Self Care and the Social Worker Chapter

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Social Work: Creating a Self-Care PlanAccording to Birkenmaier & Berg-Weger (2018), personal self-care is very different from professional self-care. On a personal level, of course, it is very important to set aside time to relax in a relatively unpressured setting (versus having to arrange a formal outing for the family). But professional self-care specifically relates to setting boundaries. It is not enough to merely take a nice bath or have a nice dinner after a hard day of work, if there is still the pressure to check messages and communicate with the office. “Self-care can be defined as the self-initiated, proactive behaviors that are intended to maintain your physical, emotional, and social health” (Birkenmaier & Berg-Weger, 2018, p.1).Self-Care PlanTime ManagementA good example of professional self-care, for example, is setting a specific time after which individuals cannot call and letting individuals know they cannot always expect an immediate response to emails and texts. On a personal level, I often find this very difficult under any circumstances, but particularly in regards to texts from the office, I have a natural desire to respond immediately. I often create a negative pattern whereby I respond to non-urgent texts, simply to get things over with, but the result is I am constantly thinking about work, even when I should have my mind on my family and friends. Letting people know that my workday is digitally at an end as well as physically at an end after a specific time is critical. Setting aside times when to study and when to relax is critical.

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Physical ExerciseSetting specific areas where professional communications are off-limits as well. Birkenmaier & Berg-Weger (2018) speak of the importance of taking regular physical activity, such as yoga, to release stress and also to ensure proper breathing and mindfulness. Once again, letting work know that an hour before the day begins or an hour after the day ends is sacred for exercise is a useful way to both engage in proactive self-care and also to ensure better physical health. Physical activity is very satisfying, because unlike many professional tasks, it is something that can be accomplished in a clear and concrete fashion. It also provides the social worker with additional energy to return to work, and to channel that energy in positive rather than negative ways.MentorshipIt is also very important, professionally speaking, to set aside time to vent about professional issues in a safe and confidential manner with someone who is understanding but who will not violate any confidences. Having a mentor who is capable of specifically addressing professional stressors would be useful to me, as suggested in the textbook. Even if the mentor is not more experienced, knowing someone who is older and can offer professional perspective upon difficult decisions is a way to build confidence in the face of administrative uncertainty, or when coping with a challenging client. Over the course of this practicum, I will seek….....

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