LEAFLET FOR UPLOAD

We Care Preamble Stress and its Symptoms for your Well-Being Healthcare organisations are continuously being It is vital for an individual to become aware of challenged. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID- stress and its symptoms. Stress is an emotion “Self-care is not 19) pandemic was an unprecedented challenge. experienced by individuals who, when subjected selfish. You cannot Research confirms that the virus posed additional to diverse situations perceived as impinging serve others from stressors on healthcare workers (Diacono et al., 2022). excessive strain on their abilities or resources, During this trying time, healthcare professionals feel an inadequacy to cope (Mental Health an empty vessel.” Foundation, 2021). Work-related stress became more vulnerable to distress secondary to an originating from obligations imposed by the work- Eleanor Brownn increased workload, use of personal protective place, such as increased pressures on equipment (PPEs), fears of contagion to both healthcare workers, due to the global pandemic, Human Resources Section themselves and their families, and frequently changing burden the employee making him/her feel that Healthcare Department protocols (Walton et al., 2020). This consequently his /her abilities are not sufficient (Garrick et al., affected people’s physical and mental health, and their 2018). Problems arise when stress is either work-life balance (Kinman et al., 2020). Moreover, experienced too frequently, when it is perceived healthcare workers may have become prone to to be excessive or when prolonged (Mental increased symptoms of insomnia, anxiety and Health Foundation, 2021). In such cases, the depression (Giovina et al., 2022). individual may become overwhelmed and feel The aim of this Department is to help promote a good unable to regain control. Such chronic stress is work-life balance to its employees. Studies show that harmful and may be the cause of physical health a good work-life balance helps mitigate stress and deterioration (Despreaux et al., 2017). Chronic burn-out (Gill et al., 2018). stress also impacts on behaviour causing This information leaflet is designed to help support changes to sleep patterns, moods and health workers in effectively managing stressful personality traits. situations and maintaining a good work-life balance. Moreover, it percusses on the individual’s mental health, wherein studies have linked stress to anxiety, anger, fear, low self-esteem, depression and suicidal intention (Edwards et al., 2007). Stress also tampers with the individual’s job performance; with relationships formed at the workplace and with the person’s lifestyle (Despreaux et al., 2017). Consequently, the need to cope with stress becomes imperative. Coping with Stress: Take Care of the Self and Gain Control When coping with stress, an individual embarks on a journey that draws on personal resources necessitating an adaptation of behavior and of cognitive perceptions (Baloglu, 2008).

For this reason, it becomes necessary to take Seek and Avail yourselves of Support Employees may additionally apply for remote care of the self. This can be done in various given by the Department working for a limited time period (Kinman et al., ways. 2020). WHO (2020) affirms that a healthy working Research has shown that people with a healthy environment is one in which the workplace adopts An open door policy adopted by the department state of physical well-being are more likely to a holistic approach to the welfare of the individual helps foster transparent communication channels deal successfully with stressful situations. where the physical, social, emotional, and mental with and amongst employees. All members of the (Giovina et al., 2022). For this reason, plan your well-being of the employee are addressed. department are encouraged to voice concerns and energy intake around healthy snacks and provide feedback (Walton et al., 2020). nutritious meals. Make time for exercise and All employees within the department have the participate in regular fitness classes and opportunity to further their education by attending Counselling services allow workers to cope with coaching sessions. There are a number of training courses even when these occur during emotional challenges (Gray et al., 2019). training centres that have long opening hours to working hours. These courses will help employees Departmental employees may attend counselling accommodate workers with various working time expand their knowledge and enhance their skills sessions provided by the department itself and given schedules (Welle & Graf, 2011). (Ayyala et al., 2022). by qualified professionals. These services are offered free of charge to all employees. Nurture your mental and emotional health. Set Inter-departmental meetings are organised on a Confidentiality will be respected at all times. boundaries between work and personal life. regular basis. These help facilitate collaboration Haslam and Sanders claim that work life and and sharing of knowledge, which will in turn Conclusion family life are “related, bidirectional constructs” promote professional growth and improve where conflict within any of the constructs will teamwork (Gray et al., 2019). Your personal well-being is the foundation of your impinge on the other, resulting in changes in success (Jobe, 2014). Working within the Health behaviour, strain, performance and, at times, Employees may make use of on-site childcare Department presents challenges to employees burnout. It is thus crucial to strike a suitable facilities at subsidised prices. These childcare (Koinis et al., 2015). The Covid-19 pandemic has balance between professional and personal services are reliable and provide quality care to exacerbated this situation. Apart from an increased lives (Haslam & Sanders, 2013). Prioritise children of employees (Vaughn et al., 2020). work load, healthcare workers have faced increased assignments according to urgency and Parents may also avail themselves of maternity, “fatigue, strain, stress” (NIOSH, 2022). importance (Drnovsek, 2010). Divide work paternity and parental leave. This department aims to mitigate these stressors, to commitments into smaller manageable tasks help provide support so as to allow physical and and set realistic deadlines. Develop your own While employees are duty-bound to work the set professional growth. This will not only improve unique coping strategies. Such strategies vary number of hours stipulated by the working overall work quality and productivity but also because they are interrelated with the agreement, flexitime helps the individuals to enhance job quality, job satisfaction, patient individual’s physiological and psychological accommodate their unique personal and familial satisfaction and personal well-being (Walton et al., state of being (Béla et al., 2016). responsibilities and obligations (Jobe, 2014). 2022). Individuals who take care of their own selves, are more likely to gain control over their own lives and to deal successfully with stressful situations (Baloglu, 2008).