While one person can relax with a cool beer in the countryside, another can relax with rock music on his racing bike. What is obvious when relaxing is also true when it comes to stress: the respective influences have different effects on people. What is stressful for one person does not necessarily apply to another. That’s why a person can only prevent stress if he or she takes an individual approach.
Professionals in nursing homes are exposed to various influences that can potentially cause stress. According to a survey, more than 60 percent of geriatric and nursing home workers have three or more psychosomatic complaints. This testifies to the fact that stimuli at work have a negative impact on the well-being of caregivers. Some practical tips for stress prevention should help identify the roots of the problem and prevent stress:
Recognize stressors
Acute stress manifests itself at different levels; on the one hand physiologically, as adrenaline increases or headaches occur in those affected, but also psychologically, for example in the form of anger or tension. The long-term consequences are more serious and can lead to psychosomatic illnesses, depression or burnout.
But how does it get this far?
Non-specific stimuli – so-called stressors – trigger the stress response. A common stressor in elder care is work overload. Those who have to accomplish too many tasks in too short a time are overwhelmed and stressed. There are many other stressors, such as physical exertion or interpersonal conflicts, that have a negative impact. In everyday life, it is often an interplay of many small stimuli. Becoming aware of what specifically irritates you is the first step in preventing stress. The following questions can help regarding stress prevention:
– When do I tend to feel overloaded in everyday life?
– What tasks at work make me feel tense?
– What robs me of a disproportionate amount of energy?
Set and communicate boundaries
Once it is known what causes stress and how it affects them, professionals can take preventative action. It is important to clearly communicate – especially to supervisors – when the workload is too heavy or what factors are causing stress. Ultimately, employers have a duty to prevent work-related health hazards and occupational illnesses. In nursing homes, for example, reliable duty rosters or optimized work distribution can help.
If nurses notice that tasks are too physically demanding, they should talk to their PDL about it: Ideally, practical solutions can be found, such as a new division of labor or the purchase of supportive equipment. There are also trainings on resilience and self-care that enable nurses to communicate more clearly and cope better with demands. The background is the transactional stress model. It states that stress indicates the insufficient evaluation of one’s own resources in relation to a stressor. The goal is to strengthen one’s own resources or to counteract the stressor. Ideally, we combine both approaches.
Prevent triggers
Some stimuli that cause stress, such as heat or hunger, can be easily remedied. The affected person can take off his jacket or eat something. It becomes more difficult when it comes to stimuli that cannot be influenced at all or only with difficulty. For example, no one can cause residents to always behave calmly and with understanding. However, if caregivers know that they are stressed under time pressure, they could schedule more time for certain tasks from the start. That way, they avoid the trigger.
Strengthen own resources
If there is no compensation and a caregiver is constantly overstressed, burnout can occur. For this reason, the transactional model attributes an important role to one’s own resources.
After an exhausting morning in the nursing home, a ten-minute walk in the garden can give new energy; after an exhausting visit to a resident, a short phone call with a best friend can serve as a counterbalance. In private, stress prevention means getting enough sleep and following a healthy diet, for example. This influences overall well-being and builds resilience to stress at work. Relaxation methods, cognitive therapies, self-management and other health-promoting measures also contribute to a preventive mindset.
Health weeks
Some social institutions also offer their employees health weeks. These take place in selected health resorts and are dedicated to company health management. In addition to yoga and relaxation courses, they also offer therapeutic discussion groups, Nordic walking and nutrition seminars. Employees only need to take leave to attend the health week, and their stay, including board and lodging, is paid for by their employer. So it’s worth asking!
