Questão 1419073

Frontline workers and COVID-19

Going to work during this COVID-19 pandemic has placed frontline workers under immense and unprecedented pressure. Exposure to excessive stress, for prolonged periods, can have many harmful consequences on the emotional and mental well-being of frontline workers. It can: lead to burnout syndrome; trigger common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); result in unhealthy behaviours, like the frequent use of tobacco, alcohol or other substances; result in frequent absence from work or reduced productivity while at work.

While many of the efforts to reduce stress and care for frontline workers must be made by organizations, managers and health administrators, frontline workers can also take the following actions to cope with stress.

1. Identify which things are within your control, and which challenges you have no control over.
2. Stay connected.
3. Exchange support with trusted colleagues at work, as many may be having similar experiences.
4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle: healthy diet and exercises.
5. Rest during any downtime at work and get enough sleep between shifts.
6. Avoid using tobacco, alcohol or other substances.
7. Practice techniques like breathing exercises, relaxation, meditation.
8. Know your limits.
9. Seek help from a health professional if your feelings of distress persist and it becomes difficult to cope with your daily activities at work or at home. This could be your doctor or a psychiatrist or therapist.

Adapted from: http://www.emro.who.int/mnh/news/ frontline-workers-and-covid-19-coping-with-stress.html. Access: 10 Jan 2020.

Glossary: frontline workers: profissionais da “linha de frente”; harmful: prejudiciais, danosas; well-being: bem-estar; lead to: levar a; burnout syndrome: estafa; trigger: desengatilhar; trusted: confiáveis; breathing: respiração; seek: procure.

Some of the suggestions for frontline workers to cope with stress are: