Well-being is a familiar term to most. It refers to a state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy, a trifecta. Whether you specialize in speech, occupational, physical therapy, or mental health, you see varied levels of well-being every day in your clients. It’s why most of you chose your jobs in the first place, to help patients achieve a better condition of life.
While you may have signed on to improve the welfare of others, it’s wise not to lose sight of your well-being and that of the company. Have you thought about what the well-being of your company looks like, or how you and your team effect the prosperity of the business? Have you thought about how the well-being of each person you work with influences the overall well-being of your corporation?
Many large companies, including Apple, Google, Johnson & Johnson, Exxon-Mobile, GM, GE, AT&T, CVS, and Verizon, have all realized how important and valuable their employees’ well-being is. You are more likely to get the amount of productivity and quality of patient care you desire if your daily operations are run by people who are happy, healthy, and committed versus individuals who are miserable, distracted, and resentful. That’s a mantra, no matter how small or big a company can get behind.
Let’s look at what patient-centric business owners and their support staff experience on a given day. It may include everything from setting yourself up for failure when hiring new therapists, staffing transitions, patient cancellations, coronavirus, physical outbursts, bathroom mishaps, building/mechanical failures, or any number of technical issues. Any of these standard occurrences can make it feel as though the office operates in a constant state of chaos, even if that’s not the case. This affects both the physical and mental health of the team member. And, unfortunately, many times, pain or mental anguish from a patient’s domestic situation is the source of stress.
When team members don’t reset after chaotic events, stress levels in the office will continue to rise and, even over just a short amount of time, will have adverse health effects on those who continue to work in the environment which is why it’s important to use every opportunity to celebrate and come together as a team and company. Medical and scientific communities have come to realize that living with your Sympathetic Nervous System in full swing all the time has negative effects on a number of the systems in our body, affecting our overall well-being. When an individual remains in a state of stress, messages are sent to shut down certain bodily functions to prepare the body for what is known as fight or flight mode.
When the prefrontal cortex works appropriately, individuals are equipped and biologically capable of making significantly better decisions. The body can do things like properly digest breakfast or lunch or make sure there’s enough energy to get through the day. These are the employees you want making important decisions for your client and your company, so, for these and a list of other reasons, it’s essential to trigger the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS).
When we engage our PNS, we activate the release of chemicals that will relax the mind and remove tension from the body. It’s in this state that higher cognitive functioning will resume. The mind will become convinced the perceived threat has been eliminated and allow our other systems to come back online. Now, the heart rate will slow, digestion will resume, the endocrine glands will get a bit of a break, and the immune system will kick back in. These are the staff members who’ll be able to stay calm and see the bigger picture, enabling them to make much better decisions for all parties involved- including patients.
While all of that may sound good in theory, is it achievable? Yes! This is why we are excited to share some techniques, strategies, and services you can quickly implement. Be sure to read the following blog to learn exactly how you can help your staff take a peaceful pause and improve their well-being, and, remember; the example is set from the top down. Make sure you and your leadership team are ready to show your level of commitment by prioritizing your well-being.