Take a deep breath... regroup... push forward

Take a deep breath, regroup, and push forward

It’s been about 2 months since our world as we knew it was rocked by a pandemic that has been sobering to say the least. My thoughts and prayers go out to those negatively impacted. After receiving an e-mail from my organization regarding the uncertainty of the year ahead, I thought this would be a great time to rally the troops. You are only as strong as your team. There is no need to beat yourself up about a situation that is out of your control. The bruises are not a good look on you. My “mama” always said, the one thing that can never be taken from you is your education. Whether you’re starting your career or are well established, you possess knowledge and skills that are intangible.  

In with the good.  Out with the bad
Sometimes your day just needs one deep breath to kickstart the release of any negative energy you’re harboring. 

Go ahead. Do it. 

Make it as awkward as possible. 

Take a DEEP BREATH IN, IN, IN, IN and then a deep breath out. 

If that was your practice round, feel free to show me the real thing this time around. I want to challenge you to try starting and ending your day with a purposeful deep breath. 


“Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.” – Henry Van Dyke

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Preserve your identity
This is your test. Can you pull it together? In this moment, we all have a unique set of circumstances and an opportunity to be better versions of ourselves. If you’re following this and you’ve thrived under pressure before, let your light shine. As a healthcare practitioner, now is the time to prepare yourself for your role in this pandemic, both in the short and long term. How can your training up to this point prepare you for a new wave of impairments related to this pandemic? Why wait for someone else to figure it out for you? How would your approach to treatment of a patient affected by COVID-19 differ based on acuity? What special considerations can you implement for a patient with an underlying neurological condition? Chronic orthopedic conditions? History of cardiac disease? History of cancer?

Be selfish
Let’s be clear. You cannot advocate for any person or group without first learning how to advocate for yourself. 

“The strongest oak of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It’s the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for its existence against the wind and rains and the scorching sun.” – Napoleon Hill

 
With the loss of physical touch, your identity as a physical therapist may feel as if it’s been stripped from you, no pun intended. However, you can find other avenues of fulfilling this void by finding purpose in your days similar to your typical routine. If you’ve been given a different task within your organization, use this as a chance to learn a new skill or another aspect of your company. You’d be surprised how the relationships you build find a way to come full circle. You can’t sit back and expect your leaders to hold your hand--they have their own slew of problems they’re managing. Your patients are just that, your patients.