UK-based psychologists, discover practical self-care techniques to navigate professional pressures and prevent burnout. This article emphasizes self-awareness and provides actionable strategies for replenishment, drawing on insights from clinical psychologist Judith Ancer. Integrate simple, everyday practices to maintain your well-being and enhance your capacity to support mental health in the UK.
Recently, I've become aware that self-care is a somewhat controversial concept. Controversial? Yes, because it suggests something about our lives being so stressful that we need to recover from them! Sometimes that's true though, and self-awareness comes first: we need to be able to identify when we're beginning to fray at the edges and when we need replenishing. For health professionals who have held their own anxiety and those of others or been at the frontline working with patients impacted by Covid-19, awareness of the kinds of activities that are replenishing has never been more important. This really is an important component of self-knowledge. Do you know what replenishes you? Is it Netflix, meeting a friend for coffee, reading, taking a walk, r getting away for a short break? Clinical psychologist Judith Ancer offers some practical suggestions which can become everyday practices, which don't require planning and can be done even if you only have 30 seconds, 3 minutes, or 30 minutes. If you're interested in her full, CPD-accredited talk on Covid and mental health, click here.