Sustaining yourSELF in Service

AMERICORPS PROMISE FELLOWS REGIONAL TRAINING

RENEE ANDERSON

NOVEMBER 2017

Overview o Breaking down sustainability, self care, self preservation

o Terminology and the impact of stress

o Sustainability long term

o 3 secrets of sustaining yourSELF

o Self Assessment and Small Groups

o Sustainability action plan

o Wrap up

Sustainability?

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation and that is an act of political warfare.“Audre Lorde, 1988

Self Preservation ~ Sustainability ~ Self care

“…We are stewards not just of those who allow us into their lives but of our own capacity to be helpful...”

C O N T E , J R . ( 2 0 0 9 ) . F O R E W O R D . I N L . VA N D E R N O O T L I P S K Y, T R A U M A S T E W A R D S H I P. A N E V E RY D AY G U I D E T O C A R I N G F O R S E L F W H I L E C A R I N G F O R O T H E R S ( P. X I ) . S A N F R A N C I S C O : B E R R E T T- K O E H L E R P U B L I S H E R S , I N C . AVA I L A B L E AT: H T T P : / / T R A U M A S T E W A R D S H I P. C O M / F O R E W O R D . H T M L A C C E S S E D J U N E 1 2 , 2 0 11 .

Terminology:

• Secondary traumatic stress• Vicarious trauma• Compassion fatigue• Burnout

“Secondary Stress Reaction”

The emotional cost of caring:

A response to the cumulative experience ofempathic engagement with people who aresuffering – the personal experience resulting fromhelping or wanting to help the suffering person.

Adapted from a presentation by Victoria Van Slyke, Ph.D, MSW, LICSW – Identifying Stress Reactions in Staff and Its Impact on Performance and Well-Being: An overview for supervisors

“Compassion Satisfaction”

The satisfaction or pleasure one derives from being able to do their work well.

It is the sense that one is making a difference in the lives of others.

Ongoing self sustainability vs. Immediate external gratification/permission

Ongoing self sustainability vs. immediate external gratification/permission

Strategies to boost mood, resilience, and increase happiness

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/building-better-mental-health.htm

What’s your WHY?

When do you feel most accomplished, fulfilled, full of joy, refreshed?

3 Secrets (ok suggestions) for sustaining yourSELF

Fake it till you make it

It means that what we think, do, and say matters; that it affects who we become on the outside, the inside, and in our brain. Mostly, it means that you can retrain your brain to be more

positive.

What does all this mean?

Power of Humor

Do you (do what works for you)

Acceptance, flexibility, and non-judgment“Mindfulness is not a test of your skills, nor is it a competition…Relate to yourself with a sense of caring, curiosity, open-mindedness, and acceptance. One size does not fit all in clothes or stress reduction strategies. Be wary of any set of instructions that demands absolute rigid adherence.

Instead, be creative and flexible, giving yourself permission to adapt and shape your efforts to your own needs. Similarly, try not to judge yourself or to be critical of your efforts…Any attempt you take to enhance your health and well-being is important. Be accepting of any setbacks or disruptions that occur. Instead of scolding yourself or giving up, regroup, refocus, and start over.”http://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/practice/mindfulness-10-lessons-in-self-care-for-social-workers/ (Deborah Lebansky Beck, 2016)

The scientific power of music

Be Real. With Yourself

On Yourself

Alicia Garza, Black Lives Matter Co-Founder

3 Secrets

1. Fake it till you make it, your brain that is.

2. Do you. (Do what works for you)

3. Be real – with yourself and for yourself

Strategies to boost mood, resilience, and increase happiness

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/building-better-mental-health.htm

Sustaining

YourSELF

Physical

Psychological

Emotional

Spiritual

Relational

Professional

Self Care Assessment How ‘well’ are you doing?

Where do you fall heavier or lighter in areas?

What are trends in your self care? Where you fall heavier or lighter in certain self care areas

What could you try?

What do you want to include more in your life?

Strategies to boost mood, resilience, and increase happiness

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/building-better-mental-health.htm

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/w0iVTQS8ftg/maxresdefault.jpg

Thank you for your service!

Renee Anderson renee.anderson.m@gmail.com