Stress is Viral too
Mariah Edgington
Holistic Integrative Therapy Nurse ? Mindset Mentor ? Retired ER, ICU, Flight Nurse ? Neurodiversity Advocate ? TEDxSpeaker ? Keynote Speaker ? DEI Certified ? Best-Selling Author
Unfortunately, many people don't realize how the pressure mounts for the bedside clinician. Until you've been on that frontline, you have no idea how high the toll of losing 'the patient' you thought you should have been able to save is on your mental health. These days it's not 'the patient', it's patients, and the stress levels are enormous. We're hearing stories of coping, or not. These tragic patient losses get buried initially in order to survive, just to continue returning to the bedside. Looking down the road, what is the future for those frontliners who've seen life and death of COVID-19 up close and personal? Losses over and over again. Day after day.
Finding strength to endure these difficult times is critical. Common themes for self-care are meeting your basic needs at work - something that's often neglected - eat, hydrate, take breaks. Exercise. Find a way not to isolate from those you love. Confide in a trusted person to share the burden. Get sufficient sleep. Nurses, and all clinicians, should reach out to supportive groups for their resources.
Offerings from:
Trusted Health at Bevy Cares
ANA webinar
Nursing Times "Are You OK?" campaign
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