For Psychologists: 8 Strategies For Taking Care Of Themselves
Psychologists are also human beings. For better or worse, they do not cease to be human in the day-to-day pursuit of their profession. In that sense, taking care of one’s own health is part of the job, especially if we understand the risk of potential burnout. That said, how are they going to take care of themselves? Of all the situations they face, which are the most dangerous for their own well-being? Today we will share some self-care strategies for psychologists and try to answer some of these questions.
Although psychologists work in many different contexts, human interaction is always part of the work. Whatever the specialty, it is important to remember that you can not pour from an empty cup. If you want to help other people, you have to make sure that you take care of yourself.
For psychologists: Strategies for taking care of yourself
The Oxford Dictionary defines care as ” providing what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance and protection of someone or something”. Thus, self-care provides what is necessary for your own health and well-being.
Self-care for psychologists involves certain procedures that ensure well-being. It is about taking care of your health in a holistic way. Here are some of our suggestions:
1. Self-knowledge
Self-knowledge is something we all practice to some degree. It comes as much from experience as from meta-analysis. For psychologists, this practice is especially important. In this profession, it is very important not to lose focus or fall into the temptation to project what we know about ourselves onto the patient.
At a professional level, self-knowledge also helps us to know which patients we can help, and which patients we should refer to someone else. This is a particularly valuable skill in a clinical setting.
2. Take care of yourself: Self-control
Another self-care strategy for psychologists is self-control. According to Store norske leksikon, self-control is “overriding impulses and short-term temptations in favor of more long-term goals or more rational choices”.
Self-control is the key to a psychologist’s well-being because it helps set and respect set boundaries. We create these boundaries during moments of analytical reflection, so that they are not affected by impulses that arise. Having control and being confident also makes it easier to connect with others in a personal way.
3. Resilience
Resilience is the ability to overcome problems. It is useful if you are trying to help others because you can share your own experiences with difficulties and how you overcame adversity.
If you are resilient, you will also have the strength to deal with the problems of others that remind you of your own. Our natural defense mechanisms usually try to avoid these triggering situations, but resilience can help you deal with it.
Clinical psychologists are often touched by the patient’s struggles and problems. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. If you have managed to overcome your own adversity, you will be moved in a positive way. It can even be transformative.
4. Take care of yourself: Go into therapy
This is an excellent habit, both for clinical psychologists and those who work in other contexts. Remember that therapy can help you understand yourself better, work your way through problems and give value to your work. It is an investment with a good return.
Therapy also promotes resilience and emotional coping, which are crucial to your emotional, social and physical health.
Constant interaction with patients can quickly lead to burnout. Psychotherapy is a great tool for avoiding emotional and intellectual exhaustion. Good psychotherapeutic supervision can also help keep the weaknesses and character flaws we all have in check. If you are struggling at work, do not hesitate to seek help for yourself. It is one of the most important strategies for self-care for practicing mental health professionals.
5. Rely on the social support network
A satisfactory social life is important for well-being. Thus, this is an important form of self-care for psychologists that we will emphasize. Promoting relationships with others on a professional level helps to develop empathy. On a personal level, it expands and strengthens your support network.
To get the most out of your social circle, you need to cultivate relationships with people who enrich your life. Remember to set boundaries for both your professional and personal contacts. Toxic conditions, after all, will not contribute anything positive to your mental health.
In fact, you can practice setting boundaries for people close to you who seek your (unpaid) help. Talk to them about how that dynamic is part of your work, and how it works in a clinical setting.
6. I take care of you and I take care of myself
Working as a psychologist entails an obligation to take care of the well-being of others. This obligation sometimes leads to engaging in a way that is beyond the bounds of responsible behavior.
In addition, psychologists, in their desire to help others, neglect their own mental health. This type of behavior will ultimately be detrimental to the care they can offer their patients.
7. Take care of yourself: practice mindfulness
Researcher Therese Eriksson at Umeå University in Sweden found that mindfulness can help reduce burnout in practicing psychologists. This study supports the idea that self-care practices are essential for keeping psychologists healthy and well.
Being aware of your own needs makes it possible to avoid and reach the breaking point. You can improve awareness through meditation, non-judgmental observation, detachment from the results, accept and let go, listen to yourself and connect to the present.
8. Disconnect from work
Disconnection means that there is time and place for everything. It means understanding when to release your attention from your conscious will (when you want to rest) and when not to (when you are with a patient, for example).
You should also come up with a set of priorities that protect what directly affects your well-being. In other words, your physical, emotional, social and spiritual self. Here are some activities that can help:
- physical training
- be with your loved ones
- eat with your partner
- to eat in an attentive manner
- give yourself time to be alone
- play
- to create art
- listen to music
- meditate
Finally, there are many different self-care strategies for psychologists. The most important thing is to be aware of the importance of self-care and use these strategies often. They are the key to preventing burnout. Then you can offer the best possible care for your patients.
