Healthcare providers face unique mental health challenges.
In the past few years, mental health has become a bigger part of discussions on public health. Mental health-focused providers have been in demand as people shake off the stigma and seek assistance for managing their mental and emotional struggles, navigating issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma.
What happens when a healthcare provider has their own anxiety to manage or is going through a difficult time behind the scenes? Here, three mental wellness experts share what works for them.
Unique mental health challenges faced by healthcare providers
Nutritional Psychiatrist Dr. Uma Naidoo, who shared about her experience managing her own anxiety during breast cancer treatment in her book, This Is Your Brain on Food, says, “For healthcare providers who are constantly on the front lines, I notice that their own self-care routines fall away. This frequently leads to burnout, physical and emotional fatigue and worsening anxiety. This can present as a lack of focus or even a feeling of hopelessness, low mood and anxiety.” When things like break room treats, ultra-processed foods, and sugary drinks become more tempting, “this becomes a rabbit hole of unhealthy choices and then worsens anxiety.”
Ellen Vora, MD, psychiatrist and author of The Anatomy of Anxiety, adds, “Healthcare providers carry a lot of patients' burdens, and their work is uniquely high-stakes. When we're not our best or things don't go well, it impacts [patients’] health, safety and wellbeing. That's a lot of pressure. We also do this work often on insufficient sleep and in stressful environments. I think an underappreciated aspect of what's stressful about being a healthcare provider is that the healthcare industry is so dysfunctional. That translates to everything from inefficiencies and inconveniences in a providers' day, all the way to having to work as part of a toxic environment that can at times feel out of alignment with our greater purpose.”
For those who see patients and clients virtually, boundary-setting can be especially challenging. Alex D’Elia, RD is an integrative and functional dietitian specializing in mental health. She shares, “All my work is virtual so one of the biggest drivers of my anxiety is not knowing when to step away, or when I am truly done with work. I sometimes wake up and immediately hop on the computer. Because the lines of home and work are blurred, I always feel like I should be doing something for one of my clients or for the business as a whole. Another driver of anxiety is absorbing everyone's feelings all day. I love what I do so much, but sometimes I give a lot of energy away and have very little left for myself, so tasks pile up and I feel like I am perpetually behind.”
Healthy eating, hydration, meditation, breath work, and self-compassion are a few helpful tools ... [+]
A few simple tools can make a big difference
Forget the unattainable 10-step self-care routine. Having even just a few non-negotiable tools can make a big difference.
Dr. Naidoo prioritizes nutrition, hydration, and breathing. When stressed, she says, “This is when I pay special attention to making sure my kitchen is stocked with healthy snacks like fruit (clementines and berries), extra dark natural chocolate, plain almonds and walnuts. I also make sure I am drinking enough water and staying hydrated, as dehydration can worsen anxiety. I also find breath work, yoga or a simple breathing exercise to be very helpful, especially when I start to feel my stress is tipping over. I cannot overstate the power of a deep breath to break an anxious moment.”
When it comes to managing her own mental wellbeing, Dr. Vora shares, “I have many practices. I prioritize sleep, I minimize caffeine, alcohol and sugar and I take steps to make sure I stay hydrated and keep my blood sugar stable. I do a clearing practice at the end of the day—this is a quick ritual where I attempt to energetically clear everything I've taken on from that day. I also build plenty of spaciousness, self-care and rest into my schedule to make sure I can show up as my best self for my work.”
D’Elia notes reducing caffeine intake has helped improve her anxiety symptoms and also finds that talking to friends and family and being open about what she needs helps her feel lighter. “I used to hide from people if I was struggling, but now I am very vocal and have learned to trust that I am not ‘less than’ for needing support.” She also makes time for movement, meditation and morning sunshine. “I have also been working on speaking to myself as if I were a friend as opposed to someone who is always getting my way. Allowing myself to not be perfect in every aspect of my life has given me a lot of relief. You can't be everything to everyone. Prioritizing my own well-being has been the biggest game-changer.”
