So, you got the burnout. As a forensic supervisor, burnout is a real issue. The job can be extremely demanding, with long hours, and high-stress situations. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and burnt out (like we were), it’s important to take action before it affects your health more than it already is. Here are some tips to help you get out of forensic supervisor burnout and back to feeling like yourself again.
Take a break:
Sometimes, the best way to get out of burnout is to take a step back and take some time for yourself. Take a vacation or a few days off to recharge and reset.
Now, I know that a lot of you who are working on small teams and don’t have anyone to cover you just rolled your eyes at me. I get it, but this is important.
Burnout Exhaustion is what puts people into hospitals. It’s what impacts their mental health and has been shown to continue their mental health for multiple years after the removal of stress. Meaning, that if you are burnt out one vacation is NOT going to fix you.
This “vacation” isn’t to reset your burnout. What you need is time by yourself or at least away from the stressors to give you a chance to take back control. You can follow the other tips below and create a plan to reduce burnout catalysts for when you come back.
Practice self-care:
Self-care is essential for preventing and managing burnout. Take care of your physical, emotional, and mental health by eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation.
Also, it’s important to note that your self-care is going to look different than someone else’s. Where I need to physically work out & do some form of cardio every day to keep the crazy brain away your version of self-care may be getting a cup of coffee away from the office.
My husband’s is taking an hour every day to just decompress alone. We call it “solving the world’s problems time.” It’s his time to sit, think, analyze, and plan in his mind.
Take the time to figure out what your thing is. What’s the activity that makes a positive difference when you do it every day for a week?
Talk to someone:
Don’t suffer in silence. Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or colleague about what you’re going through. They may have some helpful advice or simply be there to listen and support you.
A lot of people don’t benefit from their network because they believe that they won’t get any benefit from “bitching” about their burnout.
My dad got up at 5 am every day for 20 years to work his ass off for his country. When I asked him how he handled burnout his answer shocked me and I would never have gotten that if I hadn’t worked up the courage to talk.
When I did, I felt like I was failing and that my struggle should be able to match his. Why was I not capable of his kind of strength?
What did he say? Don’t do anything that you don’t believe in.
If you don’t believe in your job, your boss, or your impact then you won’t be able to combat burnout. He woke up every day knowing that he was going to work to make a difference, to help his community, his country, and his family.
And in that job, he didn’t do anything he didn’t believe. To the point where when his next deployment was outside of his range of passion, he retired.
Set boundaries:
Range of passion. Sometimes, burnout can be caused by overworking or taking on too much. Set clear boundaries for yourself and learn to say no when necessary.
NOT EVERYONE IS MEANT TO BE A SUPERVISOR.
We can’t preach this enough. If you’re burnt out, have lost all love for your career, and hate dealing with your team – maybe being a supervisor isn’t for you.
First step? Figure out what your boundaries need to be.
If your position can’t accommodate those boundaries then this is where that vacation comes in to figure out what you need in life. What’s your passion? If it’s the science then.. time for a hard truth talk.
Seek professional help:
If you’re struggling to get out of burnout on your own, consider seeking professional help. A therapist or counselor can provide you with the tools and support you need to overcome burnout and get back to feeling like yourself again.
Remember, forensic supervisor burnout is a common issue that many people face. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help and take the necessary steps to take care of yourself. You’ve got this!
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PSSTTT… It’s Social Media Free!
What makes the Gap Science Family online community truly special is that we understand the stigma social media platforms create throughout your forensic career. Many prefer to stay off platforms like Facebook or Instagram altogether, which is why we’ve created a dedicated space where you can feel safe to interact and network with like-minded individuals, without the hassle of social media.
How does it work? It’s free to join, but we have opted to make it a private space where all members must be approved by our admin so we can do our best to keep out the robots and spam.
Most of the spaces within the community are free to access, including forums where you can swap files, post job openings, advertise your forensic merch, announce upcoming training, and even share your wins! In the future, you may also see private spaces designated for students in our paid courses.
So join us inside the Gap Science Family online community powered by Circle, your all-in-one destination
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FORENSIC-SPECIFIC TRAINING AND RESOURCES FOR CAREER ADVANCEMENT ARE OFTEN LACKING (OR JUST PLAIN NON-EXISTENT!)
While forensic technician courses are widely available, they may not prepare you for new roles and responsibilities.
Generic leadership courses also may not address the unique challenges of a Forensic Unit. What if you could access forensic-specific training and resources to support your career growth?
Gap Science training courses and resources may be just what you’re looking for!
Ready to take the next steps in your supervisor training? Check out our Courses – Here!
What’s a forensic supervisor boss book?
There’s More, New Taboo Topics episodes will be published at the beginning of every month in 2023! Currently, we’re available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Anchor.
