Wellness COVID Huddle Card
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April 16
Straight from the KP.org website, this story about an ICU nurse enveloping the sickest patients in her loving concern: Mohini Chand, RN, an intensive care unit nurse on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, has been fighting the outbreak since its arrival in late January at the Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center. Santa Clara County is one of the hardest hit areas in the San Francisco Bay Area. Although Chand understands it’s a stressful time, she wants people to know it’s going to be OK and not to feel scared. “Patients without underlying conditions are getting better,” said Chand, who has personally treated several COVID-19 patients. “Some are going to be released from the hospital. I’m hopeful. This is a glass-half-full situation.” Working in the ICU, Chand treats people who are in critical condition and whose fears are heightened. In addition to excellent medical care, she provides emotional support and eases their worries. “I whisper in my patients’ ears, ‘I got you. I’m here for you. You are not alone,”’ she said. “Every day I encourage them and say, ‘Things are looking better, and slowly and steadily we will win this race.”’ |
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April 14
Virtual Workshop: Managing Stress, Anxiety and Grief
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 22, 12-12:45p
Location: Microsoft Teams
During these times of uncertainty, knowing how to manage your stress, anxiety, and grief can be tough. Attend this virtual workshop to learn healthy ways to handle loss and compassion fatigue. To register, click the following link: Virtual Workshop: Managing Stress, Anxiety and Grief Registration
April 8
At the epicenter of a storm, it is always calm. Find that center, your center. That’s where you will find strength. - AVIS Viswanathan
COVID-19 presents new challenges for everyone. We’re facing unique personal and professional challenges within the context of this rapidly shifting landscape. Fears of contamination, extended shifts, physical barriers to self-care such wearing full body PPE are all barriers to staying sane. Click the link below for the entire article: Staying Sane and Current on COVID-19: Advice and resources, by specialty, for those caring for patients
TL;DR (internet acronym for Too Long, Didn’t Read). Below is a short summary of the article mentioned above.
During this crisis careful attention is needed around self-care, stress management, and wellness practices to best ensure continued health and performance.
1. Take stock in yourself.
2. Stabilize yourself with good health behaviors.
3. Observe your stress level.
4. Identify your emotions.
5. Employ stress reduction techniques.
6. Have compassion for yourself and others.
7. Stay socially connected.
8. Find personal space in isolation.
9. Set a timer and limit your access to the news.
10. Gratitude and positivity.
April 3
“There’s a part in all medical students: We feel like we just want to help.” - Audrey Tran
Medical and dentistry students at Oregon Health & Science University and nursing students at the University of Portland are offering to watch children, run errands and go grocery shopping, free of charge, while their classes are suspended. The assistance program is open to all health care workers in the Portland area. For more information call: 503-383-9776.
Portland-area healthcare workers can request free childcare, other support from local medical and nursing students
April 1
"Telling our story does not merely document who we are, it helps to make us who we are." - Rita Charon
Written emotional disclosure (WED) is an evidence-based approach in which individuals write about their thoughts and feelings regarding an experience. Research has consistently shown that WED is associated with a number of psychological and physical health benefits as well as reducing the effects of PTSD. Written Emotional Disclosure
March 30
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
The known benefits of practicing gratitude are nearly endless but is it realistic during times of great uncertainty? How can we focus on being grateful during a global pandemic, when PPE is in short supply, or when we’re not allowed to leave our homes? But, now, more than ever, is a time to revive practicing gratitude. An increase in positive emotions and empathy, reduction in aggression, better sleep, and even strengthening your immune system all come as a result of practicing gratitude.
External Gratitude Examples:
March 28
Fred Rogers often told this story about when he was a boy and would see scary things on the news: “My mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.”
Inherent cognitive bias makes us focus on the stressful and negative aspects of a situation. We need to balance out this predisposition by training our brain to also look for the positive. No matter where you sit on the spectrum that spans from cynic to optimist, you will be more settled and function better if you cultivate the habit of looking for the positive and focus on the helpers. During these times of uncertainty, look for sources of inspiration to assist in focusing on the positive.
Virtual Workshop: Managing Stress, Anxiety and Grief
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 22, 12-12:45p
Location: Microsoft Teams
During these times of uncertainty, knowing how to manage your stress, anxiety, and grief can be tough. Attend this virtual workshop to learn healthy ways to handle loss and compassion fatigue. To register, click the following link: Virtual Workshop: Managing Stress, Anxiety and Grief Registration
April 8
At the epicenter of a storm, it is always calm. Find that center, your center. That’s where you will find strength. - AVIS Viswanathan
COVID-19 presents new challenges for everyone. We’re facing unique personal and professional challenges within the context of this rapidly shifting landscape. Fears of contamination, extended shifts, physical barriers to self-care such wearing full body PPE are all barriers to staying sane. Click the link below for the entire article: Staying Sane and Current on COVID-19: Advice and resources, by specialty, for those caring for patients
TL;DR (internet acronym for Too Long, Didn’t Read). Below is a short summary of the article mentioned above.
During this crisis careful attention is needed around self-care, stress management, and wellness practices to best ensure continued health and performance.
1. Take stock in yourself.
2. Stabilize yourself with good health behaviors.
3. Observe your stress level.
4. Identify your emotions.
5. Employ stress reduction techniques.
6. Have compassion for yourself and others.
7. Stay socially connected.
8. Find personal space in isolation.
9. Set a timer and limit your access to the news.
10. Gratitude and positivity.
April 3
“There’s a part in all medical students: We feel like we just want to help.” - Audrey Tran
Medical and dentistry students at Oregon Health & Science University and nursing students at the University of Portland are offering to watch children, run errands and go grocery shopping, free of charge, while their classes are suspended. The assistance program is open to all health care workers in the Portland area. For more information call: 503-383-9776.
Portland-area healthcare workers can request free childcare, other support from local medical and nursing students
April 1
"Telling our story does not merely document who we are, it helps to make us who we are." - Rita Charon
Written emotional disclosure (WED) is an evidence-based approach in which individuals write about their thoughts and feelings regarding an experience. Research has consistently shown that WED is associated with a number of psychological and physical health benefits as well as reducing the effects of PTSD. Written Emotional Disclosure
March 30
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
The known benefits of practicing gratitude are nearly endless but is it realistic during times of great uncertainty? How can we focus on being grateful during a global pandemic, when PPE is in short supply, or when we’re not allowed to leave our homes? But, now, more than ever, is a time to revive practicing gratitude. An increase in positive emotions and empathy, reduction in aggression, better sleep, and even strengthening your immune system all come as a result of practicing gratitude.
External Gratitude Examples:
- Appreciation for a colleague? Post it on the Kudos Wall
- Take 5 minutes to hand write a thank you card. It doesn’t have to be on a fancy overpriced card, it's the words and appreciation that matter
- Start every meeting/huddle with gratitude
- Silent gratitude
- Start a gratitude journal
- Books on gratitude such as Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier or Gratitude Works! A 21-Day Program for Creating Emotional Prosperity. Both books written by Bob Emmons
March 28
Fred Rogers often told this story about when he was a boy and would see scary things on the news: “My mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.”
Inherent cognitive bias makes us focus on the stressful and negative aspects of a situation. We need to balance out this predisposition by training our brain to also look for the positive. No matter where you sit on the spectrum that spans from cynic to optimist, you will be more settled and function better if you cultivate the habit of looking for the positive and focus on the helpers. During these times of uncertainty, look for sources of inspiration to assist in focusing on the positive.
