More than 70% of health workers reported psychological distress, with high rates of depression, anxiety and insomnia. [1]
The unpredictability and testing nature of the pandemic has impacted their health and wellbeing, particularly for those looking after others as part of their job. In a demanding and testing working environment, nurturing your own health and wellbeing is essential.
The basics to looking after your health are familiar although easily overlooked: eating regularly and having a nutritional diet; staying hydrated; maintaining good sleeping habits; staying active; spending time with family and friends. With a stressful and exhausting workload, it is difficult to tick each box every day.
Try adding some of these simple and easy techniques to your to-do list each day:
- Reconnecting with family and friends once you’ve had time to reboot your energy
- Do something for yourself every day
- When working in a stressful environment, set small action-focused tasks
- Reflect on 3 things that went well throughout your day
- Practice a guided meditation
- Debrief with colleagues about your experiences
If you require additional support, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Black Dog Institute has a library of evidence-based tools and advice for Australian healthcare workers:
- Quick self-help techniques
- Managing burnout and stress
- Managing your mental health
- Hand-n-Hand Support Group – Free, confidential peer support for health professionals
- Looking after a team
[1] Lai J, Ma S, Wang Y, et al. Factors associated with mental health outcomes among health care workers exposed to coronavirus disease 2019. JAMA Netw Open 2020;3(3):e203976. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.3976