Providing Support Across the System
By Elissa Bass
During COVID, it became clear that the job-related stress caregivers were feeling needed to be addressed within the workplace. Without that happening, burnout and quitting rates would skyrocket.
Folks needed help
That comforting philosophy remains in the post-COVID world. Sarah Jones, Hartford HealthCare manager of wellbeing, organizes debriefings and other support for colleagues who have been through critical incidents or other situations that add stress to their work day. These can range from mass casualty incidents to patient deaths to the passing of a beloved colleague.
“During COVID, colleagues were struggling with everything that was happening,” explains Jones, a licensed clinical social worker with 15 years’ experience. The HHC Well-Being Department was established during that period, headed by Jennifer Ferrand, PsyD. The mandate was to continue providing support across the system.
What her department does now, Jones says, is “reach out, proactively asking, ‘What can we do to support you in a way that feels helpful?’”
Since its establishment, a manager or leader will sometimes reach out and ask for help with a team that is struggling.
“Sometimes they just need support,” Jones says. “What we’re doing is giving people the opportunity and permission to think about how they are feeling. It can be from burnout, it can be from witnessing something horrific. The purpose is still the same. There’s no expectation that we will ‘fix’ something. The goal is to make sure colleagues feel less alone and hopefully breathe a little easier by the end of it.”
Even before COVID, stressors in healthcare were on the rise. Patients were growing more aggressive, critical incidents becoming more common, violence making its way inside hospital walls.
“The pandemic just sped all that up,” Jones says. “It made it unavoidable to make sure colleagues felt safe and could talk, that it’s OK to feel the way they were feeling, to normalize being human and having those conversations at work.”
Often healthcare workers grapple with stress, depression or anxiety because, Jones explains, “They think, ‘These horrific things are not actually happening to me, so I don’t need or deserve to have these feelings or get support with these feelings.’ We want them to know their feelings are valid and meaningful.”
The Well-Being team specializes in providing support and guidance, connecting individuals, leaders and teams to resources.
To learn more or request support for you or your teams, email wellbeing@hhchealth.org
4 Good for Sure
Tips From the Health NewsHub
By Leah Vichas
A quad of snacks perfect for your daily cravings
If putting together a satisfying lunch before work seems like an impossible task every morning, you’re not alone. But could packing healthy – and delicious – work snacks be easier than it sounds?
Here are four options to consider for your next bag lunch from Cassandra Vigue, RDN, a Hartford HealthCare registered dietitian.
Pass the Peas, Please
Looking for a treat that’s low in fat and high in protein? Roasted chickpeas are a great place to start. For best results, skip storebought options and try roasting chickpeas yourself.
“Because of the high protein, chickpeas will keep you feeling full throughout the day,” Vigue says. “And with a low glycemic index and high fiber, they can help keep your blood sugar stable.”
Simply rinse and dry canned chickpeas with a paper towel, drizzle with olive oil, add your favorite spices and bake.
The Parfait Way
Parfaits are a perfect morning work snack option, especially if you don’t have time for breakfast at home. These delicious treats are easy to customize for flavor and health benefits.
If you’re looking for extra protein and lower sugar, Greek yogurt makes a great parfait base.
Keep an eye on the toppings though – store bought parfaits often include sugary ingredients like chocolate chips and granola.
Instead, opt for:
- Fresh fruit
- Honey
- Chia seeds
- Applesauce
- Unsalted roasted nuts
Rice is Nice
“With only 35 calories, one plain, brown rice cake offers a delicious alternative to white bread or crackers,” Vigue says.
Popular toppings include:
- Peanut butter and fruit preserves
- Hummus and everything but the bagel seasoning
- One quarter of an avocado with lemon
- Banana and honey
- Greek yogurt and fruit
“Trying to add more fiber to your snack? Many of the same toppings pair just as well with apple slices, celery or bell pepper,” Vigue notes.
Hit the Trail (Mix)
Don’t feel like waking up early to prepare anything before work? This convenient snack might be the solution.
Homemade trail mix offers a balanced mix of fiber, healthy fats and protein, and is easy to prepare in advance,” Vigue says.
In your blend, try including:
- Your favorite unsalted roasted nuts
- Sugar-free chocolate chips
- Freeze-dried fruit
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Unsweetened coconut flakes
“Just remember to keep an eye on serving sizes, Vigue adds. One serving of trail mix is roughly a quarter cup.”