Stars Wellness

Surviving the last stretch of 2016- Maintaining Emotional Health

Republished from: https://starswellness.wordpress.com/2016/10/28/surviving-the-last-stretch-of-2016-maintaining-emotional-health

How does one stay inspired?

Based on a very insightful article on the HelpGuide website, one of the best ways to boost your mood, build resilience, strengthen your relationships, and get more enjoyment out of life is to connect face-to-face with othersgroup32

This is the main purpose of the support group that was launch earlier this year by Stars Wellness‘, Ayesha Malagas. The group meets monthly and is a fluid group, meaning that members come and go and new and old attendees get to connect with one another. This model has optimised the networking benefit of the group. As the awareness of the group has spread via social media channels it has meant that more and more Social Workers are showing an interest in the benefits that the group aspires to.  These are:

  • Boosting Morale
  • The importance of self-care strategies
  • Challenges faced in your workplace/practice
  • Providing a supportive environment

The networking and sharing is focussed on learning from one another and really putting shoulder to the wheel within your area of expertise and making something of your passion.  The group is frequented by those in Private Practice as well as those who aspire to start their own business.

What makes us give up?

This is a loaded question and there are attendees that feel that the process of launching into the entrepreneurial arena is too slow.  They often need money immediately and cannot wait for the practice to take off.  This is a common problem and it is thus recommended that one is not desperate to earn a survival income.  One has to be in the correct mindset to start a strong practice with a proper business strategy or plan.  This ties in nicely with the HelpGuide’s 2nd tip – Get moving13962688_960879277374041_5394679865901560118_n

One cannot sit around and wait for things to happen.  We have to get out there; network; develop synergies and relationships and market yourself.  Yes, fellow Social Workers – sell yourself!  You are the product of your business and your skills are your services.  How else will others know who you are and what you do?

This time of year is a challenge but can be lucrative with the right connections/affiliations.  Another wonderful use of the Support Group is to assist members with information on these affiliations and to foster strong connections with fellow group members.  Much is learnt from our more accomplished members and no information is considered any less valuable.  All leads are followed up; all connections strengthened in order to get the most out of the sessions.  Learning to Manage Stress (the 3rd tip in the HelpGuide’s article) means that one has to remain on top of things.  Make decisions for yourself and your business as separate entities.  Although you are the business, your needs might differ greatly from that of the business goal.

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The End is in sight!

What is important to remember is that although the end of the year is stressful and you are usually drained and looking forward to a long holiday, this time is also a wonderful opportunity to boost sales.  If you had had enough experience and forethought, you would have taken your holiday at an earlier period to be able to stay open during the December/January period as there is a shortage of counsellors, but never a shortage of work from Wellness companies, etc.  It is never too late to learn this and now of course, you can plan better for 2017.

The importance of a good diet and regular exercise should never be underestimated.  According to the HelpGuide article, Let your diet support your brain.  This will give you the energy to keep moving and shaking and will also help to re-energise your mind and body.

The purpose of our work is to lift others; enhance their skills and teach them to cope better with what life has thrown at them.  This ties in well with 14034939_517851431744495_5533688040249250554_nthe 5th point in the HelpGuide article which is to Find happiness through giving.  This is something that is naturally a part of what we do and have done since the beginning of our profession.  Some of us make time to volunteer or offer pro-bono services to others – this is not necessarily what giving means to us as we give of ourselves everyday when a client walks into our office and we start our work.  It genuinely makes one appreciate what we do and reinforces the important role of a Social Worker in the world.

Many of you will go: “Here we go again” especially if you regularly follow my blog, but according to the HelpGuide article, it is important to Invest in self-care.  Again, this does not have to be a costly exercise but merely things like getting enough rest; getting a bit of sunlight everyday; enjoying the beauty of nature – getting out and about and exploring; engaging in meaningful work – easy! It is what we do everyday!  If you are truly following your passion, how can you not have fun!

None of this is difficult or impossible to squeeze into one’s day so stop looking for excuses and just pay attention to your body, your mind and your thoughts.

Should you wish to find out more about the Supervision and Support Group, please feel free to contact Ayesha Malagas on ayesha@starswellness.co.za or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/starswellnessservices.co.za or visit our website at www.starswellness.co.za.

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