Part 1: Why It’s Vital to Take PTO as a Therapist and Mom
Paid Time Off.
PTO.
Out of Office.
OOO.
Whatever you want to call it, however you want to abbreviate it, taking days off of work is a multi-faceted topic in the world of working moms. There are many aspects of PTO, but for today we’re going to focus on the importance of these treasured hours as Therapist Moms.
Buckle up, it could get a little bumpy.
Why You Need to Actually Take PTO
As a Therapist and Mom, we juggle an incredible amount of responsibilities. But without taking time off, we are at higher risk for:
Burnout: Constantly giving to our clients and family can drain our energy fast.
Missing Quality Time: Balancing work and family leaves little room for meaningful moments with loved ones.
Compromising Client Care: Exhaustion, physical and emotional, can affect the quality of care we provide to our clients.
Who am I?
Hi! I’m MacKenzie, your Self-Care Mompanion. I’m a Therapist and Mom, too. Over the past several years I’ve been working hard to embrace who I am as a Therapist and Mom. I’ve been challenging the societal norms of each role. Something that has helped me tremendously is finding groups of like-minded Therapist Moms to give/get support from.
I wanted to bring these women together physically and online so I created TheraMama Haven where I’m dedicated to supporting Therapist Moms like YOU.
Keep reading to learn why taking PTO is crucial for your well-being and how it can enhance your personal and professional life.
Recharging Your Batteries
I’m not sure about you, but there are times when I’m simply exhausted at the end of the day. Even if the day’s topics weren’t all that heavy. Our clients are dealing with heavy things in their lives, therefore we shoulder some of that for them and with them. When we just keep plugging away, day after day, without adequate rest and relaxation…we’re on the fast-track to some major problems.
Preventing Burnout
Taking PTO is like plugging yourself into a charger. Here’s how it helps:
Rest and Relaxation: PTO provides much-needed rest, helping you recharge physically and mentally. Depending on how you use the time, of course.
Improved Client Care: A well-rested therapist has a clear mind, thus offering better support to clients, enhancing their progress. Win-win!
Setting Boundaries: Taking time off models healthy boundaries for your clients and kids, showing the importance of self-care.
Quality Family Time
As much as your family may be what’s sucking the life out of you, spending uninterrupted time with them is essential. Another essential component of this time is to actually be present during this quality time. Yep, that means electronics are put away for a certain amount of time, eye contact is made, jokes are shared, it’s lovely.
Consider these activities:
Picnics and Outings: Plan fun outdoor activities to bond with your loved ones.
Family Traditions: Use your PTO to create and enjoy family traditions that strengthen your connection. Especially if it’s an impromptu day out of school for the kids, they’ll love it.
Unplugging from Work: Disconnect from work to fully engage with your family, making the most of your time together. Unplugging for awhile will help you detach from the hustle and bustle of the office and what needs to be done at home. Things will be fine until you return.
Rediscovering Passions
Exploring Your Interests
PTO isn’t just for rest; it’s also a chance to rediscover what you love:
Hobbies and Interests: Revisit hobbies that bring you joy, like painting, reading, or hiking. You remember these fun little things, right? I know, it’s been a hot sec since you’ve been able to devote time to a hobby. That’s okay, we can always start.
Personal Growth: Use this time to focus on activities that nurture your soul and personal development.
Don’t go balls to the wall on these things. Just ease in nice and slow so as not to overwhelm yourself. Choose something and see how it feels for a little while.
The Benefits of Taking PTO
By taking PTO, you address key pain points:
Burnout Prevention: Regular breaks prevent exhaustion and keep you passionate about your work and family life. Good boundaries and ways to separate work from home will keep you going back to work in the morning and home in the evening.
Enhanced Family Time: PTO, when used well, allows you to strengthen and maintain meaningful connections with your loved ones, creating lasting memories.
Better Professional Performance: A refreshed mind and body mean you can and will have the energy to provide top-notch care to your clients.
So. Taking PTO is vital for managing burnout, ensuring quality family time, and improving client care. It helps you recharge, reconnect, and rediscover your passions, making you a happier, healthier therapist and mom. Give yourself permission to take that well-deserved break – you’ve earned it!
Stay tuned for Part 2 in this series…we’ll be talking about why we take time out of the office. It’s not really why you think.
Here's how you can work with me:
Check out Journey to Self-Care Journaling Workbook to get started on your own self-care journey.
Schedule a Consultation. Reach out for a consultation where we can discuss your specific challenges and goals. I offer individual therapy as well as coaching to fellow Therapists.
Join my FB Community TheraMamas Who Mimosa.
