The job of a child carer is a demanding one; mentally, emotionally and physically. We love our jobs, working with children is exceptionally rewarding, but if we’re not careful, we can suffer from stress, burnout and exhaustion.
We’ve put together some top tips to help keep you healthy and in tip-top shape to ensure that you and your charges receive the best care!
- Stay Active – One of the beauties of working with children is that you can tailor workouts to suit everyone. Take a walk together, go for a bike ride, or try dancing – any of these can help to keep you moving which will boost your mental and emotional wellbeing as well as your physical health. If you can get your charges involved, that’s a bigger bonus!
- Take Regular Breaks – We all need breaks. Time to step away and allow our minds to clear so that we can refocus and feel refreshed. Even a 5-minute break will suffice. Try giving your charges a quiet-time activity so that you can break for a drink of water.
- Socialise – Socialisation is important. It’s easy to settle into a pattern where you spend all of your time with your charges and lack adult conversation. Make time to socialise with your friends and family when you’re not working.
- What causes you stress? – Identify what causes you stress. Once you’ve done this you’ll be able to give yourself coping methods or work on preventing these triggers.
- “Me Time” is important – What are your hobbies? Is there something new you’ve been meaning to try? Is there a film you’ve been desperate to see? Scheduling time for yourself, to do the things you love is crucial to a happy, healthy lifestyle. Remember that it’s ok to do something that’s just for you.
- Think positive – We all have days where you feel as though everything has gone wrong, and maybe you shouldn’t have bothered getting out of bed in the morning. On these days, more than most, it’s important to think of the positives. Try to pinpoint at least one positive thing that’s happened in your day – there will be something, no matter how small.
Reducing stress and taking care of yourself will help you to be a better childcarer. Follow the tips above to help bring some balance to your life and enjoy a more positive, healthier outlook on life.