Are you taking care of the most important person at your practice?
by Michael Jones
The patients at your practice, your staff, the physicians, vendors and other support partners are all critical to your success. But when it comes to self care, the most important person at your practice is … you!
The phrase “self care” has seen more than doubled in search volume since 2015, and Paula Gill Lopez, PhD of Fairfield University shares this in relation to the need for self care “We have an epidemic of anxiety and depression. Everybody feels it”.
Before delving into some ways to practice self care, we must first understand just what self care is. The National Institute for Mental Health defines self care as “taking the time to do things that help people live well and improve their physical and mental health”. Kaylee Crockett, PhD, a clinical psychologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham shares that while self care offers many benefits, including becoming proactive about illness prevention and building our ability to handle stress and recover from adversity, self care is often seen as a luxury rather than a need.
Along with Sumayah Abed, MD, Crockett shares these suggestions for how to prioritize self care ("Self care: What is it, why is it so important for your health" by Anna Jones)
Eat a balanced diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, seafood and nuts to improve energy and focus throughout the day.
Drink at least 60-62 ounces of water daily, and increase water intake during the summer. Limit caffeinated beverages such as sodas and coffee, and limit alcoholic beverages.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day. Walking daily helps improve one’s mood and health. Small amounts of movement add up.
Schedule time each day for relaxing and stress-reducing activities such as yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, listening to music, journaling, or trying out new hobbies that one can enjoy by themselves or with others. Hobbies can help keep the mind busy and are a great way to learn a new skill.
Get seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Avoid looking at phones or computers before bedtime since blue light from screens makes it more difficult to fall asleep. Violent movies and upsetting news before bed should be avoided; turn to uplifting books or influential podcasts instead.
Build strong relationships with supportive family members and friends, or seek out activities that provide an opportunity to meet new people such as classes and support groups. Reach out to friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help.
Seek help from a health care provider to get connected with counselors and other resources if you are experiencing distressing symptoms or your efforts at self-care are not helping.
Especially in the healthcare delivery sector, exposure to factors that go beyond what workers in other industries compound the need for self care even more. In healthcare, traditional workplace stressors like stress, anxiety and burnout are combined with compassion fatigue, moral injury, and many other identified areas.
All of these things underscore the need for awareness, removal of any stigma or preconceived notions related to self care, and a redefining of boundaries. Author Dimple Dbalia provides a summary in her article Why self care is a must have, not a nice to have by saying “You want to show up as the very best version of yourself, for your organization, and above all, for the people you serve. And the key to that is showing up for yourself first. Ultimately, treat yourself as you’d treat the people you serve or your loved ones and you’ll be well on your way to realizing that very best version of you”.
