Being a caregiver is incredibly rewarding – you get to experience the richness of helping people and loving them. As a nanny, you are not only doing this, but you are also helping instill skills in children that they will take throughout their lives. Not to mention, you’re demonstrating what it means to be kind and compassionate. This is incredibly important work, and over time, it can feel exhausting. Feeling burnout is very real and working with children can be tiring emotionally, physically, and mentally. Here are some tips on how to prevent the feeling of ‘compassion fatigue’, so you can give your very best to the family you work with.
#1: Stay connected with your personal life.
When you’re with kids all day, it is important to schedule time with other adults. Set up regular play dates with other nannies and the kids they are watching. When you are off work, make time to connect with friends or family members. Having conversations and support from other adults helps you maintain your connectivity. It is important to not isolate yourself, as this can increase your feeling of mental exhaustion and fatigue.
#2: Get outside.
Now that we have moved into the season of springtime, it is the perfect time to get outside. Take in the sunshine, take the kids for walks and playdates at local parks to get their energy out. Fresh air works wonders for refreshing your mind and body.
#3: Do things that energize you.
Childcare is emotionally demanding. You are dealing with heightened emotions throughout the day from children at various ages and showing them compassion and love can be draining. That’s why it’s important to fill up your soul’s cup every day. At the end of your workday, do things that help you recharge. Maybe it’s exercising, sitting with a book outside in a park, or chatting with a friend on the phone. Make time to practice self-compassion, because this will give you the energy you need to keep giving to others.
#4: Don’t forget to take breaks.
Working with kids can be non-stop and taking small breaks during the day can be difficult. Even just five minutes where you can take a deep breath and focus on relaxing is important. Sit down with a cup of water or tea and focus on something that brings you peace before you jump back into caregiving.
#5: Get enough sleep.
Hands down, this is one of the most important things to prevent exhaustion in all forms. Put down the screens at least an hour before bed and read a book or magazine and focus on getting a solid six to eight hours every night. Good sleep will not only improve your mental acuity, but it will also improve your attitude.
Last, acknowledge that you are human. Know when you need a break. Pushing through burnout will only make things worse. Talk to your employer about taking a little bit of time off to re energize yourself. This will be not just a positive for your mental health, but it will be good for them to have you refreshed and ready to give your best efforts when you return.