It’s not surprising that professionals in the caregiving industry care. And when we care, we can also face heavy emotions and a lot of stress. 

According to studies conducted by the Ontario Caregiver Organization, more than half of our colleagues are stressed with overall caregiving management (57%), emotional control (55%), and work-life balance (55%). 65% of caregivers mentioned that they need emotional support, however, only 28% of them actually received any resources.

We have to do more, and provide more to all of our caregivers! Here are some small tasks each institution can do to improve the mental health of everyone involved:

Organize social activities regularly!

Work-life balance is salient, especially in the caregiving field. Social activities not only promote better interactions and communication between caregivers but also improve mental health and reduce stress. For example, comedy shows, balls, and more…whatever it takes to have some fun in your daily/weekly routines!

Provide resilience training!

Caregivers often find it difficult to manage their negative emotions and feelings, and experience depression, burnout, etc., therefore learning how to adapt to stressors is critical for mental wellness. This type of training is used in the military to resolve mental issues like stress, and it should be applied in the medical field as well.

Schedule meditation workshops!

One research done at Stanford University School of Medicine found that people who practice mindfulness meditation show fewer stress-related symptoms and declare that they have a greater sense of control over their health and emotions. So just arrange 15 minutes a day for all employees to meditate, and the return will be impressive!

CareStory is always here, supporting you on your caregiving journey. We hope to continue to deliver empathy, promote workplace wellbeing, and raise mental health awareness in the caregiving industry. Stay with us, we won’t let you down.

REFERENCES:
Well-Being Index
Arizona State University

We are in the caregiving industry, and we know that, at times, negative emotions and feelings can surround us. Burnout, depression, and anxiety—yes, we are experiencing them. When does it end? It’s always a good idea to make hay while the sun shines. Start promoting mental health today and prevent long-term mental illness, with a few small changes.

Do some self-care activities every day!

Lots of people only have self-care activities during weekends. For example, going to the spa, getting a massage, acupuncture, etc. These activities often consume a whole day and sometimes even cost half a paycheck. However, it’s better to actually have daily self-care activities instead of waiting for a day off to “treat yourself.” You can take a 5-minute daily meditation, you can have a daily 15-20 minute video call with your close friends, you can read books and take bubble baths, etc. You can also do any activity you really enjoy! Give yourself at least a few minutes every day to regulate emotions and revel in something restorative :)!

Commit to healthy eating habits!

An article published at Harvard Health Publishing mentioned that eating high-quality foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants can protect our brains from oxidative stress. We understand that sometimes you are too busy to prepare a healthy meal from scratch for yourself and consume junk food. Try meal-prepping! You can cook several healthy meals with fresh veggies, whole grains and lean protein and store them in your refrigerator. So next time you’re in a pinch, you can just take out a meal, microwave it, and off you go!

Take breaks when you’re exhausted!

Breaks are crucial to preventing burnout. We know that when you’re so busy working on your tasks, stepping outside for a fifteen-minute break and getting some fresh air seems impossible, but you have to do it! Trust us, you need to release your accrued tension when you feel too overwhelmed since breaks can help you become more focused and energized. But if you continue to work when you are exhausted, you will only become less efficient, and that will take you even longer to finish your tasks. If you work with your team, please ensure that everyone can take breaks every 3-4 hours. Cover for each other while they’re on break.

Ignoring your stress is the least effective way to cope with your health issues! Let’s face mental health issues proactively together! Take our advice—we care about you a lot, and we want you to care about yourself as well!

REFERENCES:
RNnetwork
Gebaur Company
Harvard Health Publishing