Episode 34: Why Self Care is Hard for Birth Workers?
Hello fellow birth workers! We’re a week into July fo 2020. Everything has been crazy this whole year! Do you remember the Australia fires that started this year? That seems like 5 years ago instead of 5-6 months ago when that kicked off our year. It’s gotten more intense ever since. 2020 has impacted our families, our communities, our ability to BE with our clients, our ability to provide for our families. It’s challenged our own personal beliefs, challenged us to really assess if our values line up with our actions. We’re also doing all this work physically separated from our support systems. To say 2020 has been a lot would be a gross understatement.
Today I want to chat about the power of self care, what barriers come between us and actually practicing self care, and why necessary for world change. This is a topic that is near to my heart. I deeply love supporting the birth worker community. I see birth workers as a vital piece to the puzzle of a balance and supported culture and community. Birth is such a vulnerable time, and being supported, seen, heard and valued during that experience is incredible.
YOU do that. For your clients and communities. It’s is incredible. It’s so very valuable. And when it goes really well, often we go unseen, unnoticed and uncared for ourselves.
In this episode I cover:
- Burnout statistics in midwives and birth workers
- The difference between knowing we should do something and feeling good about doing something and why that matters
- Mindset shifts to support ourselves
- Feeling like self care is selfish
- Self care vs overwhelm
- What counts for self care?
- My cold water therapy practice and how that counts as self care
- Movement for self care
- Using self care to get to know yourself
- Babies model seeking needs being met well
- And more!
Your physical body matters, and caring for your body while you serve your clients can have a tremendous positive impact on how you experience living in your body. Understanding HOW to support yourself while you’re attending a birth or even driving in your car to see a client, utilizing the time you’re already working to pay attention to and support your body is powerful.
I’d love to have you join me for my free 1 hour workshop - 3 Powerful Movement Habits for Birth Workers. We’ll do a bit of anatomy education, move together and answer questions. Quick and effective and fun. And yes, there will be a replay because I totally understand the on call life!
I’m so excited to have you join me, July 15th and 16th, same workshop but two time options. Register here to save your seat!
Now let’s make this topic actionable, because that’s how we’ll see change right? What is one thing you’re going to do for self care this week? And signing up for my workshop count! So that makes it easy if you feel stuck!
I’m so grateful for you and your support of the birthing community! I’m grateful to have you as apart of the thriving birth worker community and grateful to be spreading the belief that birth workers don’t have to just survive, but we can thrive. I’m here cheering you on an honored to support you on your journey!
