Self-compassion and burnout (health and care staff wellbeing)

This workshop is part of the Recovery College health and care staff wellbeing programme, which is available to people working in the Leeds Health and Care System, this includes: the NHS, primary and secondary care services, a Leeds based charity, or Leeds City Council.   

Self-compassion and burnout: 

Having self-compassion isn’t that different from having compassion for others. To have compassion, we must first recognise when someone is experiencing suffering, connect with their feelings, and extend understanding and kindness, especially during challenging times or when they stumble.  

Self-compassion is the practice of extending the same kindness, care, and understanding to ourselves that we readily offer to others. It involves recognising our own suffering, acknowledging our imperfections, and responding to our struggles with warmth and acceptance, rather than criticism and judgement.  

In many ways, self-compassion mirrors the compassion we feel for others, requiring us to notice our own pain, connect with our experiences, and respond with empathy.  In demanding work environments, especially those where we prioritise the needs of others – such as health care, education, community and social support services – self-compassion can often take a backseat. We minght find ourselves so focused on supporting our colleagues or the people we serve that we neglect our own emotional and physical needs. This can lead to chronic stress, burnout, and deteriorating mental health.  

In a climate where demands are high and resources may be limited, practicing self-compassion is crucial for maintaining personal wellbeing.

In this workshop we will; 

• Explore the value of self-compassion and its relationship with burnout; taking time to slow down and reflect on our personal wellbeing and selfcare needs 

• Reflect on our personal wellbeing needs; through group discussion and personal reflection recognising that our ability to care for others is deeply intertwined with how we care for ourselves. 

• Set an intention for self-compassion; making one agreement we would like to make towards leading a more self-compassionate life. 

With the support of Leeds Health and Care Academy, these experiential sessions have been developed exclusively for people who work in the NHS, local government, primary care, independent care providers and third sector organisations in Leeds.