By Jenifer Brown
Our industry is directly involved in the Covid-19 health care crisis on a daily basis. It is vital that we take care of ourselves physically by wearing protective gear and following federal and state regulatory guidelines. It is also important to take care of our mental and emotional health.
In today’s workplace environment, especially in light of the virus, achieving a work-life balance seems out of reach. Being stressed, tired and overextended has become a normal part of our industry’s professional life. Many psychologists and even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “highlight long-term and unresolvable burnout as not a symptom but rather a major health concern.” Biologically we are not meant to be in that high-stress mode all the time. Oftentimes, we think that the only way to be productive is to be constantly on the go. Plus, job burnout may be hard to identify or accept due to feeling it is some sort of failure on our part.
Common symptoms can be loss of appetite and passion for things you love or being unable to find motivation for things that you were able to accomplish easily before. It could also be more irritability or even anger toward co-workers or loved ones. These symptoms can lead to absenteeism, turnover and errors due to not being as careful on the job as normal.
Here are some ways to avoid being overstressed or burned out on the job:
- A trusted peer/mentor at work with whom you can discuss and strategize other ways to deal with work-related issues. That makes you feel that each of you have each other’s back and that you are there for each other so that you are not alone in this time of stress.
- Try focused breathing at work to help you reduce or manage stress. This is due to tapping into your parasympathetic nervous system.
- If possible take frequent breaks at work, preferably five-minute breaks for every 30 minutes spent on a single task.
- Find or start a hobby where you can decompress, de-stress and totally dissociate from work.
- Do regular exercise or fitness activity which has both stress relief and physical benefits. For example: Yoga is a great exercise venue which combines focused breathing, mental meditation and physical activity.
- Aside from good diet, exercise and sleep, there’s one surefire way to combat stress, low job morale and burnout; “Laughter,” CDC Team Leader of Workplace Health Programs Jason Lang said. “Find some humor in daily life.”