Hustlers, today I'm sharing regarding a topic that has been on my mind lately, and one that will be especially relevant as we move into the holiday season... vacation! Vacation is a word that should always have a positive connotation, however for professionals in the field of mental health it can actually elicit stress. I know... pretty counterintuitive... the thing designed to relax us actually ends up causing us stress.
So why would vacation ever make a person feel stressed, you ask? As mental health professionals we invest ourselves quite a bit in our clients. We work with all kinds of different populations and risk levels. Naturally, we worry about how these clients will do without us being available to them. Will they relapse while we're away? Will they take steps backwards? Will they engage in unhealthy coping mechanisms? Will my absence spin them into a downward spiral that will reverse all their progress?!!
Sounds irrational right? It is. This way of thinking is flawed, bottom line. It puts way too much responsibility on the practitioner. Your absence for a week or two should not send any client into a downward spiral and, if it does, perhaps they need a higher level of care or there is something else fundamentally wrong that needs to be addressed. Now there are high risk cases, of course, that may need more attention. But these should be either considered for a higher level of care or a plan should be put in place while you are away.
So how can we disconnect when we leave on vacation without having to worry the entire time that we're gone?
1. Acknowledge the importance of your own R&R.
Before you do anything else, reflect on why it's important for you to take time off. Read the stats on burnout and the negative effects that it can ultimately lead to. This should be scarier than simply taking a week of vacation. Use affirmations when worry creeps in. The good old "can't pour from an empty cup" always does the trick.
2. Schedule your vacations in advance.
Giving your clients a couple of weeks notice will give them plenty of time to prepare for your absence in whatever way they see fit (perhaps they'll need a little extra support from family, friends, etc.). This will also give you time to work on a plan with clients (coping skills, self-care practices...).
3. Include protocol for emergencies in your out-of-office replies and voicemail.
Should your client have an emergency or a crisis, they should call 911 or a crisis hotline. Including this information in your voicemail and out-of-office reply serves as a good reminder in the case that a client is calling you in a panic. This will direct them to the right resources and give you the peace of mind that the information was provided to them in spite of you not being present.
4. Find a colleague that could cover for you if necessary.
Certain clients may need to speak with someone while you are away. In these cases, you should offer the information for one or two colleagues whom could cover for you during the time in which you are away. Most clients will usually be okay with waiting a week or two for your return, however it is always good to give them the option of speaking with someone else in the meantime.
5. Disconnect and ENJOY!
Seriously. You deserve time off. You owe it to yourself, you owe it to your clients, you owe it to your loved ones. Being the best version of yourself, professionally and personally, means taking time off to recharge.
Let. That. Guilt. Go.
Sending you love and encouragement.
Your hustler,
Karina G.
P.S. here is quick snap of my mountain getaway last week. I struggled with the guilt too and it inspired this blog! :)
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