Refreshment
For the Soul Gives Caregivers Some “ME TIME”
Care
givers at my work place, enjoyed a time of stillness on August 7 & 8 at the
“Refreshment for the Soul,” event, a time of reflection, refreshment and debridement
provided for by the office of the chaplain( The author) to give nurses,
physicians, technicians and other health-care personnel some respite during hectic
shift. The aim of Refreshment for the soul is to provide these caregivers time
to decompress and relieve stress that may build up when caring for seriously
ill patients.
Health care providers need these opportunities to better care for
themselves. It is noticeable that nurses,
doctors technicians house keepers, monitor techs, among others, spend so much
time directly working with increasingly sick patients, as well as their
families, they may feel sad, helpless and out of control. The office of the Chaplain brought the Refreshment
for the Soul to the unit to advocate and recognize the good work by the staff
and of course to provided time to debrief and relax.
The
refreshment for the soul in this case is a stress-reducing technique that helps
the staff in their daily work routines. Self-Care relaxation skills and
developing social skills helps the staff care for themselves and that is where Refreshment
for the Soul comes in.
In the nurses lounge room a tray of assorted cookies, fruits, candies
and fresh fruit plates were ready for clinical staff. Relaxing music played
softly in the background a relaxing signature.
As staff members began to arrive on their “ME TIME”, the chaplain
welcomed them.
Nurses
shared their stories, not just with the chaplains, but with each other. Some
just relaxed.
The
Refreshment for the Soul is a tradition in the making the current Spiritual
Care office wants to bring to the hospitals Units to care for the hard working
staff. The chaplain will put on Refreshment for the Soul once a quarter in each
of hospital units, which means all are all invited to relax and know that we recognize
the each team member play. The next session will take place on a date be
announced after consultations.
Refreshment for the Soul has no better advocates than the staff
themselves.
