Here I am in the beautiful Crystal Ballroom of the Roanoke Hotel and Conference Center speaking to 170 members of VALA. The theme was “Set Your Goals in the Right Direction” and it was so smart to include how to take care of yourself as you care for others. As I told the group, “You’re really good at helping people at this critical time in their lives when they can no longer live alone. That muscle is a six-pack. It’s strong, but none of us can sustain this effort unless we also care for ourselves.”  We talked about common sources of stress: this is a 24/7 job, it’s highly regulated, there’s a lot of turnover especially with CNAs and other staff, and you’re increasingly dealing with residents with serious medical issues.

One woman told me after my talk, that she had turned her whole life around. She began taking care of her own health, lost a lot of weight, invested in additional education, and starts each day with gratitude. A man I spoke with told me that the government regulations–which according to him make little sense–drive him crazy, but that he’s learned how to accept them and make his facility the best he can.  We covered a wide range of burnout busters–from exercise, to prayer, to trying out a new craft. The key is to make time to use these tools. They won’t do you any good gathering dust in a drawer.

Work is called “work” for a reason–it takes effort and often isn’t easy. But work should also be fun. It’s wonderful to have a team that you’re proud of, to see the difference you’re making in people’s lives, and to invest in yourself so that each day is an adventure. I’d love to hear how you’re using your Burnout Busters!