Mental Health for First Responders, Front line and Essential Workers

Hello! We hope that everyone has been safe and healthy during these difficult times. This is certainly an unexpected event that is trying both our physical and mental healths. For tips on the coronavirus and your mental health, look to the previous post on our blog!
Today, we would like to pay special attention to the first responders, front liners, and essential workers of COVID-19. First and importantly, we would like to thank them for their services, and for sacrificing sleep, health, time, and well-being for all of us. They are the true meaning of heroes.
Secondly, being a mental health practice, we would like to call attention to the stress and potential trauma this pandemic may have on our brave heroes. With the chaos of this time, first responders and other front liners are bound to experience "stress, anxiety, fear, and other strong emotions". Additionally, burnout, "compassion fatigue", vicarious traumatization, and PTSD may arise.
The CDC has established a page specifically for stress and coping in our healthcare workers (and other essential workers). They offer symptoms of stress to look out for as well as tips for coping with the stress. A few of these include:

• Communicating with coworkers, supervisors, and employees about job stress
• Keeping a consistent daily routine as much as possible that includes sleep, meals, and breaks for rest
• Taking breaks from the news and social media
• Engaging in mindfulness techniques such as breathing exercises and meditation
• Continuing (or starting) mental health treatment and to talk about new or worsening symptoms

On this page, The CDC also lists numerous online and phone lines for those who need or know someone who needs help. Here is the link:

CDC Stress & Coping in Healthcare

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/mental-health-healthcare.html 

Mind Body Co-op would like to again thank everyone who is doing their part, large or small, during COVID-19. We especially thank all first responders, front liners, and essential workers for their resilience and bravery.

Safety and health to all,
Mind Body Co-op

Your MENTAL HEALTH and the Coronavirus

 

The WORLD is talking about the Coronavirus or COVID-19. In addition, people are beginning to feel increasing levels of anxiety, worry, or fear around their health status or that of others.

 

All of this anxiety, worry and fear can affect your MENTAL health, so it is not the time to ignore it.

In addition to informing us about the virus and the steps to take in order to prevent it, the CDC has also provided a page on their Coronavirus site to for Mental Health and Coping (HERE: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/coping.html  ). 

Here are some of the recommendations from the CDC to help support your mental health during this time:

-         Avoid excessive exposure to media coverage of COVID-19

-         Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep and avoid alcohol and drugs.

-         Make time to unwind and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade. Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. It can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. Try to do some other activities you enjoy to return to your normal life.

-         Connect with others. Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member. Maintain healthy relationships.

-         Maintain a sense of hope and positive thinking.

Stay up to date (with the correct sources!) on the spread and prevention of COVID-19. With that, pay attention to your mental health during this time of global stress. Stay up to date on how you’re experiencing this stress by paying attention to your body, emotions, behavior and thinking. Contact your correct sources for any mental health needs.

With hope,

Mind Body Co-op