The Importance of Mental Health and Well-Being of Support Workers
Support workers set in motion the care plans dedicated to every person individually. They devote their time and efforts to getting to know the individual and investing energy in finding better ways for the person to respond to challenging situations. Through a person-centred approach, support workers personalise and tailor care, they ensure the people they support lead fulfilling and meaningful lives.
Given the fact that it takes great effort to provide proper care for an individual, we can easily say that the role and responsibilities of support workers can be followed by many challenges. Different factors, such as work overload, compassion fatigue, and a lack of self-care, can contribute to the difficulties support workers might face.
Challenging environments have also been common in recent years where support workers are left to adapt to work in environments that challenge their core beliefs just so they can make ends meet.
In challenging situations, the most important thing for support workers should be taking care of themselves, their physical, emotional, and mental health. By ensuring their well-being and positive outlook on daily life, they can better focus on their work and provide exceptional care.
All workers, including support workers, have the right to a safe and healthy environment at work. Many actions and available resources exist to achieve this and prevent mental health challenges at work.
Here are our top 7 mental health tips for support workers:
1. Manage Work-Life Balance
Having a healthy work-life balance is important. Finding effective ways to recharge after dedicating your time to supporting people is a key element to accomplishing personal and professional goals.
The Mental Health Foundation discovered that 30% of the working population in the UK is unhappy at work. Their survey also revealed that many workers experience a lack of personal development, reduced home life and mental health challenges due to long work hours.
These factors can contribute to anxiety and depression, as people do not have time for substantial rest. According to the survey, as working hours increase, so does the amount of time outside work spent thinking or worrying about work. Therefore, work-life balance is a crucial element for achieving work results and accomplishing personal goals that make us happier, healthier, and more in tune with ourselves.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance has numerous benefits for both employees and organisations. When people are given the time and space to engage in personal activities and care for their well-being, they experience improved job satisfaction and overall happiness. This enhances their motivation, creativity, and performance at work while contributing to better mental well-being for the people under their care.
Healthcare service providers are responsible for ensuring this balance by establishing policies and offering resources. At Leaf Complex Care, we prioritise the well-being of our support workers and make them feel they are part of our work Family.
The following tips provide guidance in achieving a work-life balance:
- Prioritise rest. This helps support workers recharge their energy, reduce stress, and prevent burnout.
- Collaborate. Teamwork promotes efficiency, prevents excessive workload, and allows for a more manageable work schedule.
- Self-Care. Actively practising self-care promotes physical and mental well-being, such as exercising, mindfulness, or spending quality time with loved ones can make people feel connected. Whether it's a connection to nature or to people, we are dependent on forming strong bonds to improve our mental health.
2. Take Regular Breaks
Taking breaks and prioritising self-care is essential for the mental health and well-being of support workers. In roles that involve providing assistance, care, or guidance to others, it is easy to get caught up in the demands of the job and neglect one’s own needs.
Ensuring that support workers eat, hydrate, and care for their physical health is crucial for well-being.
Proper nutrition and hydration are significant in providing high-quality support and maintaining a positive mindset. Support workers can enhance their concentration, memory, and problem-solving abilities by nourishing their bodies with balanced meals and staying hydrated during breaks. Prioritising these basic needs and self-care ultimately contributes to overall job satisfaction for support workers.
Effective time management and task prioritisation allow support workers to allocate dedicated break times within their schedule. Setting realistic expectations, seeking support from colleagues and finding time for regular breaks can enhance their productivity and improve the care that they provide.
3. Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is crucial for support workers, who often face irregular working hours and night shifts. A lack of sleep can cause additional stress, anxiety, and discomfort, ultimately leading to burnout. Chronic and disrupted sleep patterns are also linked to a higher risk of depression and high blood pressure, so it’s vital to prioritise healthy sleeping habits.
Sleeping 7-8 hours a night is recommended, but we understand it’s not always easy to get a good night’s sleep. Trying to prioritise rest when you can is essential. With that said, sleeping for 7-8 hours a night has many benefits for mental and physical well-being, including:
- Improved mood
- Lowered risk for depression, anxiety and high blood pressure
- Clear thinking
- Improved immune system
- Reduces stress
- Improved communication skills
- Efficient decision making
Support workers should aim to incorporate healthy sleep habits into their routines. While support workers may work nightshifts and irregular working hours, trying to build healthy habits where possible will improve your well-being and quality of sleep.
To improve sleep quality, try creating a relaxing environment. Incorporating calming activities before bedtime, such as reading a book and taking a warm bath, can help in winding down and preparing the mind and body for rest. Additionally, minimising exposure to electronic devices that emit blue light is recommended. By incorporating these tips into their routine, support workers can establish healthier sleep habits, ensuring they get the rest that they might need to function optimally and effectively and supporting others.
4. Stay Active
An active lifestyle and incorporating regular exercise are crucial for well-being. A consistent exercise routine offers many benefits, including increased energy levels, enhanced self-esteem, improved focus, and better sleep quality. By staying active, support workers can improve their health and productivity.
Finding an enjoyable activity is the first step in staying active. There are many choices out there that can work, such as dancing, swimming, playing a sport, or practising yoga. With some planning, scheduling regular physical activity into your weekly routine can be easy. Additionally, seeking social support, for example, taking walks with friends or family, can enhance the enjoyment and motivation for staying active.
By prioritising an active lifestyle, healthcare support workers empower themselves to thrive personally and professionally.
5. Eat Well and Hydrate Often
Keeping healthy eating habits can sometimes be difficult for support workers due to the busy nature of work. However, eating well and staying hydrated is important for physical and mental health.
One way to combat this is to incorporate regular meals, plenty of water, and fruit and vegetables, providing the nutrients necessary for well-being. Support workers often work irregular hours and night shifts and may not always have access to healthy food. Where possible, meal prepping is a great source, and focusing on adding a few healthy meals a week can boost well-being.
To prioritise healthy eating and hydration, support workers can implement the following tips:
- Plan and prepare meals. When you plan and prepare meals in advance, accessing nutritious meals throughout the week and at work is easier. Balanced meals are hard to make when having to care for people that face challenges daily. Therefore, having preprepared meals on the go is always a win. Try including lean proteins, whole grains, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. They are known to promote mental and physical well-being.
- Stay hydrated throughout the day. Staying hydrated is important for physical and mental health, but it can be tricky to remember to drink water. Consider setting reminders or using smartphone apps to track water intake, and always keep a water bottle close to you.
- Don’t forget snacks. Incorporate portable, healthy snacks like nuts, seeds, or cut-up fruits and vegetables readily and available for quick and nourishing breaks. Maintaining blood sugar levels is crucial for managing challenging situations and feeling up to the challenge.
- Seek nutritional support. If you have the chance consult with a registered nutritionist to get personalised advice and recommendations for maintaining a healthy diet that aligns with your specific needs and schedule
6. Speak To Your Manager
Support workers should discuss their worries with their manager if they face any challenges. From there, you can try to resolve any issue you are facing, and it ensures your concerns are acknowledged and addressed. One approach is to request a meeting with your manager to address any challenges or concerns they may have. It is important to clearly express feelings, thoughts, and concerns during these discussions. This sets the tone for an open and honest conversation that results in well-needed change.
Also, maintaining connections and speaking with team members, friends, and family members when feeling overwhelmed is vital. Talking about difficult feelings that arise from challenging situations improves mental well-being and can make you feel closer to your team and loved ones.
Avoiding misunderstandings is crucial, so support workers should not hesitate to seek clarification when needed. Active listening plays a vital role in effective communication, so it is beneficial to actively engage and show genuine interest in what others say. Building a support network with colleagues facing similar challenges can help you solve difficulties together and feel understood.
In addition, support workers should consider seeking support from mental health professionals who can offer guidance, coping strategies, and additional resources to navigate difficult situations. By implementing these suggestions, support workers can enhance their communication skills and access the support they require when facing challenges.
7. Prioritise Yourself
When support workers feel stressed or overwhelmed, they may forget the importance of time for themselves. Prioritising self-care is essential for managing stress, improving work-life balance, and nurturing overall well-being.
Practising self-care can take many forms, and engaging in hobbies like gardening, cooking, and outdoor activities can provide a much-needed break. Simple pleasures such as enjoying a cup of tea, reading a good book, or indulging in relaxing baths can also reduce stress levels. Additionally, spending quality time with loved ones can foster a sense of connection and emotional well-being.
By incorporating time dedicated to self-care, support workers can effectively manage stress and improve their work-life balance. These self-care practices not only benefit the support workers themselves but also have a positive impact on providing care to others.
Leaf Complex Care Cares About its Support Workers
At Leaf Complex Care, we treat our support workers like a Family and prioritise their mental well-being. In doing so, our support workers excel at their roles and provide extraordinary results for the people we serve. We are proud to be certified as a Great Place To Work. This recognition is a true testament to our dedication to caring for our employees and prioritising the mental health and well-being of our support workers.
We are committed to the welfare of our support workers and foster an environment where they feel safe, seen and energised. We also aim to accommodate every need of our support workers. Therefore, Leaf Complex Care provides fantastic benefits and perks to our support workers, such as employee of the month, great referral schemes, and even car share schemes.
Leaf Complex Care is certified as a Great Place to Work® due to our efforts in creating an inclusive, supportive, and people-centred work environment.
Join our team at Leaf Complex Care and make a difference in the lives of the people we serve. Check out the open positions, and contact us today.
