Self-Care Resources for You and Your Volunteers
Jenna Egan | Published on 7/26/2022
It wasn’t until months, maybe even a year into the pandemic, when I started seeking articles, podcasts and other resources about burnout out self-care, because I was beyond burnout, and needed self-caring. I didn’t have the answers, and between my MAVA colleagues and MAVA members we were in constant communication and exploration on these two topics, because we have felt or continue to feel this way.
Here are some tips, tools, and resources for you to use for yourself and with your volunteers. Some of these Resources were recommended from Heather Whelpley who presented at MAVA’s Managing Burnout for Leaders of Volunteers, others from my MAVA colleagues, MAVA members, and me.
Don’t forget that MAVA provides a ‘What We Are Reading’ section in the MAVA Monthly. This portion of the monthly newsletter is a list of articles, books, and resources that MAVA staff have read, find helpful, and want to share with you.
Burnout and Self-Care Resource
“Video chatting may promise the benefits of face-to-face meeting without germs and commuting. But it can provoke burnout for many, and even depression. When it comes to human interaction, it is like junk food: filling and convenient, but no substitute for a healthy diet.” The Trouble with Zooming Forever by Authur C. Brooks – The Atlantic Monthly.
“Work recovery has become part of the national conversation on well-being. There’s a growing awareness that we can’t just keep working ourselves to death.” How to deal with work stress and recover from burnout. These evidence-based can help you achieve a healthy work life balance by Chris Woolsten – Smithsonian Magazine
“To help parents navigate a tumultuous time, Samudio and Beresin offered advice on ways they can slow down, recharge and encourage their kids to participate, too.” 5 self-care tips who need a break this summer, by Janay Kingsberry – The Washington Post
“Consuming good news is important: optimism is good for your mental and physical health, and revitalizing your brain with even a few good things can motivate you to stay engaged with the world.” Your Self-care Prescription: News Positivity by Elizabeth Merritt – American Alliance of Museums
Volunteering During The COVID-19 Pandemic: What We Know. Check out this new report from the National Council of Voluntary Organizations.
“Burnout. We’re all experiencing it and we’re all desperate for a way through it.” In this episode of Brene Brown’s Unlocking Us, Drs. Emily and Amielia Nagoski share what causes burnout, what it does to our bodies, and how we can move through the emotional exhaustion. Burnout and How to Complete the Stress Cycle, Unlocking Us Podcast by Brene Brown.
“Leaders should focus on three areas: understanding the difference between urgency and importance, and focus on the latter; be compassionate while also driving your employees to action by channeling their feelings of defiance, anger, and frustration. Finally, change things up every single day with a focus on energizing your team.” How to Lead When Your Team Is Exhausted — and You Are, Too by Merete Wedell-Wedellsborg – The Harvard Business Review.
Need some self-care ideas when you only have minutes in your day or week? Check out these suggestions from Signup Genius, 50 Self Care Ideas and Activities.