If there ever was a time when HR professionals were called upon to be all things to all people – COVID-19 is the time. Are you taking care of yourself or everyone else in your organization? In addition, many of you are likely also juggling childcare and homeschooling. Where do you fit in? Taking care of yourself prepares you to be the best leader you can be. Leaders need to learn how to cope with stress and how to reduce it in the workplace. Without proper self-care and stress management, the chances of burnout among HR professionals are high. Caring for yourself may include nurturing your emotional well-being, getting better sleep, and eating healthy.
These days stress happens each and every day and comes in a wide variety of forms. We all know about how bad it is for our mind and body. It can lead to physical symptoms as well as mood problems such as anxiety or sadness. Stress can also have serious impact on your brain – stress exacerbates mental illnesses, changes brain’s structure, kills brain cells, shrinks the brain, and negatively affects memory.
HR can help employees reduce their stress by having open conversations, running team building events, prioritizing mental health, developing a culture of support, offering access to financial and legal advice, keeping remote employees engaged and emotionally healthy.
Everyone has to adjust to the new, uncertain reality COVID-19 brought to us in a way that goes beyond job stress. Recently many employees are working from home with spouses, partners, roommates, or kids in the same space. A good routine, a smart workspace setup and healthy boundaries can make working from home smoother and more productive.
Self Care is very important
Self-care strategies are good for your mental and physical health and can help you take charge of your life. Take care of your body and your mind and connect with others to benefit your mental health.
Be mindful about your physical health:
- Get enough sleep.
- Participate in regular physical activity.
- Eat healthy
- Limit screen time.
- Relax and recharge
Take care of your mind:
- Keep your regular routine.
- Limit exposure to news media.
- Focus on positive thoughts
- Engage in positive spiritual activities.
- Set priorities
Connect with others
- Make connections.
- Do something for others.
- Support family members and friends.
Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to the demands of life. Everyone reacts differently to difficult situations, and it’s normal to feel stress and worry during a crisis. But multiple challenges daily, such as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, can push you beyond your ability to cope.
Many people may have mental health concerns, such as symptoms of anxiety and depression during this time. And feelings may change over time.
It’s very important to know that it is OK to ask for help. We should remain optimistic stay informed by using reliable sources, focus on what we can do and accept the things we can’t control.
Stress won’t disappear from our life when the health crisis of COVID-19 ends. Continue these self-care practices to take care of mental health and increase ability to cope with life’s ongoing challenges.
