A group of people sitting in a circle, appearing to be in a support group.

Did you know that July 24th is International Self-Care Day?

How much do you know about Self-Care?

It was established in 2011 by the International Self-Care Foundation (ISF) and is recognized each year on July 24th as a symbol that the benefits of self-care are experienced 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

(https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/purduetoday/releases/2022/Q3/international-self-care-day-recognized-july-24-behavioral-health-tips,-resources.html )

As workers in the healthcare industry, it is important to prioritize self-care.  When working long shifts several days in a row, it can be easy to forget about our own needs.  Here are some things you can do for yourself:

  1. Maintain structure. If you exercised before, keep doing it. It’s important to stick to your daily routine as much as possible.
  2. Stay connected. Even as some healthcare workers transition to work from home, stay in contact with your colleagues, family, and friends. Use technology for things like game nights or watching your favorite show with friends.
  3. Ask for help. Know these signs of when to ask for help: 
  • Feeling extremely fatigued
  • Have fuzzy thinking
  • Experience exaggerated emotional responses
  • Have increased irritability and anger
  • Dread going into work
  • Begin to isolate and withdraw
  • Fall increasingly behind at work and can’t seem to catch up

(https://rogersbh.org/about-us/newsroom/blog/self-care-tips-healthcare-workers-front-lines-covid-19 )

If you have experienced any of the symptoms mentioned above, we do have some resources listed at the end of this article to help support you.  More importantly, if you would like to be able to support your colleagues who are experiencing this, consider signing up for a Mental Health First Aid course to help you to easily identify the signs and symptoms of many common mental health concerns. 

Sign up here: UC Learning Center

“Allow yourself the things you need right now. Whether that’s space, rest, support, or something else, know that you are not a burden for taking care of yourself.”

— TWLOHA

 

UC Davis Resources:

ASAP: hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/asap

Counselor drop-ins: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_byI2jDrEAPyQzMa?Q_CHL=qr

Support U Peer Responder Program: clinicalwellbeing@ucdavis.edu

Our website: hr.ucdavis.edu/prevent- workplace-violence 

Workplace Violence Prevention Program

Contact the Workplace Violence Prevention Unit:

 

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