\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 1. \u00a0too big of a workload.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 2. family and personal lives are challenged due to job.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 3. employment doesn\u2019t allow them enough time outside of work to recover.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The top 3 ways to manage stress and support the wellbeing of staff is to<\/strong><\/p>\n 1.\u00a0promote getting a good night’s sleep<\/a>, These are the 3 most effective ways to manage stress, from a physiological standpoint. They help the body heal, and also help your brain function properly.<\/p>\n In this post, I’m citing the research of Gail Kinman, Kevin Teoh, and Anne Harriss on supporting the well-being of healthcare workers during and after COVID-19. <\/a><\/em>A study conducted in China found over half of the sample (54%) rated the psychological impact of the outbreak as moderate or severe. They found 29% and 16% reporting mild to severe symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively.<\/p>\n Preliminary findings of research on the effects of COVID-19 on the UK population found that depression and anxiety levels increased significantly after the lockdown was announced. Those with pre-existing mental health problems were the first to feel the pinch. And as the pandemic progressed, financial worries and unemployment compounded the feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, and frustration. Suddenly my top 3 reasons for burnout seem like a walk in the park for our health practitioners.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With the rise in distress levels being experienced among the general population, healthcare professionals have emerged to be the most vulnerable. Recent research showed that many frontline health professionals are experiencing depression, anxiety, distress, and insomnia.<\/em><\/p>\n While the predictors of distress for healthcare workers are still unknown, research exploring their psychological responses to previous epidemics of infectious disease found that the key predictors include:\u00a0long working hours, lack of support<\/em> and vital equipment, and feelings of vulnerability or loss of control<\/em>. Others also include; concerns about the health of oneself and one’s family and feeling isolated.<\/em><\/p>\n The current and projected scale of distress among healthcare professionals is of grave concern. Recent reviews of the healthcare workforce’s mental health and wellbeing in the UK revealed that the staff were already demoralized, and mentally and physically depleted. The study further explained how the staff was at high risk of work-related stress and burnout. This is in response to increasing demands and diminishing staffing levels and other resources.<\/p>\n While recently speaking with more and more hospital executives, I’m hearing: “We have everything covered internally”<\/em>, or “Our CNO doesn’t think staff feel like taking part in any programs<\/em>” or “our staff is tired and they won’t do the program<\/em>“. What strikes me most is that hospital culture, as a whole, is tired – if not exhausted – so any job to motivate their staff must be outsourced, and be innovative and engaging<\/a>.\u00a0As to when these executives will take charge of these issues is only a matter of time.<\/p>\n But here’s the thing, the risk of trauma and suicide was particularly high among some groups of healthcare staff. And the real cost to the hospital is a loss of\u00a0nurses and doctors.<\/p>\n The research clearly shows that the existing threats to healthcare professionals’ wellbeing will be compounded under the current highly pressurized conditions.\u00a0Frontline workers are not only experiencing a rapid increase in the volume and intensity of their work, but also having to cope with additional challenges like harsh working environments,<\/em> changing protocols<\/em>, and unprecedented exposure to trauma<\/em> with little opportunity for orientation and training<\/em>.<\/p>\n Health professionals are also likely to experience moral and ethical conflicts that challenge their beliefs and personal standards of care.\u00a0The resulting psychological distress can have profound and long-lasting effects on their mental health, identity, and personal relationship. This will undoubtedly affect their clinical skills and job performance if ignored, making the workplace an ideal environment to run experiential programs like The ProMind Experience.<\/a><\/p>\n The study went on to state it is now widely recognized that healthcare professionals are in particular need of evidence-based support initiatives to help mitigate the effects of the pandemic on their current and future wellbeing. I have the ideal solution for you because The ProMind Experience<\/a>\u00a0supports staff with 2 key features: \u00a0a process and a mindset. Both are required to effect proper change, and without the process, staff will run around from workshop to workshop never making any changes.<\/p>\n This community-based initiative was created by a coach-trained nurse and educator, for nurses and allied health professionals. While we know that healthcare professionals should be aware of early signs of distress and burnout, their ability to practice self-compassion and prioritize self-care might be diminished (See podcast episode on The Importance of Workplace Health<\/a>)<\/p>\n Finding joy in the simple things<\/a> might not be easy to begin with. During a pandemic, staff need added support and a shift in mindset. To foster peak performance and recovery, our health care practitioners should be offered more than the standard “in-services” that aid in individual coping strategies. Instead, mindfulness and mindset training enable them to learn such things as acceptance, mindfulness.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It should be noted that support among healthcare professionals is frequently stigmatized, or undervalued, which could be a barrier to seeking help. My own personal opinion is that the type of “support” offered in institutions tends to be outdated. Although it seems to come from a good place, the supporter might lack a powerful mindset and empowerment strategy that’s consistent with permanent change.<\/p>\n A better solution would be to prevent such a breakdown, and leave of absence, and encourage your staff through proper coaching, personal development programs and mentorship, such as what we provide through the innovative and experiential\u00a0ProMind Experience.<\/a><\/p>\n When you realize the benefits of having external partnerships, you might find yourself less stressed about the possibility of losing staff, while also relieving your own staff of further burnout. The last thing you want is advice being provided by staff that are struggling in the same ways, through the same stressful situation. Outside partnerships allow for improved staff engagement. Partnering with Satori is done in 4 easy steps, putting us at the forefront of selling the program to frontline staff.<\/p>\n Organizations play a critical role in supporting the wellbeing of healthcare professionals and other essential workers. Leaders and managers need to be emotionally resilient and have appropriate knowledge, skills, and tools to support their staff during these challenging times. In reality, leaders and managers can’t do it all. It’s just not possible right now.<\/p>\n A key step in managing your own personal needs<\/a> is to have the awareness that you can’t fulfill all roles to everybody. Ideally, \u00a0you want to partner with the right experts that will help complement your role within the organization. This\u00a0partnership can help you facilitate the kind of team you want to lead. Partnering with Satori is the ideal solution at this time to effect good leadership.<\/p>\n It is important not to pathologize people’s fears and anxieties as they are stressful and frightening. Many people will cope well. Most will not experience distress and won’t require formal intervention leading to long-term effects. Having said that, hospitals might consider the Fall of 2020 as an ideal time to put suitable services in place. Now’s the time<\/strong> to support healthcare staff,<\/strong> despite it being during an acute phase of the pandemic.<\/p>\n Why not give health care professionals a great and fun reward \u00a0to mitigate this stress and avoid the potential aftermath of COVID-19, \u00a0when demand will undoubtedly grow???<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Researchers have warned that a new workplace culture is needed to overtly recognize how the very nature of the work carried out by nurses and allied health professionals can strain their mental health. They called for action to tackle the organizational causes of stress that increase the burden on staff. The report by the Society of Occupational Medicine<\/a> paints a workforce that is already under pressure before the weight of COVID-19.<\/p>\n This, therefore, begs me to ask the following questions:<\/p>\n Why not get a handle on the workplace stress now and offer your staff an ideal solution<\/a> to help them work towards their goals and personal growth, rather than encourage – even perpetuate – the same personal, professional and system barriers?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n These are certainly questions that professors’ Gail Kinman, Kevin Teoh, and Anne Harriss have posed themselves, and what’s initiated such research as that in supporting the well-being of healthcare workers during and after COVID-19.\u00a0<\/a>Thank you professors, for your work!<\/em><\/p>\n For more on meditation,<\/p>\n See Episodes 33: 5 Interesting Facts About Meditation,\u00a0 <\/a> To have a chat with Lynn, and be one of eight leading health institutions to join\u00a0The ProMind Experience,<\/a>\u00a0 book your demo now to find out how this initiative can support you and your leaders.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.satorihealth.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/exploding-brain-PE6U4VF-scaled.jpg\")
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\n2. encourage staff to get their daily exercise fix<\/a>, and
\n3. apply deep breathing as a strategy.<\/a><\/p>\nThe Research On The Effects Of COVID.<\/h3>\n
![\"Banish](\"https:\/\/www.satorihealth.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/apartment-bed-carpet-269141.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhat’s The Impact On The Frontline?<\/h3>\n
![\"Satori](\"https:\/\/www.satorihealth.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/intentional-life.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhat Do Hospitals Think of This Impact?<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.satorihealth.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/istockphoto-1270585061-612x612-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMy Two Big Questions: <\/strong><\/h2>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.satorihealth.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/clinic-1807543_640.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Need For Evidence-Based Initiatives<\/h2>\n
Mindset Training & Mindfulness Are Key To Employee Retention<\/h3>\n
![\"Learn](\"https:\/\/www.satorihealth.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/DD-05142016-0O1A9516.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nTowards A Better Solution<\/h2>\n
![\"health](\"https:\/\/www.satorihealth.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/doctor-3457027_640.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSupport For Leaders
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\n<\/span><\/h3>\n![\"health](\"https:\/\/www.satorihealth.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/With_Background_2.jpg\")
<\/h2>\nMoving Forward With A Powerful Mindset<\/h2>\n
![\"the](\"https:\/\/www.satorihealth.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/meditation640-e1555004414971.jpg\")
<\/p>\nA Few More Questions for the Human Resources Professionals<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.satorihealth.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/question-mark-2123966_640.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
![\"Meditation](\"https:\/\/www.satorihealth.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_7730.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nEpisode 19: Building A Super-Mind,\u00a0<\/a>
\nEpisode 15 on Crafting Your Own Meditation Space and<\/a>
\nEpisode 14: Top 5 Myths of Meditation<\/a>
\nEpisode 43:\u00a0Top 3 Ways To Control Your Stress During COVID-19<\/a>
\nPost: How Meditation Helps for Stress-Management<\/a><\/p>\n