Welcome to Supporting Each Other in the Quest To Reduce Stress.
This brief learning module was created to help you and your coworkers use open communication to overcome stress together.
You work hard to take care of your residents, even through the many challenges caused by the pandemic.
You face grief, discomfort, and long hours.
Some days are more challenging than others, but when you and your team members can rely on each other for support,
it can lower everyone's stress level.
To understand each other's needs you've got to communicate them.
Open communication can help your team interact with each other,
residents and even friends and family.
With open communication, ideas and information flow back and forth, not just one way.
Also, the process is respectful.
Everyone is comfortable expressing their ideas or sharing their feelings.
That way everyone feels heard.
Open communication includes both verbal and non-verbal cues.
This includes facial expressions and body language.
Observing others' communication cues is important to understanding them
and no two people communicate with words, movement, gestures, and facial cues in the same way.
For example, let's say that the workload between two nursing assistants seems fairly equal,
but if one resident begins to decline and needs more support,
that can quickly increase one person's workload.
It can leave that person feeling exhausted.
In this case, if the nursing assistants talk about this change,
they could work together to try to find a solution.
They could even suggest ideas to their supervisor to help meet residents needs while balancing the work.
Whether there is a pandemic or not,
your work is demanding both physically and emotionally.
Smiling and being friendly when you do not feel that way inside can take a lot of energy.
Feeling overwhelmed is not a weakness,
and there are ways to help you handle these feelings.
Being aware of how you and team members interact with each other can help reduce miscommunication.
Think about how you can use open communication
with your coworkers, residents and leaders.
Talk about stress, anxiety and challenges.
Ask others how they are feeling.
You might find a simple way to support each other,
especially if you are feeling the same way.
You may be able to overcome similar challenges together.
Keep in mind that you're all on the same team and you may be facing similar stressors.
Work together to find a solution
or offer suggestions to improve a situation.
As a caregiver, your skills improve residents lives.
These same skills also can work with your team members.
Now, let's review a few key points
Think about the best answer for each of the following two questions.
What are some features of open communication?
Open communication flows back and forth.
It is not one sided.
It is respectful and allows everyone to feel comfortable sharing.
It includes both verbal and non-verbal cues.
How can you use open communication in your workday?
Some examples include asking your coworkers how they are feeling,
talking to someone you trust when you are feeling stressed
and working together to find solutions to common challenges.
We all face stress in our everyday lives,
but you do not have to face these feelings alone.
Help is available.
Talk to a coworker, leader, manager, family member, or friend
if you have any questions or concerns.
You also may have access to an employee assistance program
that offers confidential support to help with any personal or work related stress.
You've completed this learning module.
We hope you have learned some simple ways to make your work day a little less stressful.
Learn more,
visit the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's website for free tools to help you reduce stress.