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2019 Novel Coronavirus

Resources regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus

Coping Resources

Resilience Training Program for Healthcare Workers 

This is a 3-session online course developed to support frontline healthcare providers. It was created  by Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School. 

Session 1 (19 minutes)

This session focuses on understanding what resilience is and the technique of mindfulness as a way to enhance resilience in times of increased stress.  

Session 2 (16 minutes)

This session describes how our thoughts about the world and other people impact our feelings, and ways of coping with uncertainty.

 

Session 3 (12 minutes)

This session introduces techniques for showing greater kindness towards ourselves during difficult experiences, which can enhance resilience.

 

 

Tips to Cope and Enhance your Resilience from CDC.gov

  • Communicate with your coworkers, supervisors, and employees about job stress.
  • Remind yourself that everyone is in an unusual situation with limited resources.
  • Identify and accept those things which you do not have control over.
  • Recognize that you are performing a crucial role in fighting this pandemic and that you are doing the best you can with the resources available.
  • Increase your sense of control by keeping a consistent daily routine when possible — ideally one that is similar to your schedule before the pandemic.
  • When away from work, get exercise when you can. Spend time outdoors either being physically activity or relaxing. Do things you enjoy during non-work hours.
  • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting and mentally exhausting, especially since you work with people directly affected by the virus.
  • If you feel you may be misusing alcohol or other drugs (including prescriptions), ask for help.
  • Engage in mindfulness techniquesexternal icon, such as breathing exercises and meditation.
  • If you are being treated for a mental health condition, continue with your treatment and talk to your provider if you experience new or worsening symptoms.

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

Tips for Taking Care of Yourself During the Covid-19 Pandemic from Minnesota Department of Health

Responding to health emergencies is both rewarding and challenging work. You can only help others if you take care of yourself.

  • Work in teams and limit amount of time working alone (using self-distancing guidelines if appropriate).
  • Write in a journal.
  • Talk to family, friends, supervisors, and teammates about your feelings and experiences.
  • Practice breathing and relaxation techniques.
  • Maintain a healthy diet and get adequate sleep and exercise.
  • Know that it is okay to draw boundaries and say "no."
  • Avoid or limit caffeine and use of alcohol.
  • Stay connected to loved ones, schedule time to talk if possible.

It is important to remind yourself:

  • It is ok to take breaks.
  • Take care of your own needs and well-being first, then you will be refreshed to assist others.
  • Working all the time does not mean you will make your best contribution.
  • To allow other people to help in the response.

Responders experience stress during a crisis. When stress builds up it can cause:

  • Burnout – feelings of extreme exhaustion and being overwhelmed.
  • Secondary traumatic stress – stress reactions and symptoms resulting from exposure to another individual's traumatic experiences, rather than from exposure directly to a traumatic event.
  • Compassion fatigue – occurs when you experience both burnout and secondary traumatic stress.

Source: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/hcp/mhtips.html

6 Strategies for Improving your Emotional Health from the National Institute of Health (NIH)

Source: https://www.nih.gov/health-information/emotional-wellness-toolkit

Prescription for Self-care

 

Coping during COVID-19: Self-care Tips for Healthcare Workers

 

Relaxation Exercises

Four Minute Office Stretching 

Small Ways to Practice Self Care in Difficult Times

 

Road to Resilience Podcasts, produced by Mount Sinai Health Care in New York City, bring stories and insights to help front-line workers, and others, thrive in a challenging world. From fighting burnout and trauma to building resilient families and communities, the podcasts explore what is possible when science meets the human spirit. Here are some selected episodes:

To listen to all episodes, please visit Road to Resilience Podcasts home page. 

Pandemic Burnout: Healthcare Workers and Beyond

 

  • Heroes Health is a free mobile app from the UNC School of Medicine. It helps health care professionals and first responders monitor their mental health and gain access to mental health resources.
  • CrewCare is a resilience focused app for first responders and health care professionals.