Careers That Require Extra Self-Care - Crossroads Health

Self care careers

There are some careers that are more demanding than others. You probably have a few in mind right now. But, some careers go beyond just being stressful to being downright dangerous and damaging for the people involved. In fact, there are several careers that are known for having high suicide rates – some that you might not expect.

Whether it’s burnout from work, dealing with people all day, or financial issues that cause extra stress, there are some careers that require extra self-care. Taking care of yourself every day is crucial for everyone. But, in order to find a positive work-life balance and manage your mental health if you’re in a stressful career, extra effort should be taken to make self-care a priority.

So, what are the careers that require extra self-care, and what should you do if you’re in one of these industries?

Careers With Compassion

Doctors have the highest suicide rates of any other profession in the U.S. Veterinarians aren’t far behind. There are several factors that could play into the high suicide rates in these professions. But, the biggest is likely compassion fatigue.

Compassion fatigue occurs when someone is consistently exposed to others who are struggling or in pain. As a doctor, nurse, veterinarian, or therapist, you’re around people all day who are sharing their problems in one way or another.  While you might just be doing a job, you’re also human.  It’s not uncommon to empathize with individuals.

Unfortunately, doing so can take a heavy toll on you. Signs of compassion fatigue include:

• Anger
• Depression
• Feelings of failure
• Exhaustion
• Headaches
• Less joy
• Lack of sleep

Obviously, the combination of those signs and symptoms can lead to serious mental health concerns. Compassion fatigue, combined with long hours, shifts at different times, and trying to balance some semblance of home life can be a lot for any person to handle.

If you’re in a career that requires you to help others with their pain or difficult times,  there are some healthy ways to cope. The most important thing is to get enough rest and make sure you’re taking care of your body.

From a self-care standpoint, communicate as often as possible with friends and family. Take time away from work to do things you enjoy as much as you can. And, find things to look forward to. Even small, everyday joys can make a big difference in how you feel.

Careers With Financial Imbalances

There are some careers that require quite a bit of schooling. Unfortunately, the payoff doesn’t always seem worth it. Veterinarians are high on this list again. It takes about four years of college and another four of vet school to become a veterinarian, potentially racking up hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, the average veterinarian only makes about $94,000 per year.

Vets aren’t the only ones who struggle with this kind of problem. As college tuition prices continue to rise, there are many jobs that can feel ill-balanced for recent college graduates when it comes to the average salary, including:

• Marriage and family therapists
• Graphic designers
• Event planners
• Interpreters/translators
• Biological technicians
• Graduate teaching assistants

If you truly love your career but you’re stressed over college debt and know you’re not going to end up making as much as you might want, self-care could come in the form of having a budget. Find ways to affordably “treat yourself” that stay within that budget. Things like organizing your home, getting some exercise outside, or turning your bedroom into your own personal sanctuary are all ways to take care of yourself while allowing you to pay off your debts and alleviate some stress.

High-Stress Careers

Several of the careers we’ve already listed can overlap into a few categories. Obviously, working in the healthcare field can be an incredibly stressful career. But, some careers you may not immediately think of are also considered high-stress, including:

• Bartenders
• Patrol officers
• Firefighters
• News reporters
• Broadcasters

Even athletes are often in high-stress situations. The life of a pro athlete might seem fun and glamorous, but they’re required to be both mentally and physically tough, and their career could be on the line at any given moment.

No matter what your career is, finding healthy, effective ways to manage your stress is a crucial component of taking care of yourself. Stress management looks different for everyone. But, everything from getting enough sleep to spending time with loved ones, and even practicing mindfulness can all be effective in reducing anxiety from your job.

You don’t have to give up your career in order to take care of yourself. All of the jobs listed here are necessary in our world, and without people willing to do them, life wouldn’t be as we know it. But, make sure you’re practicing self-care as much as possible. Doing so will not only keep your mind and body healthy, but it may make you appreciate your work that much more.

Guest post by Luke Smith