Small steps you can take to de-stress on/off shift
To help you get distance.
Though it may be a challenge to prioritise your own wellbeing whilst you’re mobilising to support so many others, it has never been more important to find ways to address your own physical and mental health. Here are four simple stress-reducing steps you can take when on a break:
Make movement part of your day
A Harvard University study found that people who exercise regularly have enhanced emotional resilience to prolonged exposure to stress. Taking 10 minutes to stretch will help you feel invigorated, increase your flexibility and your range of motion. It will also lower your chances of injuring a muscle, while reducing stress levels and boosting your mental performance throughout the day. Aim to do 10 dynamic stretches before the start of a shift and/or during a break.
Do breathing exercises
Practised by Navy Seals, Box Breathing is used for stress management and can help you relax. It’s easy and can be done anywhere, even in a noisy environment like a hospital.
Step one: Breathe in through the nose for a count of four.
Step two: Hold your breath for a count of four.
Step three: Breathe out for a count of four.
Step four: Hold breath for count of four.
Repeat.Practice mindfulness techniques
Some evidence shows that mindfulness and meditation can increase some aspects of brain function and lower stress. If you don’t have a regular practice, try an app like Headspace with short guided meditations to help you stay calm and centered.
Make a gratitude wall
Write short gratitude notes to colleagues and put them in a central place for everyone to see. In times of crisis, gratitude is particularly important to help a workplace cope with stress because it reminds you why you’re all there in the first place.