You’re struggling to provide peer support. How can you take care of yourself?

1 Set boundaries

One of the most important aspects of peer support is to respect the autonomy and privacy of the people you’re helping. But you also need to respect your own limits and needs. Don’t take on more than you can handle, and don’t feel guilty for saying no or delegating tasks. Communicate clearly and assertively what you can and cannot do, and what you expect from others. Setting boundaries will help you avoid resentment, exhaustion, and conflict.

2 Seek support

You don’t have to do it all alone. Peer support is a reciprocal and mutual process, which means you can also benefit from the support of others. Reach out to your colleagues, friends, family, or professionals who can listen, empathize, and advise you. Share your challenges, feelings, and successes with them, and ask for feedback and guidance. Seeking support will help you gain perspective, learn new skills, and feel valued and appreciated.

3 Practice self-care

Peer support can take a toll on your physical, mental, and emotional health. That’s why you need to prioritize your well-being and do things that make you happy and healthy. Make sure you get enough sleep, exercise, nutrition, and hydration. Engage in hobbies, interests, and passions that bring you joy and fulfillment. Meditate, relax, or do something that calms your mind and body. Practice self-care will help you reduce stress, boost your mood, and increase your energy.

4 Reflect and learn

Peer support is a learning opportunity that can help you grow personally and professionally. But you need to take time to reflect on your experiences, actions, and outcomes. Ask yourself what worked well, what didn’t, and what you can improve. Identify your strengths, weaknesses, and areas of development. Celebrate your achievements, acknowledge your mistakes, and embrace feedback. Reflect and learn will help you improve your skills, confidence, and performance.

5 Be compassionate

Peer support is based on empathy, respect, and trust. But sometimes, you may encounter situations that challenge your patience, understanding, or judgment. You may feel angry, frustrated, or disappointed by the people you’re supporting or by yourself. Instead of being harsh or critical, try to be compassionate. Recognize that everyone is doing their best with the resources they have, and that everyone makes mistakes. Be compassionate will help you foster positive relationships, heal wounds, and inspire change.

6 Have fun

Peer support is not only a serious and demanding task, but also a rewarding and enjoyable one. You get to connect with people, share stories, and make a difference. You also get to have fun, laugh, and celebrate. Don’t forget to inject some humor, creativity, and playfulness into your peer support activities. Make it fun for yourself and for others. Have fun will help you relieve tension, build rapport, and create memorable experiences.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?