As we continue to provide services to our patients, clients and families, it is so important to ensure that we take the time to take care of ourselves, as well. As COVID-19 has changed our daily lives from what we once knew a short time ago, we have had to quickly adapt to not only a new way of providing services, but how we function in our own day-to-day lives. The increasing number of COVID-19 cases here in Maine, in addition to the holidays approaching this week, it is so important to make our own mental and physical health a priority!
As a reminder to YCCAC’s most valuable asset, YOU, we wanted to remind staff of our resources available to you and your families during this stressful time. Your health and the health of your family, not only physical, but also mental, is so important.
1. From Nasson Health Care’s Behavioral Health Team
Our behavioral health team here at Nasson Health Care understands the significant personal changes most people are experiencing in their lives due to COVID19. The need to make important lifestyle changes has happened suddenly with little time to prepare. As a result, many people’s lives have become significantly more stressful and isolating.
When stress is heightened due to sudden unexpected changes, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Frequently when this occurs, the daily stressors that used to be more manageable are not. High levels of stress can result in mental health symptoms such as racing thoughts, anxiety, depression and mood swings. The physical symptoms that can occur with heightened stress are changes in sleep patterns, appetite, muscular tension and headaches, just to name a few. Eventually, increased stress will impact our overall sense of well-being, as well as our close relationships.
Our behavioral health team here at Nasson Health Care is working to ensure the community has ongoing access to our services during these challenging times. We are available to meet through scheduled phone sessions for behavioral health counseling. Also, if you are an established patient here at Nasson but have not participated in behavioral health services before, feel free to contact us with questions or to schedule an appointment at 207-490-6900.
As part of supporting our community during this time, the behavioral health team will be posting information on our website weekly. The postings will include resources that are intended to support healthy self-care recommendations and coping skills. Below is a resource that is evidenced based and focuses on ways to soothe ourselves that is easy to learn. When used on a daily basis, these tools are helpful in managing some of these stressful symptoms and increasing our overall sense of well-being during these stressful times.
The link provided below is meant to support individuals in managing overall levels of stress. This is not meant to take the place of medical advice by your primary care provider. This link is not for promotional purposes in regards to any advertisement being made on the Heartmath website.
https://www.heartmath.org/resources/
Be well,
From the Nasson Behavioral Health Team
2. YCCAC Employee Assistance Program 100% CONFIDENTIAL
Company Code Login: MMEHT
1-800-647-9151
Our Employee Assistance Program is a great resource for a wide range of services. In addition, they also offer on-line events and webinars, as well as articles, to help cope with stress during this time. The information shared below is directly from the Anthem EAP website Coronavirus link.
The following information is organized into several subsections of further resources. Please follow the links to read more about topics that you may find useful:
Online Events—This page collects the online seminars organized by your employee assistance program (EAP) in response to this pandemic.
Articles on Coping—This page provides links to articles on this website that offer information and may help you cope with stress during this time.
3. Center for Disease Control Website: www.cdc.gov
The CDC website also offers guidance and resources. The links below will provide resources for managing stress, as well as selfcare.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html
https://emergency.cdc.gov/coping/selfcare.asp
Taking Care of Your Emotional Health
It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during and after a disaster. Everyone reacts differently, and your own feelings will change over time. Notice and accept how you feel. Taking care of your emotional health during an emergency will help you think clearly and react to the urgent needs to protect yourself and your family. Self-care during an emergency will help your long-term healing.