Help Sign
by Erlene Grise-Owens, Ed.D., LCSW, MSW, MRE, and Mindy Brooks-Eaves, DSW, CSW, two of the co-editors of The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals
In this time of political uncertainty and cultural stress, social service organizations are experiencing critical challenges and even crises. We’ve been through these times—recently and over the course of careers. We chatted with colleagues who are/have navigated organizational crises to consider how we can practice self-care during these challenges. Here are our top three strategies. What would you add?
Remember, You’re Not That Important
During an organizational crisis, staff often hear, “We must do more with less.” Staff respond by harnessing resources! The tendency, unfortunately, is to work harder and longer to ensure the organization stays afloat. Staff sacrifice personal time typically reserved for rejuvenating parts of life, e.g., family, friends, recreation, rest, and so forth. Inevitably, this self-sacrifice leads to professional depletion, which expedites burnout.
We must accept that, although our contributions matter, we are not that important! We must counter the often-unquestioned beliefs that the organization ceases to function without our presence or we must compensate for the dysfunction often magnified in a crisis.
By no means are we suggesting abdicating responsibilities at work! However, a realistic stance and recalibration of time is essential. For example, schedule specific days for working extra time, with a firm stopping point. Then, cease work for the remainder of the day—e.g., no checking emails and taking or making work calls. Now is the time to prioritize personal time as an antidote to being consumed by the crisis.
Focus on the Basics
In crisis mode, it’s easy to neglect self-care basics. It’s normative to see people working through lunch or eating a vending machine lunch. You know, that lunch of chips and soda!
During organizational crisis, be radically dedicated to self-care basics! Nutrition, rest, and movement are even more critical to maintain. Taking breaks to walk outside and eating lunch outside the office are strategies to rejuvenate at work.
How you prioritize self-care basics may vary. Attend to professional self-care, too!
Continue Investing in Healthy Relationships
A typical response to an organizational crisis is isolating and hunkering down. Instead of distancing from trusted, supportive people, double-down on your investment in those relationships! This crisis is an opportunity to enlist help from colleagues who genuinely care about your well-being and offer you a safe space to express your feelings, fears, and thoughts openly. Realistically, your self-care circle may be small—but it can have a mighty impact!
While investing in healthy relationships, know who will "have your back" and who won’t. Spend time with those in the former category and minimize or neutralize your contact with those who don’t. Relationships are like gardens, as Wade Drury wrote in the “R” - Relationships entry of the Self-Care A-to-Z Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals, “weed out” relationships to make room for those that brighten your life like roses in the garden!
An organizational crisis can magnify workplace stress. Use this crisis as an opportunity to prioritize self-care, which will serve you well during the crisis and beyond.
Dr. Erlene Grise-Owens, Ed.D., LCSW, MSW, MRE, is a Partner in The Wellness Group, ETC. This LLC provides evaluation, training, and consultation for organizational wellness and practitioner well-being. Dr. Grise-Owens is lead editor of The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals. As a former faculty member and graduate program director, she and a small (but mighty!) group of colleagues implemented an initiative to promote self-care as part of the social work education curriculum. Previously, she served in clinical and administrative roles. She has experience with navigating toxicity and dysfunction, up-close and personal! Likewise, as an educator, she saw students enter the field and quickly burn out. As a dedicated social worker, she believes the well-being of practitioners is a matter of social justice and human rights. Thus, she is on a mission to promote self-care and wellness!
Dr. Mindy Brooks-Eaves, DSW, CSW, received her Doctor of Social Work from St. Thomas University and Master of Social Work from Spalding University. She is a co-editor of The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals.