Minimizing Stress While Working in the Healthcare Industry: 7 Top Tips

• (Photo : Minimizing Stress While Working in the Healthcare Industry: 7 Top Tips)

Healthcare workers are some of the most stressed professionals in any industry, due to their job roles having a significant impact both physically and mentally on their health and wellbeing. While many people enter this sector due to the rewarding nature of helping others, there are occasions when they are left feeling out of control and in need of some guidance to get back on track. 

During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, healthcare workers have faced extreme pressure to keep on top of the demands that the industry has had to face and tackle unforeseen circumstances that have been extremely frightening, to say the least.

If you're hoping to work in the healthcare sector and are worried about your mental health or are currently employed in healthcare and are on the lookout for tips on managing your stress levels, this article will provide some useful tips to beat stress:

• Talk to someone

Talking therapy can truly help with how you're feeling, although it may be the very last thing you want to do at the end of a long shift. When you're feeling troubled or unable to cope in certain situations, opening up to someone - whether it be a friend or family member - can truly help put your thoughts into perspective and make sense of your emotions. If you try and bury a worry in your mind, it will simply grow and grow and eventually consume you. You may find it difficult to talk with family and friends, but there is always the option to talk to a professional counselor who can oversee the situation from an unbiased standpoint.

• Self-care

While you may not believe that self-care is of high importance in comparison to your other responsibilities, it is crucial to think about yourself from time to time to keep your mental health in check. If you fail to take a step back and evaluate your personal needs, you're at a significant risk of burn out which can cause you to fall into a downward spiral of poor health and, thus, lose the ability to take care of others.

• Combat compassion fatigue

Healthcare workers typically enter the industry on the basis that they feel strongly about caring for others, so when having to deal with grueling and emotionally draining situations, there's a likelihood they may suffer from compassion fatigue. Due to having a compassionate nature, they may find it difficult to switch off at the end of the shift, which means they're always carrying the burden around with them. Likewise, running on adrenaline constantly is sure to make you feel depleted of energy. Being constantly exposed to these situations and having to deal with such emotions can lead to anxiety and depression.

Experts have claimed that breathing exercises are one of the best ways to counteract compassion fatigue. Mindfulness has also been shown to limit stress and anxiety levels by the act of fully concentrating on the present moment rather than what has gone on in the past or what may happen in the future.

• Take on further study

Some healthcare workers feel trapped in their existing roles and believe they are unable to progress further. This sense of confinement has caused many healthcare workers to either walk out of their jobs or suffer mentally because they feel a lack of personal fulfillment. 

Luckily, you can find plenty of guidance online on how to reach your career goals in healthcare. You'll be pleased to know that there are many opportunities to take advantage of to push your career forwards.

Many healthcare workers choose to take on extra study when they believe they're stuck in a rut to help give them a newfound purpose and sense of direction. A Doctor of Nursing Practice, otherwise known as an MSN DNP, for example, is the perfect career booster for those who wish to reach the highest level of nursing. There are various nursing sectors that you may wish to branch into, including:

- Executive nurse leadership
- Family nurse practitioner
- Neonatal nurse
- Nurse-midwifery
- Pediatric nurse

You don't necessarily have to leave your current role to endure further study. Most nursing courses can now be studied 100% online to fit around your other commitments.

• Get enough sleep

It can be extremely difficult to get the sleep you need as a nurse due to the varying shift patterns which may be breaking your cycle. However, getting enough sleep is vital for your health and wellbeing. Sleep is important for the repair of your heart, but it also helps to improve your focus and enhance energy levels. In nursing, keeping on top of your tasks while on shift is essential, but without adequate sleep, it is easy to become overwhelmed and feel incapable of making important decisions with confidence. If you're unable to get the average 7-9 hours of sleep per night, it would be recommended to look into a few key strategies to help you sleep better.

• Maintain boundaries

As mentioned, nursing can be extremely challenging, and you may find that you're skipping breaks to keep on top of your tasks. During 12-hour shifts, not having that breather to grab a snack or use the bathroom can be extremely grueling on your body. If possible, try and force yourself to take your break and spend time out of the environment so that you're able to recharge and continue the shift with a fresh mind. If you feel like you're missing out on breaks due to the high-pressure environment you're working in, it may be a good idea to speak with your manager and work out a solution.

• Be aware of trauma symptoms 

In professions such as nursing, it's common for workers to suffer trauma. When we are exposed to traumatic events, it is extremely common to encounter some form of response. Trauma can affect the body and mind in various ways, whether that be rerunning the scene of events in the mind, averting any reminders of the incident, or feeling constantly anxious to the point where you're unable to sleep or eat. If you spot any of these circumstances weeks after a traumatic event has occurred, it would be highly advisable to reach out and seek support.