National Wellness Month is a time to celebrate and prioritize our health, focusing on self-care, stress management, and overall well-being. While these themes are universally important, they hold particular significance for professional helpers—those whose careers are dedicated to supporting others, such as medical professionals, therapists, lawyers, nurses, judges, and first responders. These roles often come with high stakes, demanding environments, and emotional burdens that can take a toll on mental and physical health. One lesser-discussed aspect of this toll is “wellness trauma,” a form of secondary trauma that arises from the cumulative stress and emotional labor inherent in these professions.
Understanding Wellness Trauma
Wellness trauma refers to the psychological and emotional impact experienced by individuals who work in helping professions. Unlike primary trauma, which results from direct exposure to traumatic events, wellness trauma develops over time as professionals repeatedly engage with the suffering, trauma, and crises of others. This constant exposure can lead to symptoms similar to those of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including anxiety, depression, burnout, and emotional numbness.
The Invisible Weight of Wellness Trauma
For many professional helpers, the effects of wellness trauma are subtle and often go unnoticed until they become overwhelming. The very nature of their work requires them to be resilient, empathetic, and composed, which can make it difficult to recognize when they are struggling with their own mental health. The pressure to remain strong for others can lead to a sense of isolation, as admitting to personal challenges might feel like a sign of weakness or failure.
Furthermore, the societal expectation that professional helpers should be immune to the stresses of their work only exacerbates the issue. This expectation can create a culture of silence, where individuals feel compelled to push through their difficulties without seeking the support they need.
The Impact of Wellness Trauma
The impact of wellness trauma extends beyond the individual, affecting the quality of care and support provided to others. When professional helpers are overwhelmed by their own trauma, they may become less empathetic, more detached, or emotionally exhausted. This not only diminishes their effectiveness but also increases the risk of making critical errors in judgment.
Moreover, the long-term consequences of wellness trauma can be severe. Chronic stress, burnout, and mental health issues can lead to physical health problems, strained relationships, and even career abandonment. In extreme cases, it may contribute to substance abuse or suicidal ideation as individuals struggle to cope with the unrelenting demands of their roles.
Strategies for Managing Wellness Trauma
Addressing wellness trauma requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes self-care, peer support, and professional help. Here are some strategies that can help professional helpers manage and mitigate the effects of wellness trauma:
- Prioritize Self-Care: Self-care is not a luxury; it is a necessity for professional helpers. Regular exercise, healthy eating, sufficient sleep, and relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga can help maintain physical and mental well-being . Creating a daily routine that includes moments of calm and self-compassion can also make a significant difference.
- Seek Peer Support: Connecting with colleagues who understand the unique challenges of the profession can provide invaluable support. Regular check-ins, peer supervision, or support groups can create a safe space to share experiences and offer mutual encouragement.
- Set Boundaries: Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life is crucial for preventing burnout. This might include setting limits on working hours, learning to say no when necessary, and finding ways to disconnect from work-related stress outside of professional settings.
- Pursue Professional Help: Just as professional helpers advocate for their clients to seek therapy or counseling, they too should not hesitate to seek professional mental health support. Regular therapy sessions, particularly with a therapist who understands the unique challenges of helping professions, can provide essential tools for coping with wellness trauma.
- Engage in Reflective Practice: Reflective practice involves regularly reviewing one’s work experiences and emotional responses. This can be done through journaling, supervision, or peer discussions. Reflective practice helps individuals process their emotions and identify early signs of wellness trauma before they escalate.
- Advocate for Organizational Change: Lastly, advocating for systemic changes within organizations can help create a culture that supports wellness. This could involve pushing for better work-life balance policies, mental health resources, and regular training on stress management and trauma-informed care.
Conclusion
As we observe National Wellness Month, it’s crucial to acknowledge the hidden challenges faced by professional helpers and the impact of wellness trauma on their lives. By prioritizing self-care, seeking support, and advocating for healthier work environments, these dedicated professionals can better care for themselves and, in turn, continue to provide compassionate and effective care to others. Wellness is not just about surviving the demands of the job—it’s about thriving, both personally and professionally.
References:
- Figley, C. R. (1995). Compassion Fatigue: Coping with Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder in Those Who Treat the Traumatized. Brunner/Mazel.
- Stamm, B. H. (1999). Secondary Traumatic Stress: Self-Care Issues for Clinicians, Researchers, and Educators. Sidran Press.
- Baird, K., & Kracen, A. C. (2006). Vicarious Traumatization and Secondary Traumatic Stress: A Research Synthesis. Counseling Psychology Quarterly, 19(2), 181-188.
- McCann, I. L., & Pearlman, L. A. (1990). Vicarious Traumatization: A Framework for Understanding the Psychological Effects of Working with Victims. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 3(1), 131-149.
- Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Burnout: A Brief History and How to Achieve It in the Workplace. Harvard Business Review.
- Newell, J. M., & MacNeil, G. A. (2010). Professional Burnout, Vicarious Trauma, Secondary Traumatic Stress, and Compassion Fatigue: A Review of Theoretical Terms, Risk Factors, and Preventive Methods for Clinicians and Researchers. Best Practices in Mental Health, 6(2), 57-68.
- Shapiro, S. L., Brown, K. W., & Biegel, G. M. (2007). Teaching Self-Care to Caregivers: Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on the Mental Health of Therapists in Training. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 1(2), 105-115.