The contribution of frontline workers, including our doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel amid the COVID-19 The pandemic is unparalleled. Working tirelessly day and night until they got tired, they also had to deal with a lack of essential items as they struggled to save lives and care for Covid patients. What better day to highlight the contribution of our nursing fraternity than International Nurses Day, celebrated around the world on May 12 each year on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. (Also read: Ukrainian nurse who lost her legs and some exploding fingers marries her partner)
ICN (International Council of Nurses) commemorates this important day each year with the production and distribution of International Nurses Day (IND) resources and evidence. This year’s theme is Nurses: A Voice to Lead: Investing in Nursing and Respecting Rights to Ensure Global Health, which focuses on the need to protect, support and invest in the nursing profession to strengthen health systems in everyone. Florence Nightingale was an English social reformer, statesman, and founder of modern nursing.
The job of a nurse is not easy and it is important that you take care of your mental health to deal with all the pressure. If you too are part of this wonderful fraternity, Akanksha Pandey, Consultant Clinical Psychology, Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road on International Nurses Day has some mental health advice for you.
“The Covid-19 outbreak has left all sectors of society with immense ‘pandemic fatigue.’ One of those significant sectors is the nursing fraternity, which has always played a critical role in health care systems. Never They have ceased to amaze us with their display of dedication, determination, selflessness and courage. It is time to pay more attention to the mental well-being of nurses,” says Pandey.
Here are five simple yet effective steps for nurses to take care of your mental health.
Get enough sleep: Nurses often stay up in hospitals during night shifts. Getting a good night’s sleep is primary mental health, and it’s not just the quantity that matters, but the quality as well. Recharge our minds and rejuvenate our souls for a fresh start. Sleep is a must for anyone, especially nurses.
Express yourself: Nobody wants to stay in the workplace for a long time, but when it comes to healthcare workers, especially nurses, longer working hours are inevitable. Nurses in healthcare settings often experience burnout and fatigue that lead to feelings of resistance, indifference, and absenteeism.
However, the best way to fight is by sharing and opening your heart to someone close and trustworthy. It could be your spouse, a family member, a close friend, or a mental health professional. Take the time to share and express your feelings. It helps to feel lighter and creates space for new perspectives.
Create ‘me time’ every day: As long as there is some free time available during hectic hours, it is good to take your mind off the usual tasks. It can be listening to music, painting mandalas, playing with pets or any other activity that eases the mind. Be sure to add a touch of creativity to the activities. Creativity has a strong impact on the happiness quotient as it brings you closer to your childhood and provides a healthy dissociation from all worries and stress.
Keep physical distance but not emotional distance: Staying emotionally connected with loved ones lifts your mood, instills a sense of belonging, promotes self-esteem, and reduces stress. It is imperative for a nurse to spend quality time with family and friends. It can be a small virtual meeting or a video/phone call. It works wonders when connecting with our childhood friends, college friends, or close-knit families.
Seek help: There is nothing wrong with seeking help from a mental health expert. When things get out of hand, it is often wise to seek professional help and appropriate medical advice. Maybe it could be just one more step towards healing. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, rather it shows your strength, courage, and self-respect.
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