How To Cope With COVID-19 As A Healthcare Professional

(Estimated reading time: 4 minutes)

Commonly known as COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2, the Coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc among millions of lives worldwide.

In the recent report as of May 1, COVID-19 has already afflicted more than 3.3 million individuals.

What’s more alarming is the high number of healthcare workers in the Philippines who have contracted the disease. Moreover, DOH confirmed on Monday a total of 1,694 healthcare workers who have been infected by COVID-19, the majority of these are nurses or nursing assistants.

While there are several articles discussing the prevention of the virus, WHO has released COVID-19 advice for the public.

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

To our medical front liners, we thank you for all that you do.

Nevertheless, it’s important to pause from your daily duty or habits and gather your thoughts. Besides, this pandemic can be taxing to your physical and mental health alike.

Having said this, there are ways on how to take care of yourself amidst these uncertain times.

Before anything else, know that it’s normal to feel stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious.

People react differently to stress. Quoted from Mayo Clinic Health System, “Emotions in response to uncertainty may include anxiety, fear, anger, and sadness. You also could feel helpless, discouraged, and, occasionally, out of control. Physical responses may include headache, muscle tension, fatigue, and sleeplessness.”

Here are ways to take care of ourselves so that we can better care for our families and other people, according to the Psychological Association of the Philippines.

1. Focus on what you can control. Uncertain circumstances may cause us to feel worried or stressed. We can influence the outcome, but we cannot steer it. Ruminating (thinking deeply about something and is associated with various negative consequences) takes away our energy. It was proven in a study that going for a walk in nature reduces rumination and gives rise to a positive perspective caused by positive emotions from the distraction.
2. Be cautious of fake news and follow only reputable news resources. Limit your consumption of media coverage and make sure that information is validated. You don’t have to know every single thing all the time.
3. Set routine at home or at work. It can help you arrange priorities and distinguish what’s important and what’s not. It may also link to the first guide because knowing your priorities will help you set up what you can accomplish for this day.
4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Get proper rest and do daily exercise. It doesn’t have to be intensive, but establish a routine such as walking, stretching, or even dancing because it’s important in preserving physical and mental health. Having a burst of healthy laughter despite this pandemic also boosts immunity and fights depression.
5. Make time for your hobbies and the things that you enjoy. Love watching that K-Drama or indulging in that book that you bought months ago? Then by all means, please take some time to relax and enjoy what you love doing. It’s better to take care of the people around you when you have taken care of yourself first. Though it may be difficult to do that these days especially if you have 12-hour duty or even more, if you stretch thin your energy, you won’t be able to carry out tasks efficiently.
   
6. Talk to people you trust and share emotional support in the midst of social distancing. Contact your friends and family. Simple things such as exchanging stories of how your day went may lessen agitation and worries caused by this pandemic.
7. Practice empathy and compassion. We are thankful to all of you, front liners, for your dedication in this battle against COVID-19. You show us the definition of courage.  In our own ways, we will show our compassion with one another and we will fight this pandemic together.

Scientists are working hard to find a cure.

Remember that this is not the end. No matter how things look, God is still in control. He has plans. Always remember God’s promise: 

 “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” JEREMIAH 29:11

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand,” ISAIAH 41:10

You may be experiencing a huge challenge and pressure brought about by this pandemic but always know that there will be an end to all of these soon. Keep on holding on and keep being positive because there will always be light at the end of the tunnel. Keep your focus on your international career goal, continue to study on your NCLEX, or maybe your Abu Dhabi Exam, Dubai Exam, Saudi Exam, Qatar Exam, or Oman healthcare professional licensure examination. If you need hassle-free assistance on the said licensure examinations, click here.