Key takeaways: If you are a frontline employee, it is important that you prioritize your mental health to mitigate stress and anxiety in this ever-changing climate. Read more about these tips to help you maintain your mental wellbeing:
- Take a Break
- Maintain your Physical Health
- Talk to Loved Ones
- Find the Good
- Utilize Local Resources
In the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the world has come together to combat the spread of the outbreak. At the heart of the fight are those deemed essential workers. In the U.S. alone, the Department of Homeland Security’s definition of essential industries includes more than 48 million workers. They perform healthcare and public safety duties, support crucial supply chains, and enable functions and maintenance for critical infrastructure.
Our frontline heroes work tirelessly to keep our communities operating safely each day, but they are also managing levels of stress and anxiety that could exceed that of others.
If you are a frontline employee, finding the balance between being a caregiver and practicing self-care may seem challenging. In this ever-changing climate, it is important that you prioritize your mental health to mitigate stress and anxiety. Here are some tips to help you maintain your mental wellbeing:
Take a Break
Staying abreast of daily updates on this global crisis may be necessary, however over-exposure can be discouraging and cause increased anxiety. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you limit your consumption of news coverage and social media by taking time to decompress. Once your shift has ended, try listening to music, meditate or catch up on a good book.
Maintain your Physical Health
The Department of Health in Australia recommends taking steps to help reduce the spread of the virus by washing your hands, covering your coughs, sanitizing your home and workplace, and maintaining social distancing protocols as often as possible. Maintaining this regimen also gives you a sense of safety when returning home to your family members.
And when focusing on keeping your family and home safe, it’s a good practice to find a separate area in your home, if possible, where you can change from your work clothes prior to interacting with family members. This can help minimize the chances of spreading germs.
Fuel your body with healthy foods, and Psychology Today recommends getting plenty of rest each night to promote a healthy immune system and boost your mood. Staying active is also a good way to maintain a sense of normalcy. Take a long walk, find a quiet place to sit outside, go for a jog or do yoga in your home. You’ll feel better prepared for your shift the next day. Remember, you’re a vital part in overcoming this challenge and your health matters too!
Read more about maintaining your physical and mental health while social distancing in our blog.
Talk to Loved Ones
Use video conferencing or web chat services to stay connected to family, friends and coworkers. The American Medical Association advises that you should acknowledge your feelings and share your experiences with one another. Checking in regularly with loved ones can help ease feelings of loneliness and build community during this period of social distancing.
Find the Good
At an unprecedented pace, the world is dealing with the direct or indirect effects of COVID-19 and it can be easy to subscribe to a negative outlook. Be proud of the work that you do and the positive influence that you will continue to make. Harvard University Health Services suggests to practice a mindset of gratitude by spending time each day thinking about things for which you are grateful. Try to remain optimistic. Make plans to enjoy time with family and friends once social distancing is over and the virus is contained.
Utilize Local Resources
If you or someone you know is feeling stressed or overwhelmed with feelings of sadness, depression or anxiety, there are resources available for mental and emotional support during this time. Many services are free and/or confidential. Reach out to your company’s Employee Assistance Program, which may be able to provide support.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is offering free online mental health programs to essential workers struggling with the emotional and psychological strain of COVID-19. The three new online programs include Caring for Yourself, Caring for Your Team and Caring for Others.
In the U.K., the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge recently announced their backing to a new mental health support network to help frontline workers battling coronavirus. This initiative, Our Frontline, provides round-the-clock mental health support to healthcare workers, emergency services and other key workers. Frontline staff and key workers can call or text a trained volunteer and access specially developed online resources, tool kits and advice to support their mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Lifeline is a national charity that provides all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. The organization provides 24-hour free and confidential support for people in distress and prevention and crisis resources.
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