Working in the domestic staffing industry is demanding. You care for others and play a key role in keeping a home running smoothly. This is no small undertaking and requires a lot of mental, emotional, and physical stamina. You could easily feel a negative impact if you don’t prioritize your mind and body.

Taking time to take care of your whole self is critical to avoiding burnout and staying healthy. 

Signs of Burnout

Burnout in household employees can feel very powerful because of the emotional investment that comes with working in a home with a family.

Though burnout can look different from person to person, here are some common symptoms to be on the lookout for:

• Mood swings
• Frequent illness
• Anxiety or depression
• Lack of energy
• Change in sleeping habits
• Loss of motivation or interest in work
• Changes in eating patterns or appetite
• Difficulty focusing  

Whether you’re a personal assistant to a notable executive, an estate manager juggling the management of multiple properties, or a nanny caring for multiple children, putting these self-care tips into practice can help revitalize and encourage you. 

#1: Make time to do things you enjoy.

Prioritizing your mental and physical wellbeing means not neglecting activities or hobbies that you enjoy. Maybe you enjoy running or swimming, reading, crafting, or exploring new hiking trails.

Be sure to carve out time to do whatever brings you life and fills your cup. 

#2: Use your vacation or PTO time.

A 2023 Pew Research study found that about 46 percent of American workers do not take their provided leave during the year.

Take advantage of your paid vacation or paid time off! Even if you aren’t planning to go on an exotic vacation, you can use those days for a staycation, to relax around your own home, or to catch up on things that you’ve let go. Or, if you just need to take a day to recharge and relax, don’t feel guilty about that.

Working as a domestic employee can truly be exhausting work and taking some personal time to rest is part of what will help you stay motivated and doing well in your role. 

#3: Establish boundaries.

It’s important to cultivate a positive working relationship with your employer and that means establishing boundaries and a sense of mutual respect. 

Say ‘no’ to additional tasks or work that falls outside of designated hours to prevent burnout and protect your sanity. If you feel like boundaries are being crossed or you are not being respected, speak up – even if it’s difficult. You are part of a family team and should not tolerate disrespect in any way. 

#4: Speak gratitude.

Starting a gratitude journal or physically speaking out loud the things you’re thankful for each day can work wonders in shifting a negative mindset into one that’s more positive.

Not sure where to start? Look at the big picture: be thankful for your job, the breath in your lungs, a sunny day, and your health to be able to go to work. As you go along, try to notice even the smallest things to be thankful for: light traffic on the way to work or to the grocery store, for a song that came on the radio that you haven’t heard in a while, or for a delicious meal that nourished you after a long day. 

#5: Don’t settle for being paid ‘off-the-books’.

Self-care means caring for your whole self – and that includes your finances, too. Your household employer should be paying you as a legal employee.

Paying ‘off the books’ is not only illegal, but it doesn’t protect you. In fact, if you need to file for unemployment later down the road and you hadn’t been paid on the record, your unemployment benefits could be negatively impacted or severely delayed. So, insist that you are paid time and paid legally – from day one of employment. 

To stay the best of the best, taking care of yourself is of utmost importance. If you are looking for a new role in the domestic staffing industry, our experienced team at Household Staffing can help! We work hard to match families and experienced employees with roles that will last for the long term.

Contact us today to learn more about how to find a job that aligns with your skills and passions!