How do you take care of yourself as a peer support worker?

1 Know your limits

One of the most important aspects of self-care is to recognize and respect your own boundaries. You may feel tempted to take on more clients, work longer hours, or handle complex situations that are beyond your scope of practice. However, this can lead to exhaustion, frustration, and resentment. You need to know your limits and communicate them clearly to your clients, colleagues, and supervisors. Learn to say no when you feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable, and ask for help when you need it. Remember that you are not responsible for your clients' outcomes, and that you can only do your best within your role.

2 Manage your emotions

Another challenge of being a peer support worker is to cope with your own emotions that may arise during or after your interactions with clients. You may feel angry, sad, guilty, or triggered by some of the issues or stories that your clients share with you. You may also experience compassion fatigue, which is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged exposure to others' suffering. To manage your emotions, you need to develop healthy coping skills and outlets. Some examples are journaling, meditation, exercise, hobbies, or talking to a trusted friend or therapist. You also need to monitor your mood and mental health, and seek professional help if you notice any signs of distress or relapse.

3 Maintain your recovery

As a peer support worker, you are also a person in recovery. This means that you need to maintain your own recovery plan and goals, and not neglect them for the sake of your work. You need to keep up with your treatment, medication, or other supports that help you stay well. You also need to follow your wellness plan, which is a personalized tool that helps you identify your triggers, warning signs, coping strategies, and resources. You need to review and update your wellness plan regularly, and use it as a guide to prevent or manage any crises. You also need to celebrate your achievements and milestones, and remind yourself of how far you have come.

4 Connect with others

Being a peer support worker can sometimes feel isolating or lonely, especially if you work remotely or independently. You may also feel misunderstood or judged by some people who do not appreciate or value your role. That is why you need to connect with others who can support you and understand you. You need to build and nurture your social network, which may include your family, friends, peers, mentors, or other allies. You also need to participate in peer support groups or networks, where you can share your experiences, challenges, and successes with other peer support workers. You can also seek supervision, coaching, or mentoring from someone who can provide you with feedback, guidance, and encouragement.

5 Balance your life

Finally, you need to balance your life as a peer support worker with your other roles and interests. You need to have a clear separation between your work and your personal life, and avoid blurring the lines or mixing them up. You need to set a regular schedule and routine for your work, and stick to it as much as possible. You also need to take breaks, vacations, and days off, and use them to relax and recharge. You need to have hobbies, passions, and goals that are not related to your work, and pursue them with joy and enthusiasm. You need to remember that you are more than your work, and that you have a whole and diverse identity.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?