Whole-person Wellness Blog: What does well-being mean to you?

There is a lot to celebrate in March. It is a time of new beginnings, as winter comes to a close and spring welcomes us with warmer and longer days. We’ll mark Employee Appreciation Day on Friday, March 6, and Health Workforce Well-Being Day on Wednesday, March 18. Both days recognize the impact of workforce burnout, especially in health care, and the necessity of self-care and healthy coping strategies in moments of stress.

This month, we’re highlighting colleagues’ stories about how they combat burnout.

When I start to feel overwhelmed, I try to give myself a few intentional moments to ground myself and reset. I might journal, move through some yoga, listen to music, breathe in essential oils, or make myself a cup of peppermint tea. These small rituals help me reconnect with myself, cultivate gratitude, and return to the present moment with a clearer, calmer mind. – Mia Paris, case manager, Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence

As compassionate people here at The Wright Center, we are deeply committed to caring for others to the best of our abilities, but sometimes that means we forget to care for ourselves. You cannot fill from an empty cup. I have found my leading cause of burnout to be balancing school and work, which a lot of us do on a day-to-day basis. As a psychology student working in behavioral health, I know firsthand how easy it is to take work home emotionally, continue thinking about the patients or work responsibilities after hours, and push personal needs aside because of the empathy we hold in our hearts.

Over time, this can lead to burnout without us realizing it. I’ve learned that in order to overcome burnout, you have to acknowledge it. Saying it out loud and permitting yourself to admit you’re overwhelmed is the first step to feeling better. Then confide in someone you trust, whether a loved one or your supervisor, if it is work-related. From there, self-care is a must – whether journaling, attending therapy, practicing yoga, exercising, spending time with loved ones, or even just simply setting clearer boundaries for yourself.

Small, consistent actions push us to restore balance, which is important in all aspects of our lives. When we take care of ourselves, we are equipped to continue caring for others, putting us on a great path to continuing to serve The Wright Center’s mission. – Kayla Disbrow, clinical administrative assistant, behavioral health

Managing a brain tumor while working full-time and going to school full-time has forced me to be much more intentional about my stress. I’ve learned that if I don’t actively take care of myself, I tend to overthink, and then burnout isn’t far behind. My newest hobby of wood burning, or really, creating any form of art, helps to quiet my mind and stop my overthinking. Focusing on creating something with my hands helps me reset, stay grounded, and keep perspective so I can show up the way I need to, both at work and in life. Art is my therapy. – Dawn Witko, finance operations specialist

I experienced burnout like a silent killer for many years, beginning when I started working as a professional humanitarian. At the time, I was not prepared to identify the signs and symptoms that came with it. Over time, however, I learned how to recognize when I am overwhelmed and to take steps to address it.

The signs for me have included nightmares, increased nail-biting, forgetfulness, hair loss, itching, and a tendency to withdraw from others. I also became unusually sensitive to small things, such as negative feedback or a lack of recognition, things that normally would not affect me. Gradually, I learned to use wellness practices not only to recover from burnout, but also to prevent it. I created a wellness plan that includes activities I do on my own as well as with my family. The overall goal is to focus on what I genuinely enjoy to support my physical and mental well-being. I began implementing the plan last September when I felt both my wife and I were struggling mentally. Our plan includes time to play pool, cards, and dominoes together. Each weekend, one of us chooses a movie, and one prepares the snack, making it a shared, intentional experience.

On a personal level, I continue going to the gym, but with a renewed purpose: I dedicate that hour not only to physical exercise, but also to listening to a podcast. I participate in wellness activities offered at The Wright Center, such as art sessions, which help me reset mentally. I would spend time on the phone with friends to enjoy the benefits of positive social support. Recently, I have also discovered that spending a few hours at the grocery store with my wife can be surprisingly meaningful. It gives us time to joke, talk, and simply enjoy each other’s company, even listening to all her ‘gossiping’ (lol).

I plan to make this a permanent part of my wellness routine. Through this journey, I have come to believe that there are only benefits to embracing wellness, and it can begin with simple things you enjoy doing, without pressure or obligation. Wellness helps you feel that you are truly living. – Frantzcy Bazelais, program assistant, Ryan White Clinic

Whether you find inspiration in our colleagues’ stories or you have your own tried-and-true methods of self-care, please take some time for yourself this month. You deserve it.

Thank you,