Mental Wellness Tips - Practicing Mindfulness to Manage Stress

MENTAL WELLNESS TIPS:

PRACTICING MINDFULNESS TO MANAGE STRESS

JOE AVERA, PHD

Licensed Professional Counselor Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant

A crisis situation on a unit can raise stress levels dramatically. Sometimes those crisis moments at work can cause you to feel anxious, scared, or even angry. We often think there’s something wrong if we have these feelings, but you know what? It’s okay to have those feelings. Our feelings are natural reactions to life situations. It’s also important to be able to recognize that while the situation needs to be dealt with in the moment, it’s going to change in the next few minutes or hour. Our feelings and emotions are also going to change. When we are not being mindful and/or being present in the moment, we can get caught up worrying about the outcome.

How do I deal with the parent of an adult patient whose constant questions, suggestions and interruptions are interfering with my ability to provide the best level of care? I may be frustrated with them, but if I’m paying attention to what is going on, I may recognize that this

person is scared and concerned for their loved one. We may be familiar with the medical situation, but this person may not know what is happening. This insight may help me feel more compassion and empathy for the parent and help me find a way to reassure them and address their concerns.

Healthcare professionals, especially front-line staff, must be mentally present at work to make tough decisions and provide the best care possible. Anxiety, stress and depression can take a toll on each of us and affect those in our care. One of the most effective tools for treating anxiety and depression is mindfulness. Mindfulness is simply the intentional act of paying attention to what is occurring in the present moment with acceptance, and without judgment. Practicing mindfulness can help you feel more grounded, reduce anxiety and help you pay attention to what is going on.

12 | Methodist Magazine

Spring Issue 2021 | 13

Breathe IN for 4 seconds

Hold for 4 seconds

SQUARE BREATHING

Hold for 4 seconds

Breathe OUT for 4 seconds

MINDFULNESS: TIPS TO GET STARTED

• Put down your phone.

• Do not multitask. Do one thing at a time.

• Smile.

• Ask yourself what you need.

• Practice paying attention. One way to do this is to drive a new way to work. It forces you to pay attention. Making that change from autopilot mode can help you get comfortable making changes.

SQUARE BREATHING

Stop what you are doing. Breathe deeply. Square breathing is a technique of breathing in for four seconds, holding it for four seconds, and then breathing out for four seconds. Repeating that for several minutes will help relax the nervous system. Use your breath to help take control over the situation.

Studies show that healthcare workers are at a higher risk of suffering from depression and anxiety. This last year has increased that even more for many of us. We want to make sure you have the tools to manage that stress and the resources to help improve. Please reach out to your leader or HR team if you need help.