Heather Arranie 
Picture this: you’re Jane, an ideal parent at home and a model professional at work—someone who always prioritizes the needs of his children and colleagues over their own. You strive for perfection and juggle both worlds 24-7, leaving little room for yourself. You skip meals, sacrifice sleep, avoid indulging in reading books and rarely work out or introspect. Over time, you start to be perpetually exhausted and become irritated easily. This irritation builds up to resentment and begins to impact your physical and mental well-being as well as your relationships with those around you.
This scenario may be fictional, but it describes the typical reality of someone who struggles to balance self care when caring for others. Plus, this is not something restricted to parents. Professionals from all walks of life, be it people working in creative fields or students pursuing an MBA in Nursing, face this predicament. However, it is vital to take the time out for yourself and recharge your battery. This could be magnified for people who work in the healthcare industry like doctors, nurses or caretakers who, by default of their profession, give the utmost importance to the needs of others. But practising self care is important as after all, you cannot pour water from an empty cup.
Understanding the Benefits of Self Care
While the term ‘self care’ may have the word self, it is not an inherently selfish act. A fully powered up and recharged you can be the best version of yourself allowing you to be a more empathetic, patient and energetic caregiver.
An elite Olpymic sprinter does not go full throttle from the get-go. He conserves his energy and practices hard to pace his run at the right moment. Similarly, taking the time out for yourself can help you avoid complete burnout. As a caregiver, this is critical as you need to be mentally as well as physically sharp in certain emergency situations
If you want to age like fine wine, self care would be pivotal. Practice what you preach. Periodic physical & mental checkups go a long way in finetuning both your body and your mind.
Self care also builds confidence. Taking the time out to sculpt those abs in the gym or calming your senses with regular meditation makes you feel more valuable and improves self esteem.
You become better at relationships as well. Whether it be personal or professional, self care leaves out space for introspection, leading to clarity of thought and action in interpersonal matters.
7 Actionable Strategies for Self Care
Prioritize
Feeling like you can tick off every box off that list? Think again. You don’t need to do everything at once. You may have the goal of attending to the needs of every patient in a day but being realistic is also important in the long run. Do what is the most important and let the rest go. Using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix could be a gamechanger in grouping your tasks.
Set Boundaries
You should take centre stage in me-time. Avoid thinking about work and family.
Your yoga session might clash with an informal visit to that patient’s relative, but your well-being is also important. De-stress and be in the moment. Communicate the same to others around you.
Be Realistic
You can’t always have perfect days. Things may not go to plan. A medical examination may take longer than anticipated, or a patient may not react favourably to your advice. Be calm and let it go. Give your best, and don’t stress about the rest.
Say No
While it may be difficult, saying no is always an option. You don’t always have to be on your toes and attend to each and every need of your peers, family as well as patients while ignoring yourself everytime. If you think it’s important, find someone who could do the job instead of you.
Communicate Openly
Have an open dialogue with your peers and family. Don’t hesitate to talk about your needs; just like you encourage your patients to open up and freely express yourself. Pent-up emotions and feelings can have a significant impact on your work as well.
Unplug from Technology
Feeling a headache after hours of doomscrolling on social media? We’ve all been there and done that. Make sure that you keep your phone away and take a real break.
Let your idle thoughts wander around, or do a passive activity that loosens you up. Handling distractions can help you make some time for yourself.
Curb unhealthy habits
It can be very enticing to fall back on comforting habits after a mentally draining day at the hospital. Gorging on unhealthy food and binge-watching your favourite show may be good occasionally, but it can quickly become a part of your regular routine as a way to destress and escape pressure. The dopamine hits may feel good, but in the long run, it is vital to be cognizant of such unhealthy practices and take corrective action.
The Way Forward
Being aware is the first step. Taking action is the next. You can start by observing yourself more closely and identifying the instances when you placed your own needs below others. After that, it is all about trying to implement these strategies in your life. Initially, it can be daunting to take the initiative and focus on yourself. But remember, soon enough, you’ll discover the positive impact on your mental well-being, physical health and self-esteem.
