Page 19 - ANZCP Gazette-August-Booklet

Many people benefit from practices such as deep breathing, tai chi, yoga, meditation or being in nature. Set aside time for yourself. Get a massage, soak in a bubble bath, dance, and listen to music, watch a comedy – whatever helps you relax.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help you manage stress. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and get enough sleep. Make a conscious effort to spend less time in front of a screen – television, tablet, computer and phone – and more time relaxing.
Stress won't disappear from your life. And stress management needs to be ongoing. But by paying attention to what causes your stress, and practicing ways to relax, you can counter some of the bad effects of stress and increase your ability to cope with challenges.
Dr Epstein encouraged us all to look at and download the app ‘Headspace’ – one easy way to help with the stresses of our working (and home life). It is a mediation and mindfulness app. One comment she made in this presentation regarding this app had stuck with me ‘... we clean our teeth daily, to take care of our teeth, we should look after our brain similarly, with mediation and mindfulness daily’. She also mentioned that we should all
think of 10 things each day that makes us happy. We may think this is a difficult task, when we work long hours often in very stressful environments, but if we do think about it, there are small things that we can find that fit that criteria, and this small task can improve our mindfulness and relieve stress.
So let’s all try to think of ways to minimize our stress, and look after ourselves.
References and Resources:
1. Healthy lifestyles, stress management (2020, March 21). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/ basics/stress-basics/hlv-20049495.
2. Pfefferbaum B, North CS. (2020). Mental Health and the Covid-19 Pandemic. New England Journal of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1056/ NEJMp2008017.
3. Brooks SK, Webster RK, Smith LE, et al. (2020). The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence. Lancet, 395:912-920.
4. headspace.com [app available for app stores for mobile phones and tablets]. 5. www.Beyondblue.org.au [for mental health support].
31st ANNUAL ELSO CONFERENCE
September 25-26, 2020 Registration opens July 25, 2020
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, ELSO made a difficult but necessary decision to change the format of the 31st Annual Conference to virtual that will occur on September 25-26, 2020.
We will be offering a robust scientific program, including plenary sessions, COVID-19 focused talks, specialty breakouts, heart, lung and hemodynamic labs, and much more. Registrants will be able to participate in live sessions as well as have access to the content after the meeting.