What Can I do for Myself to Reduce Risk…
Sometimes using a simple distraction like taking your lunch break away from a desk or department office can be enough to help reset; try going for a walk around the hospital grounds, listening to the sounds and having a strict ‘no work talk’ policy with those you are walking with, you don’t get paid for your lunch break so make it about yourself.
If you find yourself getting stressed or waking in the middle of the night try to focus on thoughts of something positive you have planned such as a holiday or time with family, get those work thoughts out of your head during your downtime.
Resilience and self-care can be practiced by taking some tips from the Japanese:
- Oubaitori – never compare yourself, everyone blossoms in their own time in different ways, don’t judge yourself by someone else’s path
- Kaizen – continuously improve across all areas of your life, small changes accumulate and make all the difference
- Wabi-sabi -embrace imperfection, accept your own flaws and those of others
- Gaman – Have dignity during duress, patience, perseverance and tolerance
- Ikigai -know your reason for being, define the reason you get up in the morning, make it something you are good at, passionate about and that the world needs
- Shikita ga nai – Accept and let go, accept what you cannot change and move on
- Kintsugi – repair cracks with gold, the journeys we all take are golden, our flaws are embellishments that make us more beautiful
- Omoiyari – show consideration for others, be thoughtful, build compassion
If you don’t already do it, try using your clinical supervision sessions that your employer is supposed to provide for you; if there isn’t the offer of clinical supervision find out why and do something about it.
There is plenty of advice about places you can get help to be found below.