By: Chaplain David Alexander Ph.D., D.Min.
Pandemic responses are often morally and spiritually exhausting for healthcare workers, who face a wide variety of both predictable and unpredictable pressures. The effects of these pressures vary. Some are external, including financial losses, changes in housing, and personal illness or injury. These aren’t always seen or appreciated by society. Some are internal, including changes in self-concept, identity, calling, and connectedness to other people (or to God or a Higher Power). It isn’t unusual for healthcare workers under these pressures to experience a change in how they make meaning about work, their administrators, their patients, and the public. This can disrupt both personal and professional life.
That doesn’t mean these workers are disordered, or that these changes can’t have both neutral and positive effects occurring alongside the negative. And it’s possible to strengthen the spirit even while responding.
The number one thing caregivers can do for other caregivers is to say “you are not alone.” ~ A. Dane
3 spirit-strengthening messages for healthcare workers in this crisis
The people you are caring for have a multiplicity of needs, and it’s impossible for you or for any one worker (or any one service) to address all of them. Please be aware. The immensity of the task is likely to make you expect heroic achievements from yourself. Remember: This is not your own personal struggle. You and colleagues around the world are involved in it together. See if you can explore ways of being together with colleagues even when time seems so short. Sharing achievements, reactions, frustrations, and hopes will strength your spirit.
This crisis will bring about changes in such a way that many things won’t be the same again. These changes aren’t going to be entirely positive or entirely negative, and they will take place at many levels: personal, familial, organizational, and societal. Healthcare workers are the first in our society to feel the full weight of the changes brought on by health crises. That can make anyone begin to feel unappreciated or alone—so please take care to place your experiences in the widest context possible.
Every healthcare worker feels inadequate at times and can experience moments of despair. Value what you are doing, however small. It’s helpful to look around: Most likely you are the best person available to take on the task you’re performing. Despite the pressures you are under, do not forget that you still have many choices, present in each moment. Do not neglect your various needs as a human being. You can often attend to them by enjoying simple and mundane things. And last, don’t forget to look for small miracles happening all around you!
About the Author
Chaplain David Alexander is Chaplain at the Uniformed Services University and a Commander in the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps. Chaplain Alexander is also an Assistant Professor of Military & Emergency Medicine and the Research Program Manager for Spiritual Fitness at the Consortium for Health and Military Performance.
* The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of USUHS or DoD. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. Mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. The author has no financial interests or relationships to disclose.
