Working within the social care industry can be tough at times as it isn’t the normal 9-5 daily routine. It is important to remember that looking after yourself is crucial as this allows you to succeed at your job and be the best version of yourself. Your emotional, physical and spiritual health are important factors in looking after yourself.
Emotional health –
No day is the same when working within social care and what happens within it can differ, some days can be great and some days can be tiring. The environment within social care moves at a fast pace when trying to deliver the best care and can sometimes cause stress. Learning how to manage your stress levels is a useful skill to acquire and support your emotional health in how you respond to situations.
Speaking to your colleagues or manager about issues that are bothering you can help relieve any worries or stress you might have. Discussing them will help you think of solutions or how others can help you.
We can burn ourselves out by working everyday or every shift you are asked to cover. It is important to take a break or day off to recharge. This prevents you from becoming unwell and affecting your emotional health such as feeling sad or fed up.
Physical health –
Looking after your physical health is important and prevents you from becoming fatigued and stressed. Making sure to have enough sleep will help prepare you for a productive day ahead.
A balanced diet becomes difficult to maintain when trying to take on too much and working constantly. By preparing your meals before your shifts will help contribute to keeping a balanced diet and it’s a bonus when you’re feeling tired. By including vitamins into your diet can help towards your energy levels and make you feel better overall.
Fitting exercise into your lifestyle can sometimes prove to be hard when trying to work unsociable hours and after a shift you might have exceeded your daily step count, however trying to fit 30 minutes, 3 times a week into your lifestyle will contribute positively towards your health.
Spiritual health –
Life has a habit of becoming fast paced and full on at times, preventing us from taking some time to stop and enjoy what we have around us. Taking 10 minutes out of your day to refuel your physical wellbeing can help us appreciate the things around us. This helps you focus on what really matters and think of ways to progress as an individual.
