Taking Care Of Yourself

1
Taking Care Of Yourself

• With a partner - Discuss The Following
• What major stressors do you experience - both at
  home AND at work? How do you cope with them?
• What specific strategies do you use to cope with
  stress? On a scale of 1 to 10 how effective is
  your stress management?

2
Taking Care Contd

• Complete the Adult Life Crisis Scale hand out.
• Complete the Stressors of Helpers on pg. 352.
• Do you see any patterns emerging between the two
  scales?
• What specific behaviors seem most stressful to
  you?
• How does stress affect your self-esteem, both on
  a personal and professional level?

3
Taking Care Contd.

• Constant stress that is not managed can lead to
• Self defeating thoughts
• Overgeneralization
• Magnifying or minimizing issues
• Avoiding responsibilities
• Personalization
• BURNOUT!!

4
Taking Care Contd.

• Burnout The result of severe, prolonged,
  mismanaged stress.
• Doesnt happen suddenly - rather an ongoing
  process that begins slowly and builds steam.
• Some symptoms of helper burnout
• Helper is relieved when a client cancels.
• Daydreaming is common.
• Therapy sessions lose energy.
• Helper gets behind in billing and paperwork.
• Helpers social life suffers.
• Reluctance by helper to assist client in
  exploring.

5
Taking Care Contd.

• Some Causes Of Helper Burnout
• Little work variation.
• Lack of meaning or accomplishment in work.
• Working with a very difficult population.
• Continued conflict/tension among staff.
• Dissatisfaction with agency philosophy / goals.
• Unresolved personal conflicts or issues.
• Unrealistic demands on time and energy.
• Feeling overwhelmed, unappreciated, uninspired.

6
Taking Care Contd.

• Points To Ponder
• You cannot be all things to all people - dont
  even try!
• Learn your limits and be realistic with your
  expectations.
• Know early warning signs - helpers are typically
  not very good at asking for help.
• Does stress control you - or do you control
  stress?
• Go Over handout on short/long term stress
  management.
• Share stress management strategies among
  classmates.