Anger/Frustration

Through the COVID-19 pandemic, workplaces have changed for everyone.  Within the RACF environment, there are people working from home, people now working in only one RACF instead of many, work clothes now may consist of gowns, and we all wear masks. We as a workforce have changed so that we can create the barrier to the COVID-19 and reduce the risk of transmission.  The impact on us as a workforce however could mean that we experience emotions that at times can be distressing.  

We may experience emotions from anger to frustration as it may be our way of expressing or responding to a range of other feelings for example stress. The stress may be because of the extra steps that are now required for a simple task to be completed.  How our workplace has changed may have an impact that has increased our feelings of anger and frustration. An important fact to consider however, is if you feel that your anger is increasing and it is now moving to an action of aggression or violence, it is important that you seek support.

Anger and the workplace can have consequences if your anger is having an impact on others. While this is an extraordinary time and workplace legislation still applies, it is important that this pandemic does not define who you are as a member of a workforce. 

As well as managing the different emotions that you are experiencing we are also being challenged in other areas such as the relationship between own morals or values and the choices we have had to make as part of reducing the risk of exposure to others within the RACF.  We may experience an internal battle between providing care to our residents and then measuring that against keeping our families / loved ones safe from the COVID-19.  We may be challenged on a deeply personal level such as with our morals which have shaped how we provide care.  For example, we are suddenly asked to limit our human touch in order to avoid increased risk of transmission.   As health care providers, we see human touch as a vital part of how we provide care, whether it is showering a resident, helping a resident with a cup of tea or holding a resident’s hand when they are distressed.  

We are being challenged in many areas and our current work environment and this is requiring us to move in different directions.  While the work environment is currently asking us to keep changing, it is important that we learn new ways to adapt and seek support. 

For more information and resources, please review the toggle on the right  =>

Most of us spend our working hours caring for others but are we taking the time to care for ourselves?

Self care starts with you

Do you plan your time at home or does it feel like there’s not enough time in a day?

Do you find yourself not actively engaging in activities after work because you just want to relax?

Planning enjoyment can lift our mood, provide us with routine, help us plan, feel prepared, and overall more productive in our daily lives. Its not about scheduling every part of a day, its about keeping things simple. Stop and think for a minute about what puts a smile on your face…What reduces your stress?

If your not sure where to start, keep it simple and try different activities until you find one that sticks:

• Cook something new
• Touch base with a friend
• Create, dance or listen to music

Fueling the tank and feeling physically charged

Choosing food and activity for good health is a great way to:

• Feel better mentally – This can include mood, concentration, information retention, and overall performance.
• Reduce physical health problems that can arise from poor diet or low activity (due to low energy).
• Get help sooner – The healthier you are the more likely you are to identify problems in your health before they become debilitating. The earlier any physically or mental illness is identified, the easier it usually is to improve or treat.
• Take control of your life, and routine so that you can spend more time and energy on the things you enjoy!

Eating for your health is not just about avoiding unhealthy food groups, its also about the way we consume food and the habits we form. You can complete the ‘Are you eating for health?’ quiz in the Australian Dietary Guidelines Summary to find out where you sit.

Similarly, there are a number of online calculators for nutrition that can guide you to the right of this section ⇒

Quick Tips:

• Eat regularly as a spontaneous or unstructured eating patterns can result in poor eating choices which can affect your mood and energy levels
• Eat breakfast to kick start your day & plan your meals
• Eat with people not while watching tv as it is more difficult to respond to our body’s signals (hunger & satiety)
• Remember small changes can make a big difference! Try reducing or removing things that may disrupt your positive habits around food and exercise, but not too quickly.
• Share care and information with those in your support network. This could mean discussing/working on a new fitness plan with a friend, cooking new healthier meals at home with your children or monitoring your progress with your health professional.

Sleep and Mindfulness

Sleep disturbance commonly involves difficulty getting to sleep with or without early morning waking (usually around 3am) followed by a restless night thereafter. To restore a pattern of normal sleep, it is important to practice sleep-promoting behaviours during the day, in the evening, at bedtime and during the night. It is important to remember that adults are no different to children, we also need wind down routines. Consider how you put your ‘inner child’ to bed… Are your habits and actions sleep promoting or disruptive behaviour?

If your experiencing sleep disturbance, it may be worth considering your patterns more closely using the sleep diary found in Downloadable Resources ⇒

Have you ever tried completing mindful breathing exercises, guided meditations or calming sounds as you prepare to sleep?

Try some of the available audio files on the right to see if this works for you!