Stress shouldn’t be a badge of honor, but in the healthcare industry, it’s become a
rite of passage among medical practitioners. Does it have to be this way?
Did you know that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a shocking 92% of nurses
experienced moderate to very high levels of stress? They reported that stress led
them to adopt unhealthy habits such as poor eating habits, lack of sleep, binge
drinking, lack of regular exercise, and overconsumption of junk food.
Unfortunately, high stress levels don't just affect nurses, but all medical practitioners.
In fact, according to Frontiers in Public Health, frontline health workers tend to
experience moderate to moderately severe depression, have higher perceived stress
levels than the general population, and often report much poorer mental health
compared to the average person. It's really unfortunate that so many health workers even consider leaving the industry altogether because of stress and burnout.
What can be done to change this?
Strategies for Decreasing Workplace Stress
We all know that it would be impossible to completely remove stress from the
working life of people within the medical field. So, it’s extremely important that they (YOU) are provided with ways to cope with work-related stress in a healthy way. The following are some ways to manage workplace stress.
Aromatherapy
I know what you’re wondering: how can aromatherapy reduce stress? Im glad you asked! Aromatherapy is a natural, holistic practice that has been used for centuries to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Healthcare providers can enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy by including essential oils as part of their daily routines.
Cortisol is known as the stress hormone, and luckily for healthcare workers,
rosemary is known to reduce cortisol levels. In turn, this can help relieve anxiety and
stress. Lavender, on the other hand, provides a calming effect and can help lower
blood pressure, calm the nervous system, and improve your mood. The sharp, fresh
fragrance of peppermint is excellent at lowering stress levels and providing an
energy boost.
If you’re new to aromatherapy, you might feel unsure of how to use these oils. Here
are four examples of how healthcare providers can use essential oils to reduce
stress:
● Diffuse essential oils in the home or workspace
● Use essential oils for a calming self-massage
● Take a relaxing bath with a few drops of essential oils in the evening
● Spray essential oils around the home or workspace
Take Breaks and Prioritize Self-Care
The most common trend among healthcare workers is their long working hours. Of
course, as a medical professional, looking after your patients is important, but what
about you? It’s time for healthcare workers to adopt airplane rules and put their own
oxygen masks on first.
Taking breaks and prioritizing self-care can significantly reduce stress levels. The
following are three ways healthcare workers can improve well-being:
● Make your health a priority by taking care of your basic needs, like getting
enough sleep, eating well, and staying hydrated.
● Practice mindfulness through meditation, yoga, breathing exercises,
progressive muscle relaxation, and journaling.
● Communicate with your leaders if you find your hours to be unmanageable
and could lead to burnout.
Though stress has become an unfortunate reality for many health workers, by
adopting healthy coping mechanisms, healthcare providers can take steps toward
reducing work-related stress and improving their overall wellness.