The focus of Unit 8 is stress management.

Learning Objective: By the end of this unit, you will be able to recognize stressors in your work environment, understand the impact of stress on health and performance and apply effective strategies to manage stress.

“Stress is a physical, mental or emotional response to external pressures, which can be acute or chronic. Healthcare workers are experiencing high stress and burnout, at rates up to 70%, hindering patient care.”¹

Healthcare workers face numerous stressors, including emotional challenges such as dealing with suffering, death and compassion fatigue from caring for very ill patients. The physical demands of the job, such as lifting patients and exposure to infectious diseases, also contribute to stress. Time pressure arises from urgent care needs and multitasking. Emotional labour is required to manage patient expectations and resolve conflicts. A lack of staff and support, along with a disruptive work environment, further heighten stress. The responsibility of decision-making, fear of legal consequences, and the strain of working with limited resources can add to anxiety. Healthcare professionals also struggle with work-life balance and personal sacrifices.

Unmanaged stress can lead to burnout, poor decision-making, reduced patient care quality and personal health problems.

Pause for Thought

Emotional labour in healthcare is about managing your own emotions while navigating the complex emotional landscape of patients, families and colleagues. Consider how often healthcare workers are required to suppress their feelings or mask their stress to maintain a calm, compassionate demeanour.

How might this constant emotional regulation impact their well-being in the long run? What can be done to support them in balancing their emotional needs with their professional roles? What should healthcare institutions provide to achieve this?

Signs of Stress

Physical: Fatigue, headaches, stomach issues, muscle tension, increased heart rate.

Mental: Anxiety, irritability, trouble concentrating, feeling overwhelmed.

Emotional: Mood swings, frustration, feelings of helplessness or hopelessness.

Impact of Stress on Performance

Reduced focus and concentration.

Increased likelihood of mistakes.

Emotional exhaustion and detachment from patients or colleagues.

1. Immediate Stress Relief Techniques
2. Breathing Exercises

Try deep breathing exercises to calm your nervous system.

Example: 4-7-8 Breathing – Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds.

2. Mindfulness

Take short mindfulness breaks during your shift to stay present.

Example: Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and focus on your current surroundings.

3. Physical Movement:

A quick walk or stretching can release tension and improve focus.

1. Long-Term Stress Management Strategies
2. Time Management:

Prioritize tasks, set realistic goals and take breaks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

2. Build a Support Network:

Lean on colleagues, supervisors, or mentors for emotional support.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed and offer help to others.

3. Develop Healthy Habits:

Regular exercise, proper nutrition and sufficient sleep can boost resilience to stress.

4. Set Boundaries:

Establish personal boundaries to prevent burnout, such as limiting overtime and taking time off when needed.

1. Emotional Self-Care
2. Practice Compassion:

Understand that healthcare work is emotionally demanding. Be kind to yourself and others. Take time to reflect on positive moments and patient successes.

2. Seek Professional Support:

If stress becomes overwhelming, consider talking to a counsellor or utilizing employee assistance programs offered by your healthcare institution.

Example scenarios

Scenario 1: Handling an Overwhelming Shift

You’re feeling overwhelmed due to a heavy patient load and long shift hours.

Action: Take a quick break to do deep breathing exercises and set realistic priorities for the remaining tasks. Reach out to a colleague for support or assistance.

Scenario 2: Emotional Fatigue from Patient Care

A difficult patient case has left you emotionally drained.

Action: Acknowledge your feelings, practice self-compassion, and talk with a colleague or supervisor about your experience. Afterward, take a few minutes for mindfulness or a walk to reset emotionally.

Key Takeaways

• Stress is common in healthcare, affecting up to 70% of workers and impacting patient care.
• Main stressors: Emotional challenges, physical demands, time pressure, emotional labour and work-life imbalance.
• Recognizing stress: Symptoms include fatigue, anxiety, irritability and emotional exhaustion.
• Immediate relief: Techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness and physical movement.
• Long-term management: Time management, support networks, healthy habits and setting boundaries.
• Emotional self-care: Practice compassion, reflect on positive moments, and seek professional support.
• Practical application: Use stress relief strategies and seek help in challenging situations to manage stress effectively.

Next Steps

• Do the exercises.
• Watch illustrative video accompanying Simulation 8.
• Participate in Role-play Simulation 8.
• Share reflections and key takeaways during debrief.

1. Rink L.C et al.,”Stressors Among Healthcare Workers: A Summative Content Analysis”, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov