You're advocating for patients in high-stress situations. How do you prioritize your emotional well-being?
Advocating for patients often means working in high-tension situations. To maintain your own emotional well-being, consider these strategies:
- Set firm boundaries to protect your personal time and mental space.
- Engage in regular self-reflection to process emotions and prevent burnout.
- Prioritize activities that recharge you, whether it's a hobby or quiet time alone.
How do you balance caring for others with caring for yourself? Your strategies could inspire.
You're advocating for patients in high-stress situations. How do you prioritize your emotional well-being?
Advocating for patients often means working in high-tension situations. To maintain your own emotional well-being, consider these strategies:
- Set firm boundaries to protect your personal time and mental space.
- Engage in regular self-reflection to process emotions and prevent burnout.
- Prioritize activities that recharge you, whether it's a hobby or quiet time alone.
How do you balance caring for others with caring for yourself? Your strategies could inspire.
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I understand the need for self care, but I also understand the needs of the patients can produce situations in a split second, you have to be mentally prepared when you walk on a ward and or facilities gathering areas, patients can become overwhelmed with the continued structure of certain facilities, they become aware that they are there and this isn’t just a check in and check out as you please situation. On some locked wards, patients can get the sense of impending doom, you have to rationalize the irrational and be prepared for this situation to arise from the time you get there till the time you leave. Understanding this fragility is key to success in de-escalating a crisis, remain aware but calm, speak softly but assertive. 90%-10a%
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As Patient Advocates we must acknowledge that while we want to help others, we need to help ourselves first too. Mental and physical burnout is real - we're not superheroes with superpowers, we're human. Clear goal-setting, time allocation for specific activities, realistic and achievable targets are critical. Understanding that "I am not going to fix the world's problems overnight" is critical! Because we often feel "deflated" when we don't get it right after we've planned so well... Take an energy-disconnect time-out. This means even communications must be switched off (physical, verbal, tech, socials - all!). Recharging with a walk helps me personally. Solitary refocus and meditation to ground myself is critical. And then, we try again
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Acknowledging that we find a situation challenging or stressful is often difficult in itself. Recognising the signs of burnout, emotional changes as well as reduced work standard are often indicators that we are highly stressed. Taking the time for yourself to be away from work when possible, enjoying something that is meaningful to you. Could be spiritual, emotional or physical. Having self awareness and emotional awareness is not easy, we are our own worst critics at times. Finding what makes you happy, what makes you feel whole, and incorporating that into everyday practice, whether at home or work.
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I'll make sure to set professional boundaries which help prevent emotional exhaustion. By keeping the balance separation between work and personal time. I will schedule time for activities that relax me, like exercise or reading. Taking care of my physical health, eating well and getting adequate sleep are the key components of wellbeing
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Remember that any aggressive behaviour or emotional outbursts are rarely personally directed at you - they are 99% of the time frustration with systems, lack of communication, a bad prognosis, anxiety due to previous trauma It’s not an excuse - but recognition that it’s not about you is an important start point Have boundaries and be competent and confident, calm and kind - For example when someone is shouting say “I understand you upset but for me to help you I need to be able to have a calm conversation” Have someone in your team you can debrief with so you don’t go home upset, angry or overwhelmed Then at home practice your self care- wether it’s a walk, gym, or family time
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I prioritize my emotional well-being by practicing self-care, such as mindfulness and decompression after stressful interactions. I set healthy emotional boundaries, stay present but detach after my work, and lean on my support network for guidance. When necessary, I seek professional support to prevent burnout and regularly reflect on my experiences for personal growth.
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Advocating for patients can be emotionally challenging and sometimes even harmful to your mental health. While we all want to be heroes and support our patients, there are times when the best choice is to step back. If a situation is particularly triggering, it may be wise to bring in another qualified professional to take over. You could also consider swapping coverage of a patient with a colleague or simply stepping aside to assist the next patient. It's important to recognize that we can't succeed in every situation, and sometimes, the best way to protect yourself and your establishment is to step back.
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A mi ha resultado útil capacitarme en entrenamiento y afianzamiento de habilidades blandas en inteligencia emocional , de cara al planteamiento improvisado en consulta con la multitud de diferentes pacientes, casos o tipologías de procesos patológicos, ayuda mucho a afrontar cualquier estímulo que surja de la propia comunicación profesional/paciente, aliviar tensiones puntuales en confrontamientos por la actitud o personalidad de muchos pacientes, hay que saber estar y decir en cada momento y situación, el saber llevar una cita al terreno neutral con diálogo y acuerdos es fundamental en buenas relaciones de interacciones complicadas y difíciles con pacientes en situaciones excepcionales.
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As a mental health nurse with many years in the field, it takes professionalism and frequent reflections to not get overwhelmed by the personal and environmental influences impacting the mental wellbeing of my clients. One way I have been able to cope and even enjoy my work is that I have learned that work issues remain at work and personal issues remain at home. Being able to maintain this boundary has helped me thrive in my field.
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Firstly, I focus on grounding myself with a calm, steady mindset, which allows me to better assess and respond to my patients’ needs in a composed way. I also make a conscious effort to create mental boundaries, leaving work stress behind when I clock out. To unwind and recharge, I prioritize my relationships, like spending time with family, which has been a constant source of support for me. Another way to recharge is through exercise and meditation, which keeps me emotionally and mentally balanced. By maintaining these practices, I find I can be there for my patients with resilience and compassion, even when the pressure is high.
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