Alcohol Consumption and COVID-19–Related Stress Among Health Care Workers: The Need for Continued Stress-Management Interventions

Objectives: Although a known association exists between stress and alcohol consumption among health care workers (HCWs), it is not known how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected this association. We assessed pandemic work-related stress and alcohol consumption of HCWs. Methods: We emailed a cross-sectional, anonymous survey in June 2020 to approximately 550 HCWs at an academic hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. HCWs from all departments were eligible to complete the survey. Questions measured work-related stress and emotional reactions to the pandemic (using the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [MERS-CoV] Staff Questionnaire), depressive symptoms (using the Patient Health Questionnaire–9 [PHQ-9]), coping habits (using the Brief COPE scale), and pre–COVID-19 (March 2020) and current (June 2020) alcohol consumption. We measured alcohol consumption using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Consumption (AUDIT–C), with scores >3 considered positive. We asked 4 open-ended questions for in-depth analysis. Results: One-hundred two HCWs participated in the survey. The average AUDIT–C scores for current and pre–COVID-19 alcohol consumption were 3.1 and 2.8, respectively. The level of current alcohol consumption was associated with avoidant coping (r = 0.46, P < .001). Relative increases in alcohol consumption from March to June 2020 were positively associated with PHQ-9 score and greater emotional reactions to the pandemic. Availability of mental health services was ranked second to last among desired supports. Qualitative data demonstrated high levels of work-related stress from potential exposure to COVID-19 and job instability, as well as social isolation and negative effects of the pandemic on their work environment. Conclusions: Ongoing prevention-based interventions that emphasize stress management rather than mental or behavioral health conditions are needed.

Assessment and homoeopathic management of psychological stresses and somatic illnesses in high school students from rural Palghar: Observational case series

Objectives: Children are often taken to paediatricians for recurrent physical illnesses, which often cannot be diagnosed due to a lack of confirmed investigation findings. It is important to study various psychological stressors they might be undergoing to explain such somatic complaints. Understanding the types of somatic symptoms and nature of stressors in school-going children would also enable us to use Homoeopathy in managing these cases. This is all the more important in a rural set-up, where specialist consultation is difficult to obtain. Material and Methods: Six successfully treated children from three rural high schools in Palghar area with recurrent and different somatic illnesses were selected from a part of a larger population studied. These cases have been presented with an aim to study the clinical manifestations and underlying stressors. Management with Homoeopathic medicines along with the use of some stress management skills have been presented. Results: Various life situations such as change of school, staying away from parents or interaction patterns of family members were found to have a direct impact on the genesis of either anxiety or anger. As a result, children developed recurrent somatic illnesses, which in turn affected their academic performance. Homoeopathy, along with stress management skills, helped the children to overcome the psychological stresses and reduce the burden of somatic illnesses. Conclusion: The external environment is often the same for all students in schools, but a vulnerable few are affected. This results in the development of anxieties, specifically of strangers, of the future, of teachers, or of losing parents; this in turn causes insecurity.

Worker Saturation in Facing Changes in the Work Environment: The Physiological Impact of Online Jobs

This article discuss about worker saturation in facing changes in the work environment in the physiological impact of online jobs. During the Covid-19 epidemic, social segregation was implemented, and employees worked from home (WFH) via online platform. Some workers get saturation in facing the situation. A process that makes individuals feel ill, uneasy, or anxious as a result of their employment, workplace, or work circumstance. The capacity to adapt to and appreciate current circumstances transforms stress from distress to eustress. Effective stress management tactics include regular exercise, setting aside time for relaxation and self-care, balancing work and pleasure, and practicing time management and meditation

A pilot randomized controlled trial of the shogi-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy (S-CBT) preventive stress management program

Background Shogi is a traditional board game in Japan. A preventive stress management program based on Shogi-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy (S-CBT) was applied in the Japanese municipality of Kakogawa City. The study aimed to develop an S-CBT preventive stress management program for the elderly and determine its efficacy. Methods The participants were 67 elderly men with amateur-level Shogi skills. They were randomly assigned to either the S-CBT group (n = 33) or the waiting-list control group (n = 34). The S-CBT program was conducted over six 90-min sessions. The outcome measures were recorded using K6 instrument, the Japanese version of the abbreviated Lubben Social Network Scale, five items on cognitive behavioral functioning, and subjective well-being scale. Results and conclusions The dropout rates of the S-CBT group and waiting-list control groups were 36.4 and 44.1%, respectively. Effect sizes (Cohen’s d) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for each group. Domains that changed immediately after the S-CBT intervention were problem-solving skills, self-reinforcement, and negative automatic thoughts. Future research should promote mental and physical health through the design of intervention programs using familiar materials. Trial registration University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN CTR) UMIN000036003.

Pelatihan Manajemen Stress Kepada Penderita Penyakit Kronis di Desa Warisa

ABSTRAK Penyakit kronis yang telah diderita selama bertahun-tahun dapat mengganggu pada semua aspek kehidupan penderitanya seperti masalah finansial, Karir, gangguan peran, termasuk masalah psikososial, akibatnya, penderita penyakit kronis seringkali juga mengalami stress kronis yang selanjutnya dapat memperburuk penyakit dan menurunkan kualitas hidup penderitanya. Di Desa Warisa didapatkan jumlah penderita penyakit kronis sebanyak 83 Orang hanya dari 3 jaga (lingkungan). Tujuan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat ini adalah untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan dan kemampuan penderita penyakit kronis di Desa Warisa terkait manajemen stress melalui kegiatan pelatihan. Kegiatan ini dilakukan dengan memberikan penyuluhan terkait manajamen stress yang baik dilanjutkan dengan pelatihan manajemen stress dengan relaksasi napas dalam dan relaksasi otot progresif. Kegiatan ini diikuti oleh 29 peserta termasuk 2 kader dan dari hasil evaluasi didapatkan peningkatan pengetahuan peserta sebesar 22.4% yaitu sebelum penyuluhan (63%) dan setelah penyuluhan (85.4%). Dari hasil observasi juga didapatkan sebagian besar peserta mampu melakukan kembali gerakan latihan relaksasi otot progresif secara mandiri namun, ada 5 Peserta yang belum mampu melakukan gerakan latihan secara mandiri yang kemudian diberikan pendampingan lanjutan. Hasil dari kegiatan ini diharapkan dapat menjadi dasar pembentukan program kesehatan jiwa di puskesmas khususnya terkait pelayanan psikososial bagi penderita penyakit kronis. Kata Kunci: Manajemen stress, Penyakit kronis, Relaksasi otot progresif ABSTRACT Chronic illness that has been suffered for years can interfere with all aspects of people with chronic illness such as financial problems, career, role performance, and psychosocial aspects. as a result, People who suffer from chronic diseases often experience chronic stress that worsens disease severity and reduces the quality of life. In Warisa Village, there were 83 people who were identified with chronic diseases from only 3 hamlets. The purpose of this Community Service was to increase the knowledge and ability of People with chronic disease in Warisa Village regarding stress management through training. This activity was carried out by delivering health education related to positive stress management followed by stress management training with deep breathing relaxation and Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). This activity was attended by 29 participants including 2 Cadres and from the evaluation process, it was found that the participants' knowledge increased by 22.4% in which before counseling (63%) and after counseling (85.4%). From the observations, it was also found that most of the participants were able to perform PMR independently, however, there were 5 participants who had not been able to perform PMR independently and were then given further assistance. The results of this activity are expected to be the first step to developing mental health programs in Community Health Centers, especially related to psychosocial services for people with chronic diseases. Keywords: Stress management, Chronic illness, Progressive Muscle Relaxation

The Cranio-Sacral Approach for Defining Embodied “Coherence”

The premise of this book is that applying principles of electromagnetic (EM) resonant coherence to the media field is the key to generating a more harmonious culture. The advent of new types of sensors, quite affordable and increasingly sensitive, now provides an easy way to measure frequencies and rhythms of the body and to create applications that visualize brain waves and waves extracted from cardiac parameters. The term “coherence” used in physics defines the correlations of a wave system. More recently, this term has been used increasingly to define an inner state of “centering” and harmony that presents as relaxation, stress management, deep meditation, and state of transcendent bliss. The craniosacral approach provides important information on how that can be achieved.