Burnout is Real: Self-Care Strategies for the Long Haul

Anyone else used to be a fiery advocate and now you feel more like a slightly warm teabag? You know those times when your emails sometimes bounce off your inbox like tumbleweeds. I've been there done that. My passion for my cause? Still there, but oftentimes buried under a mountain of questions too hard to answer.  Someone please send caffeine and a hug to remind me why I fight the good fight.  Maybe send a good old participation trophy to rekindle the spark. I know you've been there with me.

The marathon of patient advocacy

As a seasoned patient advocate, I've come to realize that our work is more of a marathon than a sprint. When I first started, I was fueled by passion and a sense of urgency to make a difference. However, as the years passed, I noticed the toll it took on me. Burnout is not just a concept. It is a true reality many of us face. I have learned acknowledging this is the first step towards finding better ways to care for myself while still supporting those who need us.

Recognizing the signs of burnout

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It creeps in slowly. If left unchecked, it can lead to emotional exhaustion, decreased performance, and a sense of detachment. I began noticing signs of burnout in myself when I felt tired all the time. Moreover, I was easily irritable and less motivated. Tasks that once excited me started to feel like dreaded chores. Recognizing these signs early helped me from going down the burnout mountain rolling flat faced and panicked. Eventually, I found strategies to help me stay grounded and effective in my advocacy work.

Self-care importance

Let’s face it self-care is important for advocates. Too often we work in high-stress environments, face our own emotional challenges, and deal with the complex issues of the individuals or groups we serve and support. However, there are ways that I have learned to practice and avoid complete burnout.

First, I had to prioritize myself. I realized that self-care is not a luxury. It is a necessity in my life for longevity in my patient advocacy. It was easy sometimes for me to forget this. When I’m immersed in helping others I put me on the backburner. Ultimately, I had to realize that I cannot pour from an empty cup.

Prioritizing my health

Second, I had to really believe that my physical health was important. That it was the foundation of my own well-being. As a former athlete I knew that regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep should be non-negotiable. And, for a long time, I neglected these basics. I thought I could power through without them. But I learned the hard way that neglecting my health only made me less effective in my advocacy.

Setting boundaries

Third, I understood that setting boundaries wasn’t just for others, but it was also for myself. It became crucial in keeping my mind on me. Honestly, it’s been easy to get caught up in the needs of those I advocate for. I could do it with my eyes closed while neglecting everything I needed.  It took me some time to see the importance of clearly distinguishing advocacy time from personal time. Eventually, I started scheduling specific hours to advocate. Then I made sure to disconnect outside those hours. This helped me recharge and maintain a healthy advocate life balance.

Practice mindfulness and stress management

Fifth, mindfulness and stress management techniques significantly reduced the impact of burnout. I incorporated meditation and deep-breathing exercises into my daily routine. These practices helped me stay present. Ultimately, it helped me to manage my stress more effectively. Even just a few minutes a day made a huge difference.

Seek support

Sixth, I learned that you can’t underestimate the power of a strong support network. Connecting with fellow advocates, friends, or a therapist provided me a sense of community and understanding. Sharing experiences and feelings with others who can relate helped to alleviate the isolation that often takes you over in burnout.

Engage in activities you love

Seventh, it was important for me to engage in activities that brought me joy and fulfillment outside of advocacy. I started to read more, walk more, garden more and try different things out of the box. Most importantly, these activities helped to replenish my energy. They reminded me of the true passion I had about advocacy in the first place. For me, rediscovering hobbies I enjoyed in my life brought a renewed sense of happiness and balance to my life.

Continuous learning and adaptation

Finally, patient advocacy for me has been a bit overwhelming at times. I know patient advocacy is constantly evolving, and I must grow with it. It’s a continuous learning experience. Therefore, I began to research and attend training sessions, like the patient certification, to enhance and help myself. I found that learning new approaches and strategies kept my work fresh and exciting, reducing the monotony that can contribute to burnout.

The long haul

In conclusion, patient advocacy is indeed a marathon. Burnout is a real and significant challenge.  With practical self-care strategies, it’s possible to maintain a sense of wellness as I advocate.  All in all, the purpose is to continue to be an effective advocate but also be good and helpful to myself.

How can you be and advocate for the long haul?

I would say if you are at that burnout point, remember, self-care is not selfish. It is vital and essential. As a matter of fact, by taking care of ourselves, we ensure that we can be there for others in the long run. After all you can’t pour into others if you are drained and empty. So, it’s important to commit to finding strategies that help us be effective advocates while also being cognizant of the needs that we have in our lives.