Stress in the healthcare workers is very common; almost all healthcare workers around the world suffer from occupational stress due to long hours, heavy workload, job insecurity and conflicts with co-workers or bosses and several other reasons. But occupational stress is not the only type of stress among healthcare workers.
Healthcare caregivers and workers of all sorts are known for experiencing a workplace related stress known as Compassion Fatigue. This is caused by over a period of time their abilities to care and feel for patients begins to diminish due to the overuse in regards to skills related to compassion.
Because these individuals often care significantly about loved ones and their patients and are subjected to listening to or seeing suffering, pain and fear that often find that they empathetically experience very similar emotions. These particular emotions or feelings are regarded as normal and treatments or symptoms relating to Compassion Fatigue can be compared to various other types of stress.
Some healthcare professionals are quite aware of the kinds of stress they may encounter while pursuing this career, but many are not. Or, even those who are aware of the fact still encounter unexpected and unforeseen stressful situations at workplace.
If you are a healthcare professional who was not aware of the stress associated with the jobs in this sector prior, you might have already been thinking about switching jobs in a sector that offers low stress high paying jobs. Well, the good news is that, you don’t really have to take this extreme step, because there are ways with which you can reduce and manage your workplace related stress.
Below are a few practical techniques to use to avoid stress among healthcare workers and to prevent them from over running their life when at home or at work.
10 Tips for Healthcare Workers to Manage Stress
1- Avoid Pulling the Trigger Related to Stress
One of the initial processes in controlling stress would be to become aware of your own personal triggers. This can assist you in avoiding stress responses. For instance if you are stressed due to micromanagement, rather than thinking about what can go wrong, learn how to handle a micromanaging boss or supervisor. If you are stressed due to workload, talk to your supervisor to find a solution rather than stressing about it all the time.
2- Manage Your Life and Work Balance
This means taking the time to enjoy interests that have nothing to do with your work life. These activities can include exercising or something quieter such as meditation or reading. It becomes very important to actively engage in these activities that you find fulfilling, relaxing or enjoyable.
3- Take Care of Yourself
It is unwise to underestimate how your current physical condition will have an effect on how you are able to handle stress. You may need to develop more healthy habits such as limiting or eliminating the use of tobacco and alcohol, getting enough sleep, good nutrition and regular exercise.
4- Learn to Manage the Time that You Have
There are definite factors that can increase your stress levels such as running late. This may mean you need to plan ahead of each day so that you make it to work on time without feeling constantly stressed.
5- Become Organized
If you are one of those people that constantly finds that you have forgotten appointments or misplaced something or you accomplish a lot less than you are capable of. Organization can assist you in overcoming such problems, which will provide a way to become more productive and efficient, while at the same time reducing your stress levels.
6- Resist Wanting Everything to be Perfect
A lot of stress among healthcare professionals is due to wanting everything to be perfect; it can either be at workplace or otherwise. If you truly feel like you are able to improve on the way you do things, rather work on improvements opposed to perfection.
7- Attempt to Start Each Day with a Positive Attitude
Mayo Clinic experts have stated that engaging in positive self-talk is a way to improve on your outlook and you general state-of-mind will be more optimistic which makes handling stress a far easier task.
8– Talk it Out
Talking about problems with a person who is empathetic and supportive is a fantastic way to relieve stress and talk about your emotions. If you are having a bad day at workplace, talking to a friend or a family member about how you are feeling is a great way to relieve yourself from the burden.
If you do not prefer talking, you may want to keep a journal and write out your frustrations.
9- Talk to the Supervisor/Manager
Whether you are concerned about the negative behavior or a co worker or looking to know how to ask for a raise in salary, consulting your manager is always a great idea. Never hesitate to consult with a supervisor when something is bothering you. This enables a productive way for the both of you to develop plans that may be able to relieve stress while working.
10- Take a Break or Disconnect from the Toxic Environment
Taking time out even if it is only for a few minutes is a great way to immediately disconnect from your immediate environment to avoid your stress levels from rising. If you can take a short walk or do a few breathing exercises.
If you think you can deal with all of these, then why not apply for a job through Cavendish Professionals.
