Nurse stresses the need for better self-care

Reducing stress and taking better care of oneself, both physically and mentally, are recommendations a local nurse is giving to Barbadians.

Co-ordinator of the Sandy Lane Hotel’s Annual Health and Financial Fair, Hotel Nurse Keren Francis, says in the midst of a fast-paced and hectic lifestyle, Barbadians must strive to take care of their physical health, especially if they already have a non-communicable disease and they should not overlook the role stress can play in reducing their mental wellness as well.

Her comments came as she spoke with The Barbados Advocate during a break from the Health Fair, held at the hotel recently. She pointed out that the close to 800 staff members at the hotel are often encouraged to visit with the hotel nurse to share any concerns they have, even as they get their various health checks, as a means of relieving stress and ensuring mental wellness.

“We talk a lot about mental health and it is important for our staff to feel that they can come and they can share. Sometimes it is not only about getting your blood pressure checked or your blood sugar checked, it is about sometimes coming to just share because you may have a problem and you may just want to talk about it,” she explained.

“We also talk about diet and exercise, being consistent in taking medications, not using too much sugar if you are diabetic. These things are important. We also encourage persons to cut out the things that stress them out and to find time for relaxation,” she added.

“You must find time for relaxation. Some of us take home work and we are constantly on the go. We are home but still studying that I have to do this, I have to do that. We are home lying down in our beds and we are trying to go to sleep, but we have everything still on our minds. We don’t relax and it causes our stress levels to increase and our blood pressure levels as well to go up because as they say, it is the silent killer – stress. So your mental health is important of
your overall well-being. Hence the need to take care or your physical and mental health,” Francis commented. (RSM)