Healthcare workers can be workaholics. As a healthcare worker, you are probably working long hours and dealing with a lot of stress. Stress can be caused by a lack of time, long hours, and insufficient sleep. If you don’t know how to take care of yourself then your mental health will suffer because of your job.
In this article, we will look at some ways that you can take better care of yourself so that you can remain healthy while doing your job as a healthcare worker.
Create a Relaxing Environment
The Oasis should be a quiet and private space. This is where healthcare workers can relax, refresh, and re-energize during their shifts. It’s also a place for them to connect with family members and loved ones through video conferencing technology.
A comfortable chair in the Oasis is essential for healthcare workers who have been on their feet all day or have worked shifts that require standing for long periods. Consider adding a footrest for additional comfort and support as well as small side tables to hold beverages or food items. The lighting needs to be soothing but bright enough so that they can see each other clearly when using video conferencing technology.
Give Employees a Place to Decompress
Offering an oasis for your healthcare workers is a great way to show you care about their well-being. You might consider:
- A place for them to relax after long shifts
- A massage therapist on staff, massage chairs, or a discount at a local spa, so employees can get massages as needed and hopefully not all at once
- A manicurist who comes in regularly and offers manicures, pedicures, and other nail services for free or reduced-price or even just discounts
Providing Professionals a Break
Providing professionals a break is critical to the success of the shift and will improve morale and safety. Healthcare workers are required to take breaks every four hours or less according to OSHA regulations, but many times do not because of busy schedules and unrealistic expectations from management.
It can be difficult for employees to remember how important rest is when they feel tired or sleepy, so managers must work with them on creating adequate time off their feet.
It’s also important that breaks are not seen as an inconvenience by those who take them because it could lead to stress while working at high levels of concentration, which can lead to mistakes. To avoid this from happening you should provide incentives such as free snacks or drinks so that taking breaks doesn’t feel like extra work with no benefits!
Make It Comfortable
When you’re stressed, tired, or sick it can be hard to focus. You may be tempted to slump in a chair with your feet up on the desk, but this can cause problems with your posture that will only worsen as the day goes on. Make sure your chair is comfortable and supportive of your lower back so you can sit up straight.
Consider getting an ergonomic chair if needed. They are generally more expensive than standard office chairs but worth it if they make working at a computer easier for you.
Make sure the temperature in the room is neither too warm nor too cold. You should be able to take off any extra layers without feeling uncomfortable or being chilled, but don’t let yourself get overheated either. It also helps if there is enough light without having to turn on overhead lights all day long. A simple lamp will do just fine here!
Create a Spa-Like Atmosphere
Create a spa-like atmosphere if possible. The following elements can help your patients relax.
Color Scheme
A soothing color palette will create an environment that’s pleasing to the eye and easy on the senses. Pick colors that represent relaxation, like blue and green, as opposed to red or orange.
Lighting
Natural lighting is always preferable, but you may need to supplement it with artificial sources if natural light isn’t available in your oasis area. Think about what kind of lighting works best for the space you have available—soft overhead lights might be ideal while reading lamps would give guests more control over their individual experience.
Scent
Incorporate scents into your design plan that are relaxing and calming, like lavender or jasmine perfume oils or candles. Make sure these are non-toxic! You can also add aromatherapy by burning essential oils such as eucalyptus or mint in small bowls throughout the room. Just make sure these aren’t too strong so they don’t overpower other fragrances!
Smells should complement each other instead of competing against one another. Think about combining citrusy notes from lemongrass with woodsy undertones from cedar wood chips placed inside vases containing fresh flowers near doorways where people walk through often.
Create an Inviting Well-Being Snack Area
- Provide healthy snacks and drinks.
- Make sure they have water bottles and encourage them to drink from them throughout the day.
- Keep healthy snacks available at all times so your employees can grab something when they’re hungry or thirsty.
Uplifting Messages
Motivate your employees with uplifting messages and ideas from management. Give them positive feedback when they do something well.
Reward them for their hard work with a gift card, gift, or fun activity. For example, you can ask your employees to vote on the best idea for an end-of-year party, then offer the winner an extra day off at the end of 2016! Or perhaps you could plan a team-building activity like paintballing together?
There are small things you can do to provide healthcare workers with a healthy, flexible environment that promotes wellness for both patients and providers.