk, have a family game night or snuggle up for a movie after a family dinner. Focusing on your loved ones can help you recenter your life on the people and things that are most important to you, and the whole reason why you work so hard!

What do you do to take care of you? Leave a comment below, or let us know if you try out any of these suggestions.

For more articles related to Social Work and Social Work Supervision be sure to visit our website https://sites.google.com/view/be-supervised/home, and our blog https://besupervised.blogspot.com/ .