Take the time to take care of yourself

To be honest, there are moments when I don’t feel like an inspired leader. That is, at times I avidly read leadership writings or listen to podcasts or audio books to inspire me. And then there are times, such as the holiday season last year, when I didn’t read any leadership blogs or books in at least six weeks.

TAKING A STRUCTURED BREAK FROM LEADERSHIP

What was I doing instead? Essentially, I took a break from leadership in a structured form and practiced self-care instead. I enjoy cooking, so I entertained family and friends. I finally scheduled a massage. I changed my exercise routine to include more yoga. I got that yearly physical. I bought a journal that helps one think about gratitude. I read novels and found myself immersed in the places described by authors who know how to use words to inspire one’s imagination.

In addition, I worked on my creative side by meeting with a designer to choose paint, wallpaper, and fabrics for a new optical. It was about work, but different than the day-to-day routine — and a lot of fun. And finally, I started reconnecting with friends I lost track of during the COVID-forced social distancing.

ADDRESSING BURNOUT

Self-care has been recognized as one way to help manage burnout. And today, burnout seems to be a common topic in our optometric social media forums.

As doctors, we practice leadership daily. We listen to concerns and chief complaints and take care of patients. We take care of our employees or co-workers and often go home to care for someone else. So, it’s easy to see how we can experience burnout.

While some may not consider self-care a practice that aligns with leadership, business management publications understand its importance. For example, an October 2020 HBR article, titled “‘Serious’ Leaders Need Self-Care Too,” speaks to how healthy foods, adequate sleep, and exercise can improve brain function, boost energy, improve cognitive function, increase empathy, and renew motivation.

The most recent of the motivational quotes saved on my phone provides this advice from the artist Banksy: “If you get tired, learn to rest, not quit.”

SELF-CARE IN PRACTICE

Self-care looks different for everyone. It might mean exercising, taking a walk, getting in touch with nature, practicing meditation, or expressing your creative side. Perhaps you love the peacefulness of fishing to recharge. For years, I opted for magazines over books because I traveled so much and had little kids. Now, Amazon tells me I read 130 books on Kindle Unlimited last year. I’ve started doing the popular “Wordle” with my morning coffee. A friend of mine makes beautiful quilts to appeal to her creative side. I see optometrists showing off their creativity with shops on Etsy.

PUT IT ON THE SCHEDULE

A key to successfully maintaining self-care is to make it a regular part of your routine. For example, my husband schedules time into his week for biking or cross-country skiing. Note that none of these things I’ve mentioned cost much money. They are merely things we put into our daily routine to ensure we take care of ourselves.

We need to learn to rest. Not quit. OM

DR. CARLSON was the first woman to serve as president of the American Optometric Association. Most recently, she was a 2019 recipient of Women of Optometry’s Theia Award for Leadership. In addition to her optometric leadership, Dr. Carlson is a 2020 graduate from the University of Jamestown, with a Master of Arts in Leadership, as well as a John Maxwell-certified speaker and trainer.