To the Public Health Workers on the Front Lines of the Coronavirus Crisis (thriveglobal.com)

For all the uncertainty wrought by the coronavirus, one thing is certain: across the country, every day and night, our frontline healthcare workers are navigating the challenges of this moment with courage and compassion. As many of us are being asked to serve the public health by stepping back — staying home, sheltering in place, and otherwise minimizing our contact with the outside world — you are stepping forward. You — nurses, doctors, EMTs, hospice workers, community health workers, social workers, military reservists and so many more — have become America’s first responders in the fight against coronavirus. 

As this crisis continues to unfold, it’s essential for those on the front lines to commit to taking care of themselves. Quite simply, you will be more effective, more resilient and have more of an impact when you take proactive steps to manage your stress and recharge your body and mind. In other professional settings, the results of these steps are measured in outcomes like productivity and engagement. In yours, it is measured in lives saved. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration advises first responders to take a range of steps to avoid burnout. It emphasizes the importance of taking regular breaks and limiting time spent in high-intensity settings. SAMHSA also highlights proactive, or upstream, steps you can take to ensure you’re as effective when you’re called on in an emergency: reducing physical tension through exercise, healthy eating, getting enough sleep and making time for relationships with those outside your profession.

We understand: nobody becomes a first responder because they want to take more breaks. But in order to truly rise to meet the challenge of this moment, our frontline healthcare workers need to make a mindset shift: when you take any small step to bolster your own well-being, think of it not just as an investment in yourself, but in your ability to make a difference in the lives of others. 

To read more of Michelle A. Williams and Arianna Huffington's article,  please click here.