Recently, I surveyed healers worldwide for insights to include in my upcoming book, Heal the Healer. 

I was moved and floored by the responses I received. From the United States to Japan to Australia to Pakistan, healers around the globe face similar struggles related to caretaking others, emotional exhaustion, and burnout. Many are still recovering from post-pandemic trauma and stress. And many had valuable self-care tips and strategies to share.

If you responded to the questionnaire, thank you. I am still sorting through the many replies I received and will be featuring some of your stories in my book.

In the meantime, I believe in the power of community and our ability to support each other’s healing. So I wanted to pass along the top advice healers offered in response to this question:

“What advice can you offer fellow healers to prevent or address burnout?”

Here are the most common themes shared by your community:

1. Fill your cup first. 

As they say, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Focus on your own health and self-care before pouring energy into others. Make self-care a daily habit, not a “maybe if I have time” luxury.

2. Master the art of “no.” 

Set boundaries and stick to them. Know your limits and don’t overextend yourself. Protect your precious time and energy.

3. Aim for progress, not perfection. 

Ditch the superhuman expectations and celebrate small wins. Make mistakes. Be messy. Let go of unrealistic expectations of yourself or others. 

4. Find your people. 

Find supportive friends, mentors, therapists, coaches, or peers who understand the demands on healers. Ask for help when you need it. You’re not in this alone.

5. Listen to your body. 

It communicates when you’re stressed or need a break. Tune into signs of emotional, mental, physical, or spiritual exhaustion and take action. Your body communicates what it needs.

6. Check in with yourself. 

Throughout the day, ask “What do I need right now?”

7. Be a guide, not a fixer.

Your role might be to support clients or others you care for on their journeys, but you are not responsible for saving or fixing them. Try not to hold yourself to unrealistic expectations.

8. Trust your intuition. 

Let your inner wisdom guide you.

9. Give yourself down time.

For instance, maybe you thought you needed 10 minutes between client sessions, but you need 30. Maybe you thought you could handle six clients in a day, but you can only handle two. Make time for rest and fun, not just work.

10. Know your triggers.

Notice situations, people, or thoughts that rev up your stress and limit exposure for self-preservation.

11. Don’t compare yourself to others.

Everyone’s journey is unique. Don’t let comparison derail your progress.

12. Allow divine flow. 

Relax rather than force things. Practice the art of surrendering. Trust that what’s meant for you will come as long as you live in alignment with your truth.

I hope these tips and reminders help you nurture yourself as you nurture others. Please share this article with a fellow healer who may need the reminder.

We’re all in this together!