Nurturing the nurturers: Prioritizing self-care in youth development

By Cassie Girling

Did you enter the field of youth development to make a difference, were you inspired by a mentor, or simply because you enjoy connecting with young people? Many youth workers share these motivations. But like other caretaking professions, youth development can be exhausting. The commitment to mentoring and supporting youth often means leading groups, navigating challenges, and balancing the needs of others. We pour so much into helping the young people in our programs thrive—but what about you? As Savannah Aanerud asks in her article: Are you thriving? To continue pursuing our "why," we need to take care of ourselves too.

In today's fast-paced world, prioritizing self-care can be a significant challenge for many individuals. In her insightful book, Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators, Elena Aguilar shares why she believes taking care of ourselves can be a challenge:

• We often lack the information we need for effective self-care. While new tips about exercise, sleep, or nutrition can inspire us, we often don’t know where to start.
• Too many of us push our own needs aside, running on little sleep and prioritizing everything else. We may feel we don’t deserve to take care of ourselves, tying our worth to our productivity. This leads to overcommitting and struggling to say no.

Making self-care a priority is crucial for preventing burnout and compassion fatigue. By taking care of yourself, you can keep the enthusiasm that initially drew you to youth work, allowing you to continue supporting young people with energy and passion. Consider one or two of these practical tips: 

• Prioritize your physical health. Get a full night’s sleep, move more, and eat a balanced diet. Unsure of where to begin? Start small by choosing one to focus on for a period of time. Selecting just one habit to improve upon can significantly improve your mental well being. 
• Set boundaries. Reevaluate what parts of your work bring you the most joy, have a sizable impact in relation to your personal work goals, and allow for life balance. It’s okay to say no to projects that don’t align with your mission.
• Use a wellbeing program or app. Many organizations offer a wellbeing program like Personify Health. Here you can participate in challenges, track your steps for a healthy competition with co-workers, take mini courses in areas of wellness you’re interested in, and more. You may even earn an incentive for a lower premium insurance rate!
• Schedule some 'me time'. This could be spending time in nature, working on a hobby you enjoy, watching a favorite television show, practicing mindfulness, or connecting with loved ones. My personal favorite is crocheting while listening to an audio book or watching a favorite show. Schedule time consistently and hold yourself accountable. You deserve it! 
• Seek help. If you struggle with self-care and need help developing a plan, connect with family members or friends and/or consult with your doctor or other mental health resources. 

We all enter the field of youth development for different reasons. Yet, this rewarding work can be tiring. We pour our energy into helping young people thrive, but we must also prioritize our self-care. To continue fulfilling our purpose, we need to nurture our own health just as much as we do for those we serve. Remember, taking care of ourselves is not just important—it's essential for sustaining our ability to support others. Are you making time for your own well-being? What steps can you take today for a better tomorrow? 

-- Cassie Girling, Extension educator

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