d9 wellness and self care for service providers
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Inderjit GrewalInderjit Grewal
AgendaWellness and Self Care
Welcome and Introductions Review of Agenda What is wellness (small group exercise, discussion,
large group exercise) Break Threat to wellness, Stress discussion (small group exercise) Compassion Fatigue, Burnout Wellness and Self Care Planning Overview, Closure & Evaluation
Share with your partner
1. Share one positive thing you’ve learned about yourself since you started working in the settlement sector
2. Share one thing you’ve learned about yourself that you would like to change
Learning ObjectivesTo broaden your understanding of wholistic wellness, the factors that
support wholistic wellness in and outside of the workplace and strategies for evolving these.
To introduce you to new ways of thinking about the concept and practice of self care.
To reinforce self care as a professional right and responsibility.To expand your understanding of the differences between positive
and negative stress, the effect of chronic stress, indicators of distress and strategies for managing this.
To alert you to signs of distress, burnout and compassion fatigue and introduce strategies for preventing these.
To promote self-management strategies and self care planning as a means of achieving better work-life balance.
CompetenciesAt the completion of this training curriculum, you will be able to:
1. Describe “wholistic wellness” and identify the factors and circumstances that contribute to one’s well being
2. Identify stressors that compromise wellness and threaten to impede one’s optimal functioning both within and outside of the work environment, and identify strategies for managing stressors
3. Understand the origin of feelings of anger and rejection that are evoked when clients don't live up to one’s expectations; when feeling alone in dealing with families; and when feeling overwhelmed and hopeless about a family and their circumstances
4. Differentiate between chronic stress and burnout, identify symptoms of each; and identify preventive strategies
Competencies cont’d
5. Understand the importance of personal safety as a component of wellness, identify circumstances in which personal safety is threatened, and take necessary steps to prevent feelings of vulnerability
6. Understand the concept of boundaries and the importance of maintain personal and professional boundaries
7. Indentify self-management strategies that include setting realistic and achievable goals
8. Develop a plan for achieving wholistic wellness and identify appropriate self care strategies
Group Guidelines
Keep what is shared in the group confidential Speak one at a time Respect and value differences in experience, background, and
identity Take responsibility for creating an environment that is safe
for everyone Listen with the intention of understanding and appreciating all
in the group Please turn off your cell phones or switch to mute or vibration
ring
What is wellness
1. What constitutes wellness?
2. What are the characteristics of a well person?
3. Why is maintaining wellness important for professionals?
Wellness as a State of Living
“The state of living at one’s highest possible level as a whole person (and) maximizing
one’s potential while enjoying the process and maintaining optimal health along the way”
(Schafer, 1999)
Wellness is a Process
Wellness is an interactive process of becoming aware of making choices
towards a more integrated Successful, Wholistic and Balanced lifestyle.
Characteristics of the “Wellest”
High self esteem and positive outlook A foundational philosophy and a sense of purpose A strong sense of personal responsibility A good sense of humour and plenty of fun in life A concern for others and a respect for the environment A conscious commitment to personal excellence A sense of balance and an integrated lifestyle Freedom from addictive behaviours of a negative or health inhibiting nature A capacity to cope with whatever life presents and to continue to learn Grounding in reality Highly conditioned and physically fit A capacity to love and an ability to nurture A capacity to manage life demands and communicate effectively
High Energy Individuals
Get enough sleep Eat fresh, low-fat foods Are physically active every day Are intellectually stimulated Laugh often Enjoy supportive, satisfying relationships Have a sense of purpose Are committed to the common good
Six Dimensions Of Wellness
PHYSICAL INTELLECTUAL SOCIAL SPIRITUAL EMOTIONAL OCCUPATIONAL
BREAK
Threat to Wellness
What is the greatest threat
to Wellness?
Leading Causes of Stress Finances – 23 percent Job/Career – 21 percent Lack of control over their time – 12 percent Issues with spouse or significant other – 12 percent Child care/parenting issues – 8 percent Personal issues – 7 percent Home Maintenance – 5 percent Medical issues – 4 percent Elder care issues – 3 percent Pets – 1 percent Other – 4 percent
STRESS
“The nonspecific response of the body to a perceived demand or threat”(Selye)
Two Types of Stress
1. Eustress: helps a person perform at a higher level and achieve his/her goals
2. Distress: overwhelms and hinders performance and overall well being
Internal StressorsLifestyle choices: caffeine, not enough sleep, overloaded
schedule
Negative self-talk: pessimistic thinking, self criticism, over-analyzing
Mind traps: unrealistic expectations, taking things personally, all-or-nothing thinking, exaggerating, rigid thinking
Stressful personality traits: Type A, perfectionist, workaholic, pleaser
External StressorsPhysical environment : noise, bright lights, heat, confined
spacesSocial (interaction with people): rudeness, bossiness or
aggressiveness on the part of someone elseOrganizational : rules, regulations, red tape, deadlines,
oppressive cultureMajor life events: death of relative, lost job, promotion, new
babyDay-to-day hassles: commuting, misplacing keys, mechanical
breakdowns
Personal Stress Management Strategies
Good nutrition to energizeExercise to strengthen and sustainRest for renewal and rejuvenationSelf Awareness makes us wiserTreat life skills as tools for living sanerEstablish social connections for mutual supportSpiritual development that gives meaning and
purpose in our livesRandom acts of kindness for our spirit
Professional/Organizational Strategies
Supportive policies that recognize the stressful nature of your work
Meaningful supervision, consultation and peer supportMaintaining good boundariesA comfortable, safe physical work spaceOpportunities for and informal debriefing stressful eventsBringing humour, laughter, and celebration of successes
into our workAn organizational culture that abundantly expresses
appreciation and positive regard for its workers
Compassion Fatigue
Another term for “secondary traumatic stress disorder”
The natural consequence of stress resulting from caring for and helping traumatized people
The lessening of compassion
Strategies For Preventing Compassion Fatigue
Identify and work on healing your own painful life
issues Learn to protect yourself from others’ emotional pain Schedule time to simply relax and play Learn that strong emotions can be tolerated and need not
be avoided Treat yourself to laughter Embrace your spirituality
Burnout
What is Burnout
A state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion
Characterized by feelings of helplessness and hopelessness and by a negative view of self and negative attitudes toward work, life and other people
Marked by a loss of feeling and concern, a loss of trust loss of spirit
Wellness and self care planningRelax, Renew, Rejoice
Resources
http://www-health.concordia.ca/pdf/healthinfo/stress.pdfwww.seekwellness.comwww.nationalwellness.com (check free assessment)www.wellnessinventory.netwww.lifeevents.org/5-tibetans-energy-rejuvenation-
exercises.htm