10 Tips to Avoid Burnout as a Social Worker || Social Work Scrapbook Ep.42

Hi everyone--It is officially my tenth year as a social worker and now I am spilling all my tips, beginning with ten tricks to avoid burnout.
Burnout is something that is not new to me. I have worked within foster care, juvenile correctional facilities and schools. Whenever we work with new populations, we need to take care of ourselves even more through the learning curve associated with the change.
This year has been particularly tough on me as I have taken on a new role as a high school social worker.
Watch the video HERE for my top 10 tips and ways that I have prevented burning out in the field of social work.
1- Start a AM routine to recharge yourself
my routine consists of meditation, morning pages and coffee of course.
2 - Rest and relax & don't feel guilty for it.
3- Take Mental Health Days
not a sick day, a day for you to take care of yourself.
4- Delegate
Time yourself and your biggest tasks as work. Is there any way you can streamline this process, and possibly get some help from colleagues and staff.
Having trouble letting go of responsibilities as work--try delegating at home. There are endless amount of services that are meant to make life easier -- use them
5- Be future focused
It does not have to be a lavish trip or vacation...plan lunch with your bff or sister.
6- Get Out
Do not underestimate the wonderful energy that is ready and available to us via nature.
7- Music
Let loose and listen to your favorite songs as well as new music.
8- See the Good all around you!
9- Get serious & plan out your self care
I mentioned a self care plan that is gold! Look for it and join the community at www.cultivatedhealer.com
10- Professional Development
Seek trainings that you find interesting
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Filmed & Edited by Lauren Gutierrez | @socialworkscrapbook

[@MaetheSocialWorker]

Thank you so much for these tips. I am reaching my 1 year mark in practicing and i have started to feel burned out but i know i need to practice self care more.

[@adrianagil9224]

Could you make a video on your experience working within a juvenile correctional facility? I’m interested in that job setting. What was your role, pros and cons, etc. :)

[@SocialWorkScrapbook]

Oh yes! I would love to- it was one of my favorite jobs ❤️

[@blowurn0se]

Aspiring social worker, currently in uni. Thanks for your videos :)

[@SocialWorkScrapbook]

you are so very welcome!

[@celestialxdiva]

Really good tips for aspiring SWs! Thank you so much! 🙂

[@rachelwalker9634]

Love your videos! But I’d love to see your self care routine as well ❤️

[@tzipporah7635]

Love these tips:) For me, delegating also looks like asking my older teens to help out more around the house with cooking, dishes...etc. Helps mom and teaches them life skills, so its a win-win!

[@jazlovespink6024]

Hi from Australia! Thanks so much for sharing. This was very helpful. Hopefully face to face raining will recommence soon. It’s all still online because of COVID.

[@sandousm3695]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR VIDEOS YOU’VE HELPED ME SO MUCH

[@SocialWorkScrapbook]

Sandy M yay!! I’m so happy to hear that!! You are very welcome 🙏🏼

[@SisterJudah144]

Great video! Do you have a link or pdf for the Self Care Plan you showed on step 9? I found the webpage but its under construction :(

[@jashanae09]

Thank you for this 😊

[@SBrierly1991]

Such a good suggestion RE seeing how the other population lives and being around others who have stability! Would love to hear more about how you worked through your self plan etc!

[@SocialWorkScrapbook]

Will do! and thank you so much for the comment!

[@Yolduranduran]

I totally agree about the music part. I'm surprised how good music makes me feel

[@JB-gt5ws]

Love this!!

[@SocialWorkScrapbook]

THANKS xoxo!

[@Yolduranduran]

Learn to allow a difficult case be transferred out of your caseload. For a long time I felt like no one else could handle this case but me. Wrong. After many years of dealing with this case it was time to allow it to transition to someone else. The client continues to do well and so am I. 😊

[@DonzellLampkins]

Happy 10th social workiversary!

[@SocialWorkScrapbook]

Donzell Lampkins 😊 thanks- I’m so blessed to be doing what I love!!!

[@Medietos]

@@SocialWorkScrapbook Hello, Are you as warm and present towards your clients too, or just on videos? Ia have been much hurt, ignored, abused, deceived and exploited by social security workers, which has resulted in new illnesses and new traumas. IDK why they hurt someone hurt, do you, please? How do I contribute to its stopping, and getting my personal assistence eventually instead? I was sent to apply for personal assistence after my late diagnosis (Aspergers) in 2008, Anchylosing Spondylitis late dia.too. One thing to not provide the help, another and even worse one to pretend, promise, keep me tied up waiting, wondering, staying in the air, unable to op¨plan my life. Have lost these past 11 years, getting very ill phýsically with the constantly renewed stress instead of diminishing the original one. All my time and energy has gone to deal with and survíve their dealings instead of taking care for my health, teeth, healing etc (which can't be done alone in isolation of course), but would still be better off alone than under their constant gas-lighting, ignoring, double standard cruelties in warm, calm, very deceptive and confusing voice/way. Pleas reply if possible. keep well!

[@dtannariello]

I just discovered your channel yesterday and am watching all your videos! I earned my BSW in May 2019 and plan in enrolling in an MSW program in Fall 2020.

[@SocialWorkScrapbook]

Thanks for watching-- I just posted a NEW video that I know you would like-- Its all about the MSW program...an all inclusive Q n A!!!

[@ir6aish]

Thank you.

[@tumblenc]

thank you for these tips, I’ll be saving this video. I’m not a social worker but I work with teenagers, it’s new for me and very exhausting. looking for ways to cope with the mental tiredness I get in this job.

[@SocialWorkScrapbook]

So happy I could help. It is draining work...thanks for watching!

[@mssheepzzzz]

Thank you for sharing! For me, I worry about nothing and pray about everything is the first self care. Then I follow with doing all the girly stuff lol

[@lauriesstory5894]

I’ve been working in child welfare and trust me I’ve needed this. I see more in one day than most people (non social workers) probably see in their whole lives. It’s a lot to take on and burnout does happen.

[@SocialWorkScrapbook]

Thanks for what you do and YES! Please take care of yourself.

[@mariamkocharyan3499]

thank you!!! From Russia

[@michellysilva5729]

Teen moms are dear and near to my heart and they are the population I would like to work with. Can you please share your experience with parenting teens. Thank you!

[@dipjyotiry7159]

I'm about to complete my MSW degree 🤗

[@annettemalino]

I appreciate your post. It's no secret we need to promote self-care to prevent burnout. But the details you provided were perfect. Thanks for sharing!

[@SocialWorkScrapbook]

For sure! Thanks for sharing!

[@stargalindo8080]

Can you make a video on how you organize your interventions and take them with you? I live in Los Angeles and I will like to know how to do the DMH. Any tips. Thank you

[@SocialWorkScrapbook]

great request! I will work on a video about this!

[@hopeshelton2008]

I don't know if I am just missing it but would you please send me the link for your friend's Self-Care Routine that you discussed.

[@benalortman5525]

Happy Social Worker month!

[@SocialWorkScrapbook]

Just saw this! Thank you so much!!!

[@SarahSquarah]

Idk if you’ll ever see this but can you link the self care plan? I don’t see it

[@SocialWorkScrapbook]

This resource was removed but I am working on creating a self care webinar very soon! Any specific questions?

[@gabrielagabyrodriguez72]

Love the videos, but please get a better microphone.

[@sherrymaymendoza5084]

Is being a social worker is difficult?

[@SocialWorkScrapbook]

It has its good and bad days. Your social work education prepares you for any and all you will face.

[@frankie9953]

@@SocialWorkScrapbook I think your Social Work education can only prepare you so much. It can't prepare you for everything you can (and likely will) face in this vast field. Honestly, nothing can.