Self-care is key to...

• A. Creating individual resilience and decreasing the effects of work-related stress and trauma.
• B. Increasing burnout.
• C. Isolating from colleagues.
• D. Ignoring symptoms.

Answer: (A)

Self-care is about actively maintaining your well-being so you can cope with the demands of a healthcare role. When you practice self-care, you build personal resilience and improve how you respond to stress and exposure to trauma. Regular sleep, good nutrition, physical activity, clear boundaries, and social support help regulate your nervous system, sustain energy, and preserve empathy for patients and teammates. In high-emotion work environments, this protective habit reduces the adverse effects of work-related stress and trauma over time, making you more capable and steady in daily practice.

It’s not about increasing burnout; by strengthening coping resources, self-care helps prevent or lessen burnout. It doesn’t mean isolating from colleagues—connections and support networks are part of healthy self-care. And it isn’t about ignoring symptoms—recognizing distress and seeking help when needed is a key aspect of staying well.