How are you? That question gets asked a lot these days, but with a global pandemic, remote learning, client transitions to telehealth and more upon us, it’s important to really answer that question thoughtfully.
If you attended one of our Balance meetings in July and August, you know how much we value self-care practices, like building resilience and engaging in mindfulness. We encourage all of our team members to find the balance they need to ensure a healthy mind and body, to reduce stress, and to give us the energy needed to provide the best services we can. It can feel challenging sometimes between the daily news stories, Zoom fatigue and the ongoing stream of caseloads. Sometimes it feels like not a single minute can be spared for self-care, but it’s critical to regularly check in and self-reflect.
Perhaps you’ve asked yourself one of these questions since moving to remote work. ‘Am I eating well? Can I work effectively at home, or is it impacting my concentration? Do I feel comfortable taking screen breaks?’ Asking these questions to ourselves, our teams, and our clients and their families can make a big impact. When checking in with a client or parent, asking how they’re doing can provide a lot of insight into their burnout and stress levels. Asking a staff member or colleague how they’re feeling can indicate how much bandwidth they have. And most of all, asking yourself how you’re doing and prioritizing your health helps you deliver the best services you can.
Check out our resource Mindfulness Basics for the ABA Practitioner, part of the BHPN’s Balance series.