Feel guilty about taking breaks when there's so much public health work to be done? In this episode of Public Health Curated, we're challenging the myth that self-care is selfish and exploring why soul-care is absolutely necessary for sustained impact in public health.
Key Takeaways
- Soul-care is different from traditional self-care—it's about reconnection, not just relaxation
- Your wellbeing isn't a luxury item—it's your impact multiplier
- Taking care of yourself isn't selfish—it's strategic for sustained community impact
- Community support is essential for genuine wellbeing and sustained impact
Episode Highlights
The Soul-Care Framework
1. Purpose Connection
- Actively reconnect with your 'why' daily
- Share community impact stories in team meetings
- Document small wins and meaningful moments
- Keep your vision for change alive
2. Energy Protection
- Treat your energy as a renewable resource
- Recognize early warning signs of depletion
- Create conditions for natural energy renewal
- Monitor your sustainability indicators
3. Boundary Setting
- Establish non-negotiable wellbeing practices
- Create sustainable work rhythms
- Protect your energy for long-term impact
- Remember: boundaries enable sustained service
4. Community Support
- Move beyond individual self-care
- Create space for authentic connection
- Share human moments with colleagues
- Build supportive professional relationships
Practical Tools
The Energy Audit
Rate your energy (1-10) in three areas:
- Physical energy (sleep, nutrition, movement)
- Emotional energy (heart health)
- Purpose energy (connection to your 'why')
The Soul-Care Emergency Kit
- For Low Physical Energy
- The 3-3-3 rule
- Three deep breaths
- Three stretches
- Three sips of water
- Repeat every three hours
- For Low Emotional Energy
- The Connection Call
- Reach out to someone who understands
- Focus on presence, not problem-solving
- Share authentic experiences
- For Low Purpose Energy
- The Impact Journal
- Document daily differences made
- Celebrate small wins
- Track meaningful moments
Your Action Steps
- Complete your Energy Audit
- Choose one soul-care practice to make non-negotiable
- Implement the Soul-Care Emergency Kit
- Share your journey using #SoulCareImpact
Join the Conversation
How do you maintain your wellbeing while serving your community? Share your soul-care practices and connect with other impact-shapers in the comments below. Remember, your story might be exactly what another public health professional needs to hear today.
About the Host: Veronica Sek-Shubert, MPH, is the founder of Public Health Curated and a DrPH candidate at Tulane University. With over 15 years of experience in non-for-profit and public health spaces, she's dedicated to helping professionals rediscover their spark while creating meaningful system change.