Self-Care for Allied Health Professionals: From Surviving to Thriving

Description

Self-Care for Allied Health Professionals brings together a collection of self-care strategies into one easy-to-read volume, supporting Allied Health Professionals to do the best for their patients by caring for themselves. The book offers information and practical strategies to look after your physical and emotional wellbeing at home and in the workplace, exploring topics such as sleep and food, resilience and meditation, stress, conflict and adversity. Written to be a flexible tool that can be read cover to cover or dipped in and out of as needed, it offers rapid response self-care strategies alongside more lasting changes, supporting practitioners to make small steps to build healthy habits for the future. Key features of this book include: –– A combination of quick response strategies, like a five-minute breathing exercise you can use before a difficult meeting, and opportunities for deeper work, examining your purpose and aligning your role with your values. –– Combines ancient practices of meditation and mindfulness with the latest research on nutrition, exercise, sleep and wellbeing. –– Consideration of the challenges professionals face in the context of pandemics and a changing health and social care landscape, helping you to thrive in a challenging world. Self-care has never been more important. This is a book that every Allied Health Professional and trainee should have on their desk, to improve productivity, enhance job satisfaction and build resilience for whatever the future brings. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Gratitude List Introduction Chapter 1 The science and the art of self-care DNA and gene expression The gut microbiome The stress response Tuning into our stress response The mind–body connection Changing our habits in an unhealthy world Notes Section 1 Our physical wellbeing Chapter 2 Breathe Breathe through your nose Unblock your nose Extend your exhale Alternate nostril breathing Notes Chapter 3 Sleep Support your body clock Leave work behind Download your day Yoga nidra Notes Chapter 4 Move Spend time outdoors Playful movement Restorative yoga Notes Chapter 5 Eat Mindful eating Eat within a 12-hour window Eat a rainbow Eat for hormone health Build a breakfast Lunchbox club Easy dinners Notes Section 2 Our emotional wellbeing Chapter 6 Resilience Gratitude practice Random acts of kindness Cultivate a sense of wonder Digital detox Finding flow Self-talk Make friends with your body Riding the wave of emotion Observing thoughts Our vulnerability CBA. Can’t Be Arsed Notes Chapter 7 Meditation Mindful meditation Body scan Breathe in the whole of creation Feel a sense of wonder for your body We are all made of stars Loving kindness meditation Notes Section 3 Bringing it into the workplace Chapter 8 Antidotes to stress Set an intention for your day Shift your perspective Small treats Stop blaming We are all allowed to make mistakes Chapter 9 Our work environment A workstation that works for you Movement throughout the day Desk yoga Support healthy food choices Leave work on time Notes Chapter 10 Team culture An empowered team What is urgent and what is important? Set service objectives as a team Effective emails Meetings with a purpose Meeting etiquette Space to think A connected team Notes Chapter 11 Conflict at work Everyone has intrinsic worth Practicing non-judgement Pick up the phone! Stop story-telling Depersonalise, re-professionalise Set boundaries for healthy work relationships Compassionate communication Notes Section 4 Our place in the world Chapter 12 Purpose Identify your natural gifts and learned behaviours Align with your values Find your purpose Your purpose in pictures Make a restorative playlist Set personal goals which have intrinsic rewards Live life as it if is weighted in your favour Notes Chapter 13 Adversity Writing therapy Post-traumatic growth Moral injury An emergency self-care kit Distraction behaviours A protective posse Forgiveness Notes Chapter 14 A better world Global citizenship Compassionate communities AHPs and the future of the world We have influence Notes Index