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If you’re a pharmacist or pharmacy student, you are about to experience the most stressful flu season our profession has likely ever faced. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a heightened awareness of our role in preventing the severity and spread of disease. It’s a good thing that patients are taking an active role in protecting their health—and along with that comes an increased demand on your pharmacy team.
According to a recent survey, more than 60% of U.S. adults plan to get a flu vaccine this year. Just like your patients are taking steps to improve their body’s response if exposed to the flu, you should be taking steps to prepare yourself for the busy time ahead. More pharmacy flu shots require more energy and focus from the whole pharmacy team.
The habits you develop now will help you to prioritize self-care and your own mental health from now through the end of cold and flu season. Taking simple daily actions to optimize your mental state will prepare you to provide the best care possible for your patients.
RELATED: SingleCare data shows early surge in flu shot demand
3 self-care tips to manage pharmacy stress
Here are three ways to develop healthy habits and prepare for the 2020-2021 flu season complicated by COVID-19, or “twindemic” as some are dubbing it:
1. Get a move on.
There’s no question that physical fitness is good for you—the benefits are innumerable and backed by decades of research. The real question is: How can you make it happen when you’re faced with the high-stress and low free time in the pharmacy? Rather than add more to your plate, get resourceful with what you already have: steps.
Consider implementing a step challenge in your pharmacy to engage your team in something they’re already doing daily—walking! A little friendly competition, along with a celebration for reaching your step goal, can have profound effects on your team morale and engagement.
An added bonus? It can also boost customer service and productivity as your team members volunteer to walk patients to products and restock the pharmacy with supplies as they try to rack up more steps. Consider starting a recognition program for wins of the week or month to “step up” the fitness in your pharmacy.
RELATED: How to help your overworked pharmacist
2. Make time for meditation.
There is no question that stress is part of the pharmacy job, which can lead to heightened levels of anxiety and pharmacist burnout. Meditation can be an asset to your mental health. One app to consider is Headspace. They are offering free access to healthcare professionals in response to the global pandemic. Taking a quick break to breathe before starting your day, after work, or even on your lunch break can shrink your mental mountain back into a molehill.
3. Prioritize a healthy diet.
You’ve heard the old adage: You are what you eat. So why not make healthy options easy and available? You can certainly meal prep with strategies that are realistic for pharmacist life. But you may also consider encouraging your team to share a healthy “grab ‘n go” option with your staff. Taking turns bringing in nutritious snacks will help create conversations around healthy habits, and even open your mind to healthy choices you may not have considered. Be mindful of food allergies and company policy with where to offer or keep food.
RELATED: How pharmacists can stay healthy at work
These are just a few suggestions for how to implement self-care in your pharmacy practice so that you can vaccinate yourself against the heightened stress levels this flu season will bring. Have other ideas? Please join and share them with us in the SingleCare pharmacy group, Pharmacy Phorum.
