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This blog post is all about feeling burnout at work.
Besides being a mom, arguably, working in childcare is one of the hardest jobs! While being a home daycare provider is very rewarding, it's also very stressful. There are so many directions a daycare provider is being pulled in at one time, and let's not mention the low pay. Essentially, it leaves us feeling burnout at work!
What can we do to prevent this feeling, if anything? The good news there are steps you can take to prevent feeling burnout at work!
Let's dive into it!
FEELING BURNOUT AT WORK
What Is Burnout
Burnout is a feeling of not being able to keep going on like this, being overwhelmed, stressed, and exhausted. It's caused by both work and life stress, paired with the queen of overthinking. It can lead to depression, which is why it's vital to take action.
Feeling burnout at work doesn't happen overnight. It's a gradual process that manifests in many ways. It's a sign from your mind and body that you need to make a change.
As a childcare provider, you wear many hats: guardian, friend, educator, first responder, referee, counselor, chef, janitor, administrator, marketer, and so much more. Honestly, it's not a matter of whether you'll feel burnout, it's a matter of when.
Burnout Symptoms
Feeling burnout at work is a serious issue. It can show up in many ways. Listed below are a few.
- overly fatigued, no matter the amount of sleep
- negative self-talk
- insomnia
- body aches
- feeling irritable towards children and parents
- dreading your work, that once was loved
- Sunday scaries
- lack of motivation
- can't stay organized
- headaches
- recurring sickness
- withdrawal from hobbies and social events
- procrastinating
- loss of creativity and wanting to do activities with daycare children or your own
- increased anxiety & stress
You may feel all of these symptoms or some of them. Burnout doesn't happen overnight; it builds up over time when your self care, boundaries, and rest are put on the back burner. Read more about The Top 7 Self Care Tips As A Business Owner.
How To Deal With Burnout
Recognize the symptoms of burnout and immediately put into practice self-care. You must prioritize yourself! It's not selfish!
What is the first thing a flight attendant tells you during the onboarding process? If the airplane crashes, you must put your own oxygen mask on first. You can't help somebody if you're not taken care of! That also applies here! We can't pour from a cup that is already empty, so fill it up first.
To prevent burnout at work here are some things you can put in place.
- Set boundaries and stick to them~ Set firm boundaries by answering parents only during work hours. Create and set firm daycare policies. If you need editable daycare policies and a contract, you can grab it here! You can't just set them; you have to follow them! If they are late picking up or paying, follow through with your policies. This is a form of respecting yourself and professionalism!
- Talk about it~ Get professional help if you need it. It feels so good to sit and talk things out with somebody who can give you a different perspective, advice, and tips! Talk it out with a good friend or your spouse. Join daycare groups on Facebook, but be careful these can quickly turn into a negative bash and drain your mental health even more.
- Pray about it~ Seek God's guidance on how to navigate these tough feelings. Ask Him to heal you from burnout, to help you find the love and gratitude in your job, and guide you during these tough times.
- Start a hobby~ Start a side hobby. Such as creating digital products, a blog, a TikTok, crocheting, knitting, running, walking, a cooking class, or a new workout class; the list is limitless.
- Reconnect with your why~ Remember, why you started your daycare business. What were you most excited about? What were your goals for this business? How can you get back on track to achieving those goals?
- Schedule YOU time~ You have to do something for yourself every single day! Yes, every single day! This could literally be 5 minutes of quiet time in your bathroom, practicing stretching and breathing with a meditation guide. Take a hot bath. Read a book. Watch a YouTube video learning something new. Workout. Go outside and get sunshine. I know it's hard to find time for yourself as a mom and business owner; however, you must do so for your own mental health.
- Step back~ Take your vacation days and regroup! Take the pressure off yourself to accomplish everything, both personal and business. You don't have to write a weekly or monthly newsletter. You don't have to make all of the meals from scratch every single day. You don't need to do 500 crafts and activities every week. It's okay if you just let the kids play because you need a break. Take a step back and a break from all of the planning.
- Rearrange your space~ Deep clean and declutter your workspace. Rearrange the play area. A fresh reset of your space will help clear your head.
- Revamp your daycare schedule~ Maybe your current daycare schedule isn't working for you. Reevaluate it and try a new one. That's the great thing about this business, you're the owner and get to call the shots! You can read tips on creating the perfect daycare schedule here.
- Journal~ This can be one of the most therapeutic practices you can put in place. Take 5 minutes before your day begins or before bed to journal about your day. Start by writing three things you are grateful for. Then write all of the good and the ugly about your day.
I hope you understand that you are not alone, this job is HARD, and burnout is real! However, burnout at work doesn't have to be part of your story if you put actions in play to prevent it.
Related Posts:
The Top 7 Self Care Tips For Business Owners
Spring Cleaning And Daycare Organization
Here's Exactly How To Control Your Week With These Time Management Tips
The Best Daycare Schedule Tips: Balancing Babies, Toddlers And Preschoolers