Tired
It’s a New Year! And I’m Feeling Good! Ministry and fatigue After a great summer holiday, maybe a camping trip, some rest to recover from last year, we launch into the new year refreshed and energised! Or not. In the third year of a pandemic, fatigue has to be taken seriously as a significant risk, to people and to congregations. Our Story Wellbeing
If you feel tired even thinking about 2022, you are certainly not alone! Covid fatigue is now well recognised around the world as a massive impact on work and wellbeing, whether or not you actually catch Covid-19. The APA (American Psychological Association) reports that in the USA nearly 80 percent of the workforce are experiencing high levels of stress at work, and over a third are seriously exhausted.1 The risk of burnout across caring, teaching and health professions has never been higher. What a challenge to the church to be part of the solution, not just add to the problem. Let’s be known as a community who cares and who rests,
as a space to repair and recover. If ever we need a wake-up call to take excellent care of ourselves and those around us, 2022 is it! Fatigue undermines our ability to ‘push on’ despite being tired. Week after week, month after month, there is just a bit too much stress and effort and not enough fun and support and relaxation. Burnout sneaks up on us and crumbles our “I can cope” mentality. The first sign of fatigue is, obviously, feeling tired. Remember that wonderful sensation of energy that sustains you through the whole day? If you are seriously fatigued you probably can’t remember when you last felt that way.
The second sign is more insidious. Burnout sucks away our motivation. We stop caring. The WHO defines it as “increased mental distance from one’s job or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job.”2 Doing ministry while feeling cynical about people or negative about the church is very bad for the soul. As a supervisor I am concerned for personal, spiritual and professional health. A key part of this is self– awareness. “When do you feel drained? How does that feel in your body and heart? What do you need?”
The joy of flowers in full bloom is a delight. Let's notice and enjoy it, and carry that sunshine forward to be islands of joy for others. Credit: Sergey Shmidt / Unsplash
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Wellbeing |
Words — Silvia Purdie
