Self Care for Success
Social workers talk a great deal about self-care. We know it is important to take care of ourselves, otherwise there is no way we can be of service to anyone else. So, what are useful ways to think about and engage in self-care?
Everyone must find their own unique path, but one way to begin is grounded in our own social work biopsychosocial framework. Honest self-reflection about your status and how you are taking care of your physical health, your emotional health, and your social/relational health is a good way to structure an assessment of your self-care needs.
Based on a good assessment, the next step is to build a self care plan. There are lots of resources for this. One of my favorites is the self-care web site created by the University of Buffalo School of Social Work. Their Self-Care Starter Kit is wonderful, with lots of information and a great self-care plan template.
Finally, even though it is called self-care, no one can do this alone. Make sure you reach out to friends and family and ask them to support you in your self-care work…and reach out to your colleagues to support and encourage them in their self-care as well.
Take good care—the world needs excellent social workers like you!
– Dean Anna Scheyett
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