Self-Care

Clarissa Chan, PharmD

On the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists have been stretched thin while caring for patients in their communities. According to new research from the health and wellness company Pharmavite, increased demands on pharmacists’ workload have caused higher-than-normal stress levels. All of this has meant pharmacists have less time to care for themselves, putting strains on their own health and well-being.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Ben, PharmD, a busy chain retail pharmacist in Wisconsin who wished to remain anonymous, was called to action. “I felt invigorated to do great work, help my patients stay home, reduce trips to the pharmacy, and aid in the effort to ‘flatten the curve’ to hopefully reduce the death toll,” he said. Appreciation and positivity from Ben’s community helped him build a sense of purpose.

“If I felt myself rushing, or getting stressed, I would take a deep breath, unclench my jaw, lower my shoulders, and wiggle my toes to feel more connected to the earth,” said Ben. “While doing this I would ask myself a question that became a type of a mantra to me: ‘Who do you work for?’ And answer silently, ‘I work for the patient.’”

Ben felt like he was doing everything he could to help keep people healthy. But after a few months, he said he no longer felt like a “hero.”

Despite health care workers risking everything to help those in need, the general public largely ignored the widespread health threat of COVID-19.

Taking charge

Ben knew that burnout was imminent and that he had to do something for his well-being. “I was performing poorly at work, gaining weight, and starting to take out my frustrations on my wife and kids,” he said. Ben said that he was previously an optimist and a source of positivity for everyone around him. “I wasn’t liking the person I was becoming,” he said.

To combat burnout, he made changes to create habits in his life to “spark joy.” “I ventured outdoors to find peace and quiet, brought my small children to the park almost every day, went for jogs, did yard work, etc.,” said Ben. Still, he knew that he had to do more. He planned something big to look forward to.

Ben planned a trip to the Colorado Rockies to hunt elk in the mountains with a good friend. The anticipation and focus on the exercise required to prepare for the trip helped Ben reduce stress at work and become a better husband and father at home. The attention required to prepare for a fun, demanding, and safe hunting trip served as a distraction and helped him concentrate on positive thoughts and avoid negativity. His mindset was key.

Small changes make a big difference

Michele Harris, PharmD, a pharmacy manager at Walgreens Pharmacy in Wilmington, VT, realized that eating granola bars would not be enough to fuel long days and even longer weeks, so she began making changes to her eating habits.

“I got the idea to make a portable salad,” said Harris. “I discovered I could purchase wraps and add handfuls of cheese, chicken strips, lettuce, cucumber, and other vegetables to make a healthy ‘walking salad.’” If people cannot find time to buy groceries and cook, Harris advises “don’t be afraid to support local restaurants for takeout; there are plenty of healthy options to select from while supporting local eateries in their effort to stay in business.”

She also took better care of herself by keeping routine appointments with her doctors and dentist. “When blood work results from my routine check-up showed that I had low vitamin D levels, I wasn’t surprised,” said Harris. She now makes sure to take her vitamin D supplement every day and also takes supplemental vitamin C to boost her immune system. Additionally, even if it is only for 15 minutes, she prioritizes her heart health by getting out for a walk in the fresh air every day.

Harris’ advice for better self-care is to find ways to eat healthier, take vitamins, and reach out and ask for help. “I needed additional childcare during the pandemic and was relieved to find that others needed to work, so it was a win-win situation for both of us,” she said.

By prioritizing their well-being, both Ben and Harris helped keep their patients safe.

Ben’s tips for self-care and reducing burnout

• Take care of your body (food, sleep, exercise).
• Engage in a hobby, either alone or with friends.
• Plan something to look forward to in the near future
• Be mindful of how you talk to yourself about your job.
• If necessary, look for change.