Dealing with Stress (Professionally!)

At SelfharmUK, we really value you and the work you do and we understand that working in a caring capacity of any type throws daily challenges at you.

So how do we cope with all this?

For a while we can all manage a certain level of stress. Sometimes, the longer we are in a certain role, the more coping strategies we learn to manage that stress. However, our bodies, brains and emotions cannot cope with stress long term. We get ill, we get tired and make mistakes, we may come disillusioned by the job we once loved, we may get frustrated with colleagues who are equally as stressed as we are. 

Firstly, ensure you keep track of your wellbeing and inform your manager. It is our responsibility to be accountable for our wellbeing. There’s no point blaming our manager if we are off with stress, if we haven’t communicated our feelings of constant stress and anxiety. Talk. If talking isn’t easy, email. If your boss isn’t easy to approach, go over their head to the next person.

Non-managerial line support can be a vital lifeline in caring professions – having someone who is neither your line manager nor directly involved in the delivery of your work allows you a confidential outlet for the daily niggles and stresses of your role. Think about who you can ask to be that person for you.

Secondly, don’t take it home. Stress at work will cause a negative effect at home, we all know that but it’s way harder not to blur the two. Taking out your work stress on your family will cause home stress and then no place feels like a relaxing environment for you.

Perhaps use your journey home to process the day’s events and resolve situations before you walk through the front door? Or agree to have a 30 mins home ‘debrief’ to get it all off your chest before carrying on with your family?

Thirdly – Say "NO" often. Not unkindly, but firmly. In caring roles we say yes a lot. We need to learn to say no far more. Unless it’s safeguarding related, consider the option of saying no before you automatically say yes.

Don’t let stress stop you being caring. Care enough not to allow stress to dull down your passion. 

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek