{"id":8233,"date":"2025-12-02T09:49:43","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T17:49:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/safecarebc.ca\/?post_type=safetytopic&#038;p=8233"},"modified":"2026-05-14T11:27:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T18:27:42","slug":"communication-for-self-care","status":"publish","type":"safetytopic","link":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/?safetytopic=communication-for-self-care","title":{"rendered":"Communication for self-care"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When we think about self-care, we often focus on rest, nutrition, movement and mindfulness. But how we communicate\u2014with others and about others\u2014also has a strong impact on our well-being. Communication affects our relationships, shapes our emotions and influences how stressed or supported we feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The way we communicate supports self-care in two key ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>It supports our nervous system<\/strong>: Calm, respectful and emotionally aware communication helps reduce the body\u2019s stress response. When conversations are handled well, we are less likely to enter \u201cfight-or-flight.\u201d This keeps us grounded and protects our energy and emotional resilience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It builds genuine connection<\/strong>: Respectful communication creates trust and understanding. Feeling heard and valued strengthens our sense of belonging \u2014 a core human need that helps protect against stress and burnout.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is respectful communication?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Respectful communication is about understanding and being understood in a way that supports clarity, empathy and connection. It focuses on mutual understanding rather than shaming, blaming or reacting defensively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It includes listening with empathy, expressing your own feelings clearly, validating others and using calm, steady language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Strategies for communicating respectfully<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Avoid these behaviours:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Name-calling or labeling:<\/strong>\u201cShe is so lazy. She never wants to help anyone.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Blaming or finger-pointing:<\/strong>\u201cThey never get the schedule right and it always ruins everything.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shaming:<\/strong>\u201cAnyone else would have done a better job than you.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sarcasm or mocking tones:<\/strong>\u201cOh, look who\u2019s back on shift. Must be nice to have so many days off.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Non-verbal disrespect:<\/strong> Eye-rolling, sighing, ignoring someone or using dismissive gestures. <a href=\"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/topics\/non-verbal-communication\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/topics\/non-verbal-communication\/\">(Learn more about non-verbal communication)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Try these respectful communication strategies:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Set <a href=\"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/topics\/healthy-boundaries\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/topics\/healthy-boundaries\/\">healthy boundaries<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Boundaries protect your emotional energy and help you stay centered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Instead of:<\/strong>\u201cYou\u2019re always late. You clearly don\u2019t care how this affects everyone.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Try:<\/strong>\u201cI feel stressed when handover is delayed. If you\u2019re running late, please message me so I can plan ahead.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Use <a href=\"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/topics\/strength-based-communication\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/topics\/strength-based-communication\/\">strength-based communication<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Focus on what is going well, not just the problems.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Instead of:<\/strong>\u201cYou forgot to update the care plan again. I always have to fix it.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Try:<\/strong>\u201cI noticed Mrs. Jay\u2019s care plan isn\u2019t complete yet. I know you\u2019ve been busy and I appreciate the time you\u2019re spending with residents. What would help you finish it before the end of your shift?\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Use \u201cI\u201d Statements<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Share how you feel without placing blame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Instead of:<\/strong>\u201cJoy is always on her phone. She doesn\u2019t care about the team.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Try:<\/strong>\u201cI feel concerned when I see time spent on phones during shifts. It seems like residents may not be getting full attention.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Use trauma-informed principles.<\/strong><br>Support choice, collaboration, understanding, and empowerment.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Instead of:<\/strong><em>\u201cYou need to help me bathe Mr. Roy.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Try:<\/strong><em>\u201cMr. Roy needs a bath today. Would you be able to help me with that now, or would after your break work better?\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Tips for practicing respectful communication<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Notice what you feel in your body.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Different communication styles create different physical responses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When we shame, blame, or criticize, our body may tense\u2014tight shoulders, clenched jaw, shallow breath.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When we choose calm, respectful communication, the body feels more open and settled. Breath becomes even and slow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tuning in to these signals helps you choose communication that supports\u2014not drains\u2014your well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Take a pause.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A brief pause\u2014even one slow breath\u2014creates space between impulse and response.<br>Pausing allows you to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reset your nervous system<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prevent reactive communication<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Respond in a way that reflects your values and intentions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Respectful communication is about understanding and being understood in a way that supports clarity, empathy and connection.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":9319,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","tags":[],"audience":[118],"topic-type":[397],"topic":[],"class_list":["post-8233","safetytopic","type-safetytopic","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","audience-audience"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/safetytopic\/8233","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/safetytopic"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/safetytopic"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9319"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8233"},{"taxonomy":"audience","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Faudience&post=8233"},{"taxonomy":"topic-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftopic-type&post=8233"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftopic&post=8233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}