Existing research shows that the factors related to chaplain burnout include the quality of interpersonal skills, relationships outside the chaplaincy context, establishment of peer/mentor relationships, the existence of high role expectations. While institutional changes and peer support can address these issues to some degree, those of us working in chaplaincy and other caregiving roles rarely prioritize rest as a primary commitment to our own physical and spiritual well-being so that we can, in turn, serve others. What would shift if chaplains regularly prioritized our own spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being as foundational to our ability to offer impactful care?
Caring for Colleagues and Co-Workers
How to Care for Fellow Workers
In addition to tending to our own self care needs, we often need to create symbolic rituals for our co-workers. These are often designed to address workplace distress, transitions with careseekers, and perhaps a debrief after a momentous event like staff layoffs and other significant vocational disruption.
Mantra and Meditation in Buddhist Hospice Chaplaincy to Alleviate Anxiety
Learn how one Buddhist Hospice Chaplain uses mantras and meditation to alleviate anxiety. Dr. Karen Nelson Villanueva at the International Conference on Buddhist Approaches to Hospice Care and Life Education in Shanghai, China.
A fascinating on-line survey completed by members of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) which inquired about personal ritual practices, and included the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale to measure current levels of Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatic Stress.
Consider
What rituals have you created to address the special needs of your colleagues? What worked? What didn’t? Do you need more support?