Actives’ wellbeing
Hey, how are you doing? Volunteering should be fun, and you should only do it as much as you feel like and have time. You can set goals for your work, but the world will not fall apart if, for one reason or another, they are not always achieved. We want you to do well and stay well, so on this page we've put together some tips for your wellbeing.
A suitable amount of stress is a necessary driving force. However, sometimes it can be difficult for you to narrow your tasks and challenges. Your enthusiasm for the actions you have taken, or your concern for those in need, may lead to you taking too much responsibility.
Recognizing one's own mental fatigue is one of the most important tasks as a volunteer. You can prevent exhaustion by recognizing the warning signs in your body and mind and taking time to recharge your batteries.
Please contact the office if you have concerns about your or your active colleagues’ wellbeing: soile.pylsy(at)mib.fi or info(at)mib.fi.
When the warning signs appear, slow down before you get exhausted. Small fires are easier to fix than big ones. Give time to the things that brings you joy. These are not always the things that are supposed to bring joy to everyone, they can be entirely your own things.
Reflect on the meanings that you have created through your work, but also the fact that you are not irreplaceable. Changes should always be possible. Peer support is a vital part of active's work - think of other actives as your colleagues who are going through exactly the same experiences as you.
Talking with other people is the first step on slowing down. Tell your family, your section or your supervisor that you could use a break from new tasks for a while.
This does not have to mean burning out or stopping projects, but learning how to set limits, which is everyone's right. Also actives have the right (and the duty) to rest, to take breaks, to have supportive discussions and to engage in activities that supports their well-being and skills.
Symptoms of exhaustion:
loss of pleasure in activities
irritability
difficulties in sleeping
loss of a sense of humor
constant fatigue
forgetting things
difficulty in getting things done
frequent headaches
high blood pressure
difficulties in concentrating
Tips for everyday life
Did you know that by making small adjustments, you can make your brain produce good feelings for you? We've put together some examples of how you can help release the neurotransmitters that make you feel good!
Train your neurotransmitters!
Endorphin
Laughter, smells, dark chocolate, exercise, sex, massage, music, food, light, happiness
Oxytocin
Hugs, yoga, meeting babies, talking, pet sitting, sex, holding hands
Dopamine
7-8h dreams, small achievements, massage, meditation, protein, music, food, exercise
Serotonin
Meditation, nature, sweating, healthy bowels, light and slow carbohydrates
You have the right to feel safe ❤️
Where people meet, conflicts inevitably arise. You may feel threatened, frightened, perhaps angry or frustrated. It's not worth hiding your feelings, but talking about them before the situation becomes too challenging to handle. Challenging situations are not to be feared, nor are they a sign of your failure. You are not alone in challenging situations!
The most important thing is the willingness to deal with challenging situations, and discussion is the most important tool in dealing with them. MiB's Safe Space Model provides tools for dealing with harassment and inappropriate treatment. Feel free and with a low threshold to contact a MiB harassment team member.
