The Vital Connection Between Self-Care and Quality Care Delivery
At Nurseplus we know that our focus is primarily on providing care to others, so it can be easy for our care staff to forget one of the key tools that allow them to succeed in their profession: self-care.
It’s a cold hard fact that exceptional care delivery is closely linked to the well-being of the person providing the care. At Nurseplus, we understand this vital connection and believe it's important that we nurture this connection to support our care staff in their delivery of high-quality care and support services. Let’s take a closer look at the ways Nurseplus promote self-care for all our care agency staff and how, by working together with our care teams we can have a positive and direct impact on the quality of care we provide.
The true meaning of Self-Care
Looking after yourself can encompass a wide variety of practices that are aimed at preserving and enhancing your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. True self-care involves identifying and prioritising your own needs, setting clear boundaries at work and home, and engaging in activities that promote your health and happiness.
For all caregivers, self-care is not a luxury but a necessity. We encourage our care staff to take time to refuel, physically, emotionally, and mentally so that they can continue to provide the best possible care to others without compromising their own well-being.
Preparing our care staff
The role of a support worker, healthcare assistant, or nurse can be demanding, both physically and emotionally. As care agency staff, you may often find yourselves in high-pressure situations, juggling multiple responsibilities, and facing challenging circumstances. Without adequate self-care practices in place, the risk of burnout, compassion fatigue, and diminished job satisfaction looms large.
At Nurseplus, we provide all staff members with the necessary tools to equip themselves for work in the field of care. Through our interactive training sessions, candidates have the opportunity to grasp the potential challenges they may encounter in actual care settings. Additionally, we offer advice and support on how to detach from emotionally intense situations, enabling them to tackle the remainder of their day effectively.
Care for yourself to care for others
Your well-being can have a direct influence on the quality of care and support you provide to others. Should you neglect your own needs, you can become stressed, experience exhaustion, and find it difficult to manage emotional strain. These factors can lead to decreased empathy, they can compromise your ability to make good decisions, and will ultimately, lower the quality care you are able to provide.
Our branch teams conduct regular well-being checks with their staff to ensure they are managing the demands of their roles effectively. We encourage our care staff to communicate if they feel overwhelmed and provide them with the flexibility to choose their working hours to promote a better work-life balance.
Self-care that works for you
Find a way to look after yourself that works for you. At Nurseplus, we are committed to supporting our staff in their self-care journey, and that journey can look different for everyone. Here are some practical strategies that we encourage our care agency staff to incorporate into their daily routines:
Set Boundaries: You need to make sure you set clear boundaries between your work in care and your personal life to prevent burnout and maintain work-life balance. Our flexible working can help with this, we will never force you to fill shifts that don’t fit in with your other life commitments.
Practice Mindfulness: Find ways to incorporate mindfulness techniques into your daily routines. Engaging in meditation or yoga can help minimise stress levels and enhance self-awareness. Mindfulness will help you act effectively in challenging circumstances, allowing you to step back and identify opportunities to make a positive impact without compromising the quality of your attention.
Get Enough Sleep: An often overlooked tool in the caregiver's kit, sleep is a chance for your body to reset and recharge. Make going to bed a part of your day by controlling your environment. Switch off entirely, get comfy sleepwear and bedding, and really commit yourself to the habit of getting 6-8 hours of sleep each night.
Stay Active: On the flip side of sleep, being active can boost your mood, energy levels, and overall well-being. When you choose to work in care, your days can often be long, and demanding on many levels. You will need to prepare yourself for the physical, mental, and emotional exertion of your role, and by staying fit and healthy, you will be better equipped to tackle each day without getting worn out.
Seek Support: Remember you are not alone. If you are ever struggling to look after yourself, and in turn others, you have people you can talk to. Your colleagues are your best bet as they can empathise with you, and better understand the challenges you might be facing. At Nurseplus, you can always rely on our approachable branch staff for support. We are dedicated to assisting you in performing your duties effectively and providing access to resources for care workers, such as The Care Workers Charity.
Exceptional care delivery starts with self-care so at Nurseplus we will be sure to nurture and prioritise your well-being by creating a culture of compassion, resilience, and excellence. We are Better Together and by embracing the vital connection between self-care and exceptional care delivery, we can ensure that both our caregivers and those we care for can enjoy the best quality of life possible.
Taking care of yourself is not selfish—it's essential.
Posted on March 22, 2024 by Nurseplus