You're advocating for patients in high-stress situations. How do you prioritize your emotional well-being?
Advocating for patients often means working in high-tension situations. To maintain your own emotional well-being, consider these strategies:
- Set firm boundaries to protect your personal time and mental space.
- Engage in regular self-reflection to process emotions and prevent burnout.
- Prioritize activities that recharge you, whether it's a hobby or quiet time alone.
How do you balance caring for others with caring for yourself? Your strategies could inspire.
You're advocating for patients in high-stress situations. How do you prioritize your emotional well-being?
Advocating for patients often means working in high-tension situations. To maintain your own emotional well-being, consider these strategies:
- Set firm boundaries to protect your personal time and mental space.
- Engage in regular self-reflection to process emotions and prevent burnout.
- Prioritize activities that recharge you, whether it's a hobby or quiet time alone.
How do you balance caring for others with caring for yourself? Your strategies could inspire.
-
I understand the need for self care, but I also understand the needs of the patients can produce situations in a split second, you have to be mentally prepared when you walk on a ward and or facilities gathering areas, patients can become overwhelmed with the continued structure of certain facilities, they become aware that they are there and this isn’t just a check in and check out as you please situation. On some locked wards, patients can get the sense of impending doom, you have to rationalize the irrational and be prepared for this situation to arise from the time you get there till the time you leave. Understanding this fragility is key to success in de-escalating a crisis, remain aware but calm, speak softly but assertive. 90%-10a%
-
As Patient Advocates we must acknowledge that while we want to help others, we need to help ourselves first too. Mental and physical burnout is real - we're not superheroes with superpowers, we're human. Clear goal-setting, time allocation for specific activities, realistic and achievable targets are critical. Understanding that "I am not going to fix the world's problems overnight" is critical! Because we often feel "deflated" when we don't get it right after we've planned so well... Take an energy-disconnect time-out. This means even communications must be switched off (physical, verbal, tech, socials - all!). Recharging with a walk helps me personally. Solitary refocus and meditation to ground myself is critical. And then, we try again
-
Acknowledging that we find a situation challenging or stressful is often difficult in itself. Recognising the signs of burnout, emotional changes as well as reduced work standard are often indicators that we are highly stressed. Taking the time for yourself to be away from work when possible, enjoying something that is meaningful to you. Could be spiritual, emotional or physical. Having self awareness and emotional awareness is not easy, we are our own worst critics at times. Finding what makes you happy, what makes you feel whole, and incorporating that into everyday practice, whether at home or work.
-
I'll make sure to set professional boundaries which help prevent emotional exhaustion. By keeping the balance separation between work and personal time. I will schedule time for activities that relax me, like exercise or reading. Taking care of my physical health, eating well and getting adequate sleep are the key components of wellbeing
-
Remember that any aggressive behaviour or emotional outbursts are rarely personally directed at you - they are 99% of the time frustration with systems, lack of communication, a bad prognosis, anxiety due to previous trauma It’s not an excuse - but recognition that it’s not about you is an important start point Have boundaries and be competent and confident, calm and kind - For example when someone is shouting say “I understand you upset but for me to help you I need to be able to have a calm conversation” Have someone in your team you can debrief with so you don’t go home upset, angry or overwhelmed Then at home practice your self care- wether it’s a walk, gym, or family time
更多相关阅读内容
-
Patient AdvocacyHow do you share your advocacy goals with stakeholders?
-
Patient AdvocacyWhat are the most effective advocacy strategies for public health crises?
-
Patient AdvocacyWhat do you do if your patient's family is resistant to your advocacy efforts?
-
Patient AdvocacyHow can you resolve conflicts in patient advocacy without taking sides?