How Do You Take Care of Yourself as a Healthcare Worker?

As a healthcare provider, you can become physically and emotionally exhausted during this period, which is why you should consult a lawyer like’ Michigan lemon law attorney ‘ for you to learn what laws apply to  protect healthcare like you.

Concerns and Difficulties Among Healthcare Professionals in Corona Times

As a healthcare professional you can become physically and mentally exhausted during this time. This can be due to:

Physical exhaustion at work

• The high workload
• Wearing protective equipment
• Go beyond your own limits

Mental exhaustion at work

• The constant alertness and vigilance.
• The limitations in acting autonomously and the strict procedures.
• Uncertainty, lack of clarity and discussion about the best course of action and the difficult considerations and choices you have to make.
• The prospect of persistent high workload and stressful situations.
• That it is difficult and sometimes impossible to support and reassure patients because of the strict measures around touch and hold.
• That patients and relatives have sometimes had to say goodbye to each other without real contact.
• Concerns about the number of infections and hospital admissions in the coming period

In your private situation

• The fear that you yourself will become infected and that you will pass on the corona virus to loved ones.
• Your loved ones are concerned about your health.
• Other people might see you as a source of infection and avoid contact.
• You have fewer social contacts due to the high workload and the corona measures.
• You have too little time for yourself, for example to reflect on how you are doing and what you need to stay physically and mentally fit.
• You are frustrated or disappointed with people who don’t follow the rules.

Recognizing and dealing with stress

This crisis situation can continue for a long time; it is not a sprint but a marathon. It is important to stay mentally healthy. Recognizing your stress responses can help. Stress responses are signals that you are reaching your limit. How do you recognize those stress signals and how can you deal with them?

• Research what your stress signals.
• Take the time to take stock for yourself.
• Daily reflect on how you are doing.
• Trust your own strategies.
• Let go of what you cannot influence.

In your home situation: seek relaxation

• End the working day consciously and leave your work behind at work.
• Ask a trusted person if he / she wants to be there when you get back from work so you can share your story.
• Stay in touch with others.
• Family and friends may be concerned about your health and their own.
• Consciously take time to recharge when you are not working
• Consciously schedule a longer period of time off.
• Provide relaxation through exercise, such as gardening, DIY, running or workouts.

At work: how do I keep up?

• Paying attention to each other at work helps to maintain a sense of togetherness and joint focus.
• Discuss with colleagues and your manager what you need to keep doing your work properly.
• It is important to set your limits like .
• Also mention what is going well and give yourself appreciation for it.
• If you notice that you have crossed your line, it can be difficult to fix it.