Health & Wellness: A Time for Reflection

Service above self, is a statement that resonates with all of us, after all, our profession is centered around service to others. At times, the job is thankless, at other times it is quite fulfilling. The hours are long, the calls are unpredictable – some would even go so far to call it organized chaos. BUT…consider this - during the course of a 20-year career, how often do we pause and allow for self-reflection? How often do we stop and take care of ourselves?

As we ring in the new year, collectively, let’s try to make a concerted effort to practice some self-care. In 2023, some will commit to new resolutions, some will even try to reinvent themselves as a way to realize their full potential. Completely reinventing who you are is a bold and transformative decision to make. However, this approach isn’t necessary or even required for most. Some will take a more conservative stance and simply lean into who they are today. Regardless, of the path you choose, remember, it begins with self-awareness and actively assessing your current situation. In short, we must take care of our body, as it’s the only place we have to live.

Source: Graham Medical

PEARLS around EMS Health & Wellness

· Your local EAP (or equivalent offering) is a benefit – help remove the stigma

· You are the greatest asset to your agency

· Keep moving and discover a hobby – it’s good for the soul

· If you are well – your patient care performance is also optimized

· This job is hard – give yourself some grace

· Make up for those lost hours of sleep – it is VITAL

· Stress and trauma can be cumulative – have healthy coping mechanisms

· Resilience is a skill that can be taught – children are phenomenal at this

· Peer to peer support can be powerful, if done right

· Have meaningful social connections outside of “the job”

· Positivity is contagious, spread it around – attitude is everything

January 2, 2023

Author: Joshua Ishmael, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, NRP

Pass with PASS, LLC.