As helpers, we need to ensure that we are not falling into a vicious circle of helping others but draining ourselves, says author Debbie Holmes

The helping profession is filled with people who are selfless and giving. If you are a helper, you are probably well-acquainted with the intrinsic rewards of helping others, as well as the draining effect helping can have on you.

Burnout is a common side-effect of working in a helping role and occurs when we, as helpers, give more of ourselves than is healthy for us. In short: we lose our boundaries, we lose ourselves and we lose what is really important to us.

These are the observations of Debbie Holmes, an educator, speaker, and author of How to Help Others Without Losing Yourself.  Debbie says that as helpers, we need to ensure that we are not falling into a vicious circle of helping others but draining ourselves. In How to Help Others without Losing Yourself you can learn the importance of adopting strategies to keep yourself healthy, vibrant and energized in your daily life.

Debbie Holmes (left) visited Nanaimo on Tuesday July 15, 2014, to speak about her book at the downtown Nanaimo Harbourfront Library. Her goal was for everyone to take away something from the talk—knowing that respecting your clients and especially yourself is key, how to balance work, activities and/or family, respecting other people’s values without compromising your own, laughter is the best medicine (it might not cure all, but it comes close) and more.

People First Radio was there to record Debbie Holmes‘ talk and ask her a few questions. We’ll broadcast that content on Thursday July 17 on our live noon-hour program.

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