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Burnout in the Massage ProfessionOne of the reasons why I have created this site is because of all the massage therapists that I have personally seen come and go in this profession. Burn out is the number one reason for quitting your massage job or closing your business. It is often a result of working to fix people rather than focusing on being of service. It happens when we forget to take care of ourselves. It happens when we aren't paying attention to what we do, who we are, how we influence clients and what meaning we make out of our work. Burnout can be prevented by becoming conscious of all parts of ourselves that come into the making of our practices or jobs. Preventing burn out is more than just learning to work with proper body mechanics at the table and is more than taking care of yourself physically (eating good, sleeping well, vacationing). In order to prevent burn out one has to become aware of how you are giving away your energy. A recent poll at massagetoday.com lists the many ways to take care of oneself. I purpose that it is more than just getting regular massage, exercise and yoga. (Although those things are important.) Taking care of oneself involves learning about oneself -learning about our beliefs that create defense mechanisms and keep us from being connected to ourselves. Learning to recognize the early symptoms of burnout can help you start to see the early signs of burnout and learn what you can do to prevent and treat burnout.
. Resources: FOR MASSAGE THERAPISTS ONLY: Dealing with burnout - from www.thehealers.com. The adage "Healer cure thyself" is good advice for massage therapists. As healers, massage therapists urge their clients to reduce stress, listen to their bodies and take care of themselves, but all too often they do not take their own good advice.http://www.coping.org/growth/burnout.htm
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