FOR CAREGIVERS
Start addressing your self-care needs by recognizing your basic human needs as Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired (HALT).
Hungry
Have nutritious options and food available.
Angry
Engage in physical activity to deescalate but remember to maintain social distance.
Lonely
Use social media, telephones, text, and video chat to increase human connection when social distancing.
Tired
Do not treat sleep as a luxury and rest when you cannot get the recommended 8 hours.
Letters from the Porch: New Orleans Serenades Its Medical Community
In this web series, musicians and performers offer their gifts in gratitude to the medical community. Artists perform on their porch or on the sidewalk in front of their house either solo or with their accompaniment, maintaining proper social distance. These intimate shows are screened for the medical community inside local hospitals and then released online for the public twice a week.
Finding the Helpers Podcast and Blog from Playing to Live
This blog and podcast bring personal stories of front line staff and families. Diverse guests share their experiences of being on the front line, and in connection with their stories, two expressive art therapists provide art and creative activities that support the challenges the individuals and their families are facing.
The following links provide more resources for first responders, disaster responders, medical professionals, social workers, and other mental health providers.
MORE HELPFUL ADVICE
Accept that you don’t know everything.
Saying “I don’t know” is an acceptable response, and try at times not to be in charge or the “expert.”
Normalize your reactions.
Emotions are valid and can fluctuate between highs and lows. Anticipate that you will experience recurring thoughts or dreams and that they will decrease over time.
Decrease stress by doing things you enjoy.
Although these may be different now, finding something that brings you joy is important.
If you are feeling extreme stress reactions for greater than 2 weeks, participate in formal help.