By Matt Gannon
Providing care and service to others is one of the most rewarding and honorable things anyone can do. The “job” of care providing is “work”, a choice to walk the path of putting the needs and desires of others at the centerpiece of the day. Make no mistake, self-care is critical to the health and well-being of the provider, and it is also critical for the people who are depending on you. Why? Because if self-care is not taken seriously enough - everyone is affected.
Knowing self-care is to be taken seriously is a good first step. Enacting self-care on a regular basis is a much more difficult step to take and to keep taking, but worth the effort.
For some, you may need permission for self-care. Perhaps no-one has ever given you this permission? I speak from experience about permission. Early in my caregiving career I was working around the clock because of the strong obligation I felt. One day, a person I have great respect for told me, “you have permission to take a break”. This permission I was permitted wasn’t from a boss or co-worker, but a person who noticed the weight of work I was carrying, and this permission worked for me - it shifted my attitude.
I began to take my breaks, and to schedule more time for family and friends, and do the activities each week I enjoyed. Furthermore, I learned how important it was to “schedule” my activities and to safe-guard my time. I learned how to keep focus on what I can control when on duty, and to re-charge myself with my time-off.
As we approach the end of this year and head into 2022, many people will make New Year’s resolutions. When it comes to self-care, I have found daily resolutions to be most important when it comes to starting, and sustaining a self-care plan.
For anyone who has never been given permission for self-care, please allow us at Oregon Care Home Consulting & Training to grant you this fully. You are worth it, and the service you provide depends on it.
Thank you for all you do each and every day.
