I’m writing this blog on a very turbulent flight from Auckland to Wellington. One of those hideous rides when the flight attendants abandon the drinks service and everyone starts to panic quietly. Ironically I’m reading a book about self-care for social workers and the helping profession (Grise-Owens, Miller & Eaves, 2016).
There’s a bit in this book that quotes the infamous safety briefing: “fit your own oxygen mask before assisting others” and this is the moment where I finally accept that guidance. For a long time, I have struggled to understand this. Every time I heard this familiar phrase, I’ve quietly resisted it. I know why it’s important but when confronted with someone else in need, it’s hard to implement. I know that tending to our needs puts us in a stronger place to help others in need, but somehow I find that difficult to practice with my own hauora in extreme moments.
The change for me happened when I read this quote: “Taking care of ourselves is a way of taking care of our clients. When we feel the stress of burnout or secondary traumatic stress, we will not work competently or effectively with our clients” (Thompson, 2016). If I don’t fit my oxygen mask first and try to help the person beside me, I might create a greater burden for them. I need to ensure I’m in the best shape possible to help others.
Therefore self-care is more selfless than selfish. If we reflect on Jacinda Ardern’s recent resignation as Prime Minister, she bravely acknowledged her tank was depleted. It’s a big call and an excellent example of self-care. And I’m pleased to report as this plane gets closer to Wellington, the bumps are easing. Oops, maybe I spoke too soon……
Ngā mihi, Rod
References
Grise-Owens, E., Miller, J. & Eaves, M. (2016) Eds. The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals. New Social Worker Press.
Thompson, V. L. (2016) Values – Reflections on Who I Am and Why I’m a Social Worker. One of the contributions in the book cited above.
