Community support workers (CSW) do an excellent job of helping clients and their families find clarity and peace of mind each day. Part of being such an effective support resource for the community is being able to keep calm, composed, and positive while at work.

However, while a career as a CSW is fulfilling, dealing with numerous different clients alongside other pressing tasks each day can be quite stressful, especially for those just beginning their careers.
Are you interested in pursuing training to become a CSW? Here are a few effective strategies to help you manage your stress when you start your career.

CSWs Can Use Breathing to Help Eliminate Stress and Alter Their Thinking

When someone becomes stressed, they will begin to take rapid and shallow breaths. Stressed CSWs may also breathe using their chest rather than their diaphragm, which allows for less air intake and sends less oxygen to the brain. Shallow breathing can also trigger hyperventilation and increase the heart rate, which can lead to even more anxiety. Instead, CSWs can curtail their stress by breathing deeply using their diaphragm, which will decrease blood pressure, slow their heartbeat, and relax their muscles.

Breathing properly can make it easier to think clearly, allowing professionals with community support worker training to better evaluate the causes of their stress and determine solutions to help make their situation more positive.

Professionals with Community Support Worker Diplomas Can Stay Active to Manage Stress

Maintaining a regular exercise regimen could help to reduce a CSW’s stress levels for a number of different reasons. Exercising can be a healthy way to vent frustration, and could also serve as a much needed distraction from stressors, offering a change of environment to help busy professionals alter their state of mind.

Exercise doesn’t have to be too strenuous, either. A CSW could use their lunch break to take a nice leisurely stroll around a nearby park or boardwalk, giving them plenty of time to clear their head before returning to deal with clients.

Exercise is also effective for combating cortisol, the stress hormone, by getting the body to release endorphins which can make you feel happier and more energized. Regular exercise may even help condition CSWs to become less reactive to elements of their work that could cause stress in the future.

CSWs Can Reduce Their Stress Levels by Eating Right and Sleeping More

Graduates with a community support worker diploma who are just beginning their careers can reap the stress-relieving benefits of a healthy diet. For instance, CSWs looking to reduce their stress should make sure to eat a full breakfast, as eating just a muffin or a granola bar won’t suffice.

A complete breakfast provides the necessary energy to stay sharp and attentive while helping clients and families. CSWs should also consider eating healthy snacks throughout the day, like blueberries, which are rich in antioxidants and will make them feel less sluggish.

Sleep is also an important factor in giving CSWs the energy they need to function. A tired CSW might be more irritable, and thus easily prone to stress when tasks and appointments start to pile up. Getting between seven and nine hours rest every night will ensure that you are well-rested and ready to take on the challenges of this demanding but rewarding career.

Are you looking for a great community support worker school?

Contact Discovery Community College to speak to an advisor!