In celebration of National Self-Care Day, we turned to four wellness experts in Burnaby Heights to gain insights on how they manage burnout in their careers and their tips for maintaining well-being. Their experiences and insights offer valuable lessons for all of us striving for balance, and remind us that even those dedicated to caring for others must prioritize their own health and well-being.
National Self-Care Day: Tips from Burnaby Heights Wellness Professionals
Simply Wellness Dental: Dr. Ed Lawson
Dr. Ed Lawson, a dedicated dentist at Simply Wellness Dental, shared the unique stresses that come with his profession. Balancing the demands of clinical precision and the challenges of running a practice can be overwhelming. Dr. Lawson highlights the critical role of self-care in maintaining his well-being. “There are two parts of being a dentist that are stressful… the clinical part, when you’re working on someone’s teeth, you’re working kind of in a porcelain teacup… and the financial environment when owning a clinic,” he explains.
Managing these stressors requires a multifaceted approach. Dr. Lawson emphasizes the importance of having a strong support network, stating, “A support system with friends and family and other dentists, too, who are going through the same thing, is crucial.” This network includes both emotional and professional support, which is essential in a high-stress job. He also stresses the need for balance to prevent burnout, advising, “Not overworking too much…exercising is really important too.”
In addition to these strategies, Dr. Lawson points out the significance of continuous learning and adapting. He notes that staying updated with the latest dental practices and technologies can help mitigate stress by improving efficiency and outcomes. By maintaining a separating work and home life, seeking support, and embracing continuous learning, dentists can manage the unique stresses of their profession, and avoid burning out.
Heights Yoga: Yuen Wong
Yuen, the vibrant owner of Heights Yoga, shared her holistic approach to managing stress. Despite her busy schedule, she finds time for daily meditation and values the quality of her sleep. “I meditate a lot. So when you meditate a lot, you do get more energy from that,” she explains. For Yuen, the quality of sleep is paramount: “Most people get eight hours, ten hours of sleep, right? The thing is, it’s about the quality, not the quantity” she notes, highlighting how she achieves deep, restful sleep through a practice called Yoga Nidra.
Yuen’s commitment to mindfulness is a reminder of the benefits of holistic practices in combating burnout. Her dedication to her practice extends beyond her personal routine; she also manages the studio, handles scheduling, and even cleans the space. “I do everything,” Yuen says, emphasizing her hands-on approach.
Her passion for yoga and meditation shines through as she describes the restorative power of these practices. Yuan’s approach to self-care includes incorporating yoga into her daily routine, both as a teacher and a practitioner. “This is my break. Because it’s my passion, this is my break. I enjoy it,” she shares.
Cedar Health: Dr. John Sheu
Dr. John Sheu, a physical therapist at Cedar Health, shared his strategies for managing stress in a demanding profession. His advice centers around finding simple, restorative activities. “I’ve discovered the benefit of taking naps. Like a 20, 25-minute nap, it really recharges me for the day,” he says. Dr. Sheu finds relaxation in low-stress activities, such as watching TV and driving his kids, which he describes as “just automatic, so it’s actually kind of relaxing too.”
Dr. Sheu emphasizes the importance of good sleep. “It’s not the amount of sleep that you’re getting, it’s the quality of sleep that you’re getting; that matters most” he states. He further elaborates that many people dealing with pain have trouble sleeping, and that poor sleep quality can hinder the body’s repair processes. “When you’re sleeping, that’s when your body really repairs. So if you’re not getting good quality sleep, your body’s probably not going to repair quite so well,” he explains.
Additionally, Dr. Sheu emphasizes the importance of having work-life balance. “It’s important to leave work at work and not bring those stresses home,” he advises. He also highlights the significance of not absorbing patients’ problems, emphasizing that while caring is important, letting their issues become personal stress is counterproductive. “We care about our patients, but it’s crucial to leave their stresses at the clinic. When I walk through my front door at home, I make a conscious effort to focus on my family and personal life, leaving work-related stress behind,” he shares.
Zen Active Therapy: Aliyah Muniff
Aliyah, a registered massage therapist and owner of Zen Active, shared her experiences with burnout and her approach to managing it. “As an RMT, I suffered burnout maybe two, three times,” she reveals. Aliyah explains that working at multiple clinics and seeing numerous clients each day took a toll on her health. “I was working six days a week, and saw five, six clients a day. That was way too much,” she says.
To combat burnout, Aliyah emphasizes the importance of listening to her body and adjusting her workload accordingly. “When I opened this place, I reduced my hours. Now, I only work four days a week, but full days,” she explains. She also stresses the value of self-care routines and receiving consistent treatment herself. “I get more consistent treatment now than I used to. Every 2 to 4 weeks,” she notes.
Aliyah’s experience highlights the necessity of understanding and responding to the signs of burnout. “Gaining that experience of burnout, I think, is almost necessary so that you can understand what it takes to help yourself,” she says. Her holistic approach includes being present and curious with her clients, ensuring she tailors her treatments to their specific needs.
The insights shared by these Burnaby Heights professionals show the importance of integrating self-care practices into our daily routines whether it’s through exercise, mindfulness, or quality sleep. On this National Self-Care Day, let’s take inspiration from their advice and learn how to take care of ourselves.