Just like some batteries, we too, need recharging. It has been a year since the first COVID-19 cases were identified. If we knew we would still be navigating through this pandemic a year later, perhaps we would have paced ourselves more, practiced more self-care, or even celebrated more. For some of us, the pandemic may have stretched our capacity and resilience to the breaking point.
Nancy Hughes, COO and Vice President at Bethany Care Society said early on that, “This will be a ultra marathon, not a sprint.”
If you Google “how to train for a marathon” you can find a lot of advice on how to deal with a pandemic. Here are a few tips
- Don’t get hung up on your finish time. I think we can all relate.
- Hydrate properly beforehand. Wearing PPE for an entire shift. Sweating under a face mask can lead to dehydration and headaches. Stay hydrated before and during your shifts.
- Prepare your mind as well as your body. Focus on Psychological PPE. Practice mindfulness and create space between work and home. Self-care is just as important as physical care.
- Don’t fear walk breaks. Enjoy the moments of calm or normalcy. Don’t fear them, or miss taking advantage of them to recharge.
- Pace yourself. It’s okay to take pause and find quiet in the chaos. Make sleep a priority; it is so important.
- Don’t miss your long runs. Life is not without its challenges, so expecting the good with the bad is part of life’s journey.
- “I loved every mile. Make a joy list. What brings you joy? Celebrate this!
- Know the course in advance. We’ve learnt a lot about this virus over the last year and are wiser for it. You know how to keep yourself safe.
Our emotional battery may be limitless, but it isn’t bottomless. It will deplete to dangerous levels if we aren’t careful. It’s critical for each of us to decompress and recalibrate. By learning to emotionally re-charge, we can get back on track and back to the core of who we are.
Emotional resilience is a crucial part of building a life that is happy and secure. No matter how hard you work to get things right in this life, life is going to challenge you and throw hardships and setbacks in your way. The only way to overcome these difficulties is to get through them with our emotional resilience and strength — a limitless, but not bottomless source of replenishing strength in our lives.For more information, please contact:
Lesley MacKinnon
Manager, Safety
Lesley.Mackinnon@BethanySeniors.com
Or
Site OHS Committee Chair or Representative“We need to keep in mind that the Covid-19 pandemic is an ultra marathon, not a sprint, so we need to ensure we keep everyone healthy and support one another – we are just getting started. These are long and stressful days for all of us and we need to be mindful of this so we can sustain this effort. Resources are available for those who need support and I would encourage you to make use of them.”
– Nancy Hughes, COO and Vice PresidentLifeWorks supports employee health and well-being.
Bethany employees have access to a wide range of resources such as:
- LifeWorks Blog
- Webinars and Events
- 24/7 Specialist Counselling
Link:
Bethanycaresociety.lifeworks.com
username: bcs
Password: eap
Phone: 1-877-207-8833
Phone App: LifeWorks WorkAngelAdditional resources:
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