Earlier this month we discussed the many signs of burnout in healthcare professionals, as well as the importance of identifying those signs. Recognizing burnout as it hits allows healthcare professionals to address burnout before it escalates into something that would ultimately interfere with an ability to complete work effectively. But how exactly should healthcare professionals and facilities address burnout once they have identified it? Here are some of the most common ways that healthcare professionals address burnout.
Attending to personal needs
Of course, one major first step is to attend to the types of personal needs that those experiencing burnout often put on the backburner. Things like getting enough sleep, good nutrition, and exercising may seem small, but they make a tremendous difference in your overall wellbeing.
Practicing wellness
In addition to addressing typical human needs like sleep, diet, and exercise, there are many small things you can do to practice wellness in your life. Some examples include taking a moment to meditate in the morning, maintaining a social life, finding a creative outlet, and reading for pleasure.
Connecting with colleagues
If you are experiencing burnout in your facility, chances are you are not the only one. There are likely other healthcare professionals in your facility who are being exposed to the same types of stresses, be they traumatic events, long hours, or the stresses that come with being in an understaffed facility. Reach out to other employees who might be feeling the same way you do. Your facility might also offer opportunities for debriefing with other employees, as guided by a session leader or by a therapist.
Balancing selflessness and self-care
Sometimes core beliefs can be major contributors to burnout. If you feel that you need to forego your own needs in order to be the best healthcare professional you can be, for example, then you are forgetting the importance of self-care. While self-care does involve sometimes taking care of your own needs before someone else’s, ultimately it can enable you to provide better care to your patients.
Changing your environment
While of course a change in environment is not always necessary for addressing burnout, it is important to remember that sometimes changing your workplace can be exactly what you need in order to protect your physical, mental, and emotional health. It might be that your work environment is such that it will continue to be a constant source of stress, and you may very well have skills and knowledge that could be well suited to a different work environment. We at Fusion HealthCare Staffing are experts in identifying ideal matches for you and your background and are ready to help you find the ideal medical environment for you.