Healthcare workers improve and advocate for the emotional and physical well-being of their patients but frequently neglect their own. This can lead to burnout and impact physical and mental health.
OccupationalTherapy.com presenter Mira Rollins, OTR/L, helps occupational therapists identify specific symptoms of professional burnout and offers practical techniques to address it.
“As therapists, we often are amazing at taking care of other people, but we neglect the care of ourselves,” Rollins said. “Even though I care for so many people, it is ultimately my responsibility to take care of myself as well.”
The following information is taken from Rollins’ OccupationalTherapy.com course Self-Care Management And Professional Burn Out Reduction Strategies.
What is Burnout?
- Work-related stress syndrome
- Chronic job stress
- Physical & emotional exhaustion
- Cynicism & depersonalization
- Reduced professional efficiency
- Reduced personal accomplishment
Stages of Burnout: Know Your Stage
Stage 1: Honeymoon Enthusiasm
This stage is filled with productivity, creativity, commitment, energy, optimism, and an acceptance of responsibility. Rollins cautions that when you feel yourself slipping from the honeymoon/enthusiasm stage, it is critical to intentionally and aggressively identify what is moving you from that stage; the further you get from it, the harder it is to get back.
Stage 2: Onset of Stress
At the onset of stress, you may experience stagnation, irritability, anxiety, decreased focus, lower productivity, periodic headaches, and decreased sleep quality.
Stage 3: Chronic Stress Frustration
This stage can include apathy, persistent fatigue, procrastination, cynicism, chronic exhaustion, and resentfulness. Research shows that 30% of employees across all industries are in stages two or three of burnout.
Stage 4: Burnout
Stage four is when you have reached full burnout. Symptoms can include pessimism, self-doubt, social isolation, chronic headaches, neglect of personal needs, and obsession with others.
Stage 5: Habitual Burnout
This stage can include chronic sadness, chronic mental fatigue, chronic physical fatigue, and depression. Research shows that approximately 15% of employees across all industries are in stages four and five.
Self-Care Is Survival
“When it comes to burnout, the answer is self-care,” Rollins said. “You may only walk away from this with a few nuggets, but if those nuggets are consistently implemented into your routine, what if it backs you down the [burnout] scale?” Rollins says it’s critical to determine how burnout is manifesting in your life and develop a specific plan to reduce it. Her course offers these strategies for implementing self-care:
Physical Self-Care
- Sleep
- Stretching
- Walking
- Exercise
- Nutrition
Emotional Self-Care
- Stress management
- Coping skills
- Therapy
- Journaling
Social Self-Care
- Boundaries
- Support system
- Communication
- Positive social media
Spiritual Self-Care
- Time alone
- Meditation
- Prayer
- Nature
- Sacred space
Intellectual Self-Care
- Hobbies
- Creativity
- Reading
- Podcasts
- Establishing goals
Environmental Self-Care
- Clean space
- Hire help with organization, errands, & cleaning
- Be intentional about enhancing the “feel” of home
Vocational Self-Care
- Create schedules
- Time management & balance
- Have conversations with supervisor and peers
- Change positions, schedules, or roles if necessary and possible
- Take time off
“Stabilizing your personal state of wellness will drastically change your view of your profession,” Rollins said.
Featured Presenter
Mira Rollins, OTR/L. Mira has been an occupational therapist for over 20 years. The majority of her career has been spent treating geriatrics in rehabilitation skilled nursing facilities. Her clinical experience also includes spinal cord injury and acute care hospital settings. Mira has also had the honor of leading successful rehab teams in her role as director of rehab and regional manager. She now uses her 20 years of experience as an adjunct professor for OTA programs and as the owner of Mira j. Rollins Engagement Programs, a training and consulting company.