Self-Care and Well-Being: Be Your Best Version

Having worked in the long-term care industry for over 20 years, I know firsthand the peaks and valleys of caring for individuals at one of the most vulnerable times in their life. We have the honor of building relationships with residents whose life lessons and legacy anchor us to the reason we dedicate our lives to older adults, but we also have the challenge of seeing those same residents grow more and more frail--and I haven't yet mentioned the families!

Helping families navigate through their loved ones' final days is a tremendous blessing and struggle. On a good day, our work stress is already significant, and then the coronavirus changed life in ways we could never have imagined. Personal protective equipment supply, mandatory testing, lack of staffing, increased financial strain with a decreased census...there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.

We used to get a break when we went home at night, but now more than ever, we carry the weight of our work with us 24/7. We feel guilt that without their families visiting, residents are lonely and isolated. We have anxiety about getting sick, making our families sick - or worse, being the reason that coronavirus comes in the building, affecting coworkers and residents. We feel the burden to do more, but we are on the verge of burnout. We have grown accustomed to the thought that stress and burnout is part of the job. Then we read another article about self-care and stress management. There is always a suggestion about talking to a mental health professional....

Seeking mental health care remains deeply stigmatized. There is a prevailing thought that strong leaders are not supposed to show weakness or admit that the stress of their work is affecting them, even during extreme circumstances like a pandemic.

We are encouraged to schedule our annual physical appointment with our doctor while insurance companies incentivize us to lose weight or stop smoking, but are we encouraged to seek counseling or to find a support group?

If someone you worked with came into a meeting bleeding from an obvious cut on their arm, would you ignore it? Or worse yet, say, "hang in there...toughen up, please don't bleed on me." Absolutely not! We would do whatever it took to help our colleague receive the help they need. Likewise, we have a duty not only to ourselves, but also to others, to make accessing mental health support as normal to health care as an annual physical or a bi-annual dental appointment.

Our mental health encompasses our psychological, emotional, and social well-being. Ultimately, our mental health impacts how we feel, think, and behave each day, which also contributes to our decision-making, our capacity to cope with stress, and our ability to relate to others. A quick Google search can yield a long list of benefits to seeking mental health support, and I can tell you from my own experience the significant ways it can help.

Society ensures we are well-versed in the small steps we can take to improve our emotional health by reminding us of the importance of exercising, maintaining a healthy diet, improving bedtime routines and sleep quality, and practicing the act of gratitude. But we also need to be open to the option that a mental health professional could be a great resource when feeling burned out, hopeless, or overwhelmed with current life challenges. Without actively working to improve mental health, it is unrealistic to think we can perform better in our work and personal lives. That is why each one of us must realize that we are worthy of the time spent on self-care and on improving our mental health and well-being.

Time with a mental health professional will help uncover strengths and allow you to learn new skills to deal with life challenges. Once you learn these techniques, you can live confidently knowing you are equipped to handle the next obstacle. By being emotionally healthy, we can better adapt to changes and cope with adversity in our lives.