Published on 8 April 2022
Do you know when to put on your own oxygen mask?
We are so often watchful and supportive of those around us that sometimes we can forget to check in on ourselves.
But leadership and resilience experts advise us that we can’t take care of business, until we first take care of ourselves.
So how do you know when it is time to reach for your oxygen mask?
Signs of stress can be evident in our emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioural responses. Are you feeling irritable, or withdrawn? Do you notice more headaches, fatigue or pain and tension? Are you having trouble remembering things? Zoning in and out? Or having negative thoughts? Are you seeking relief by shopping, or looking for escapes? It might be time for you to reach for your oxygen mask.
We know a healthy mind is a grateful mind, and you can’t feel stressed and grateful at the same time.
We also know that self-awareness precedes change, so please check in with yourself. Ask yourself ‘what is my self-care deposit today?’
Find more self-care tips on the Westerly.
New Western Health and Deakin University research sheds light on the negative impact of the pandemic on the wellbeing of healthcare workers over time.
The study of more than 1,000 Western Health staff found the second wave of the pandemic took its toll on hospital clinicians’ mental health, driving up rates of depression, anxiety and stress.
How carers sought care
“We were building the plane, while flying it,” Kirsty Barnes, Divisional Director of the Chronic and Complex Care Team says, as she reflects on the team’s experience during the most recent wave of COVID-19 and how important it was to seek care for staff.
“As leaders we were all hands-on deck to support the staff each day. As the pressure on the teams increased and we knew how hard everyone was working, we knew we couldn’t do it all ourselves.
“It is great to know that you can get extra help when you need it, and that the help is customised to meet our needs.”
Barbeques are back with a bang!
More than 1800 staff took some time out to socialise and connect with their colleagues last month at BBQs across all Western Health sites. Thank you to everyone that made the time to attend. It was great to be reminded of the camaraderie that makes Western Health such a great place to work and how we can all contribute towards building community and social connections.
Easter eggstravaganza
Staff enjoyed free freshly baked hot cross buns, kindly donated by Bakers Delight and milk chocolate Easter Eggs from our friends at Chocolatier.
Winners are grinners
To mark the United Nations International Day of Happiness on Sunday March 20, the Wellbeing team ran a competition inviting employees to share what makes them happy at work. We had some great entries; in fact they were so good we couldn’t choose an overall winner!
Instead, we handed out a range of prizes, including: lunch vouchers, skincare packs, scrubs and money so the teams could buy something joyful to enjoy.
The winners were: 2A, 3 East, CCU Footscray, Williamstown Theatre, ICU Sunshine, Disability Liaison Team, Allied Health Bacchus Marsh, SNAP and ACAS Footscray.
The team at Williamstown Theatre (pictured left) won some fun scrubs.
Kind regards,
Suellen Bruce
On behalf of the Executive Team