The well-being of healthcare professionals often takes a backseat to patient care. However, maintaining one’s own physical, mental, and emotional health is crucial for delivering quality care to patients.
Kidada Hawkins, the Market Chief Operating Officer for Tenet Healthcare Corporation, is a respected healthcare leader known for his commitment to organizational culture and team engagement. He hails from Auburndale, Florida, and has a reputation for turning around facilities facing financial decline and improving community perceptions. Kidada’s remarkable achievements include reducing serious safety events, lowering turnover rates, and enhancing inpatient satisfaction rates. In today’s article, he shares some essential self-care tips tailored for healthcare professionals.
Prioritize Physical Health
Healthcare professionals often work long hours, making it challenging to find time for physical exercise. However, regular exercise is essential for maintaining good health and reducing stress. Kidada Hawkins emphasizes the importance of incorporating physical activity into your daily routine, even if it’s just a short walk during your break or some stretching exercises between patient consultations.
Practice Mindfulness and Stress-Reduction Techniques
The high-pressure environment of healthcare can lead to burnout and mental exhaustion. To combat this, try practicing mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga. These practices can help healthcare professionals stay focused, calm, and resilient in the face of challenging situations.
Establish a Supportive Network
Building a strong support network is crucial for maintaining mental and emotional well-being. Kidada Hawkins believes in the power of collaboration and team engagement within healthcare organizations. By fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment, healthcare professionals can share their experiences, seek advice, and offer encouragement to one another. Through this, Kidada has been able to protect his team’s emotional state, reminding them of why they chose to work in healthcare.
Set Boundaries and Learn to Delegate
As a healthcare professional, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the demands of the job. Kidada Hawkins stresses the importance of setting boundaries and learning to delegate tasks effectively. Recognize your limits, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed. Delegating tasks to team members not only lightens your workload but also empowers your colleagues to take on more responsibilities and grow professionally.
Take Time for Yourself
Last but not least, don’t forget to prioritize self-care and take time for yourself outside of work. One must understand the importance of work-life balance. Healthcare professionals should encourage both themselves and their team to engage in activities they enjoy, spend time with loved ones, and recharge their batteries regularly.
Self-care is not a luxury but a necessity for healthcare professionals. As Kidada Hawkins’ career has shown, effective leadership and a strong organizational culture are key to driving positive change and helping teams realize their full potential. By following these self-care tips, healthcare professionals can emulate Kidada’s success and create a healthier, happier work environment for themselves and their colleagues.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
