There are things you can do to take care of yourself during the covid-19 pandemic, says Fiona Day<\/p>\n
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Being human means living with high levels of uncertainty, ambiguity, and not knowing. We experience periods of relative calm and stasis, and periods of disruption, whether a \u201cbig bang\u201d or a \u201crising tide.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are many things we can\u2019t control or plan for in life, however it is possible to live skilfully with uncertainty and change, and also to grow our capacity for self care. This requires a conscious commitment to gaining insight into what is really happening, both inside ourselves and in the world around us.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Doctors and healthcare workers are at the frontline of the health impacts of covid-19. The infrastructure to respond to the pandemic varies around the world: the more challenged the infrastructure, the greater the risk of occupational exposure to hazards including infection and mental health. Most doctors also have caring roles outside of the occupational context which need to be balanced with their professional roles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are two evidence-based tools<\/span> based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) applied to a non-clinical content which you can use to support yourself in the coming months:<\/span><\/p>\n Connect with your values<\/strong><\/p>\n Who are you at your core and what do you want to stand for in the face of this situation? Your values are like a compass which you freely and consciously choose to set the course of your life; they give you meaning, purpose, and direction. You may have values for your work life and values for your personal life \u2013 or they may be the same.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n