Mother’s Day is right around the corner! Our mothers do so much for us throughout our lives and often ask very little, if anything, in return. They are strong, powerful, loving, and compassionate. We know we can count on them in moments of joy and sorrow, as they are always there for us. Mothers deserve to be celebrated and appreciated year-round, so let’s do our best to show the mothers in our lives how much we care this Mother’s Day and beyond! HRI will be sharing a series of tips and quotes throughout the next week, as we get ready for Mother’s Day.
Essential workers all over the world are facing the dangers of this virus head-on, and we do not yet know the emotional and physical repercussions that essential workers will face as a result of this pandemic.
While the uncertainty about the future is stressful and scary to us all, the most powerful thing we can do for one another and for essential workers is to just be there and to stay connected with one another during this time. This HRI blog post offers tips on how to stay connected during the pandemic, but at the core of being there for one another is to just be present and provide a listening ear. These tasks, while seemingly simple, can help us all stay connected and supportive of those facing this virus on a daily basis.
When in doubt about how best to encourage an essential worker in your life, just being there when they need you can offer hope, support, and solidarity during a time when essential workers (and the rest of us) need it the most.
Many frontline workers during COVID-19 are working extremely long hours, only to feel exhausted when they arrive home. Whether the essential worker in your life lives with you or not, supporting their loved ones during this time is a great way to show your solidarity, while also supporting those who are directly impacted by the pandemic.
By helping essential workers and their loved ones with the logistics, such as by sending them groceries, doing their laundry, or walking their dog, you can help them manage the other aspects of their life during a time of chaos. When thinking of logistical tasks that you can help with, it is important to keep in mind that staying safe and adhering to social distancing and other safety guidelines is most important during a time like this.
If you are unable to safely support the families and loved ones of essential workers with logistical tasks, reaching out and staying connected is an excellent way to give back and show your support. Check in and ask them how they are doing, or if there is anything you can do to help during this time. Other ideas to reach out can include sending a text or a picture or sending a thoughtful gift.
When we support the loved ones of essential workers during this time, we create a feeling of bonding and connection that can help us all overcome the challenges of an uncertain future.
With many professionals working from home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, setting boundaries and finding the balance between work and other priorities can be a challenge. This session, in partnership with Healthy UNCG, will address how to set boundaries for working from home and will be presented by the Program Coordinator of the Healthy Relationships Initiative, Camila Dos Santos. This webinar will be presented in a Zoom format, and participants will receive information on how to connect upon registering.
To register for this free webinar, please click here.
The recording of this presentation can be found here in our HRI E-Learning Center.
It is no secret that during tough times, one of the most important things we can do is stay connected with our loved ones. But, sometimes, we get so caught up in the act of staying connected, that we forget to actually be connected and listen carefully to one another.
When reaching out to an essential worker in your life to check in, make sure you are listening attentively to what they say. Some signs of attentive listening include:
Paying attention to the speaker: Actually listening to what they say instead of preparing your response or thinking about what you want to say.
Withholding judgment: During highly stressful times, the last thing people need is to feel judged for expressing themselves honestly. The fact that essential workers are facing a deadly virus every day can lead to a rollercoaster of emotions and thoughts, and it is important that they feel comfortable expressing themselves to loved ones without fear of judgment or repercussion.
Avoiding interruptions: Be sure to let them finish what they are saying. This can help avoid assumptions and miscommunications and can give the other person a chance to vent or get it off their chest. Sometimes, the best thing we can do for someone is allow a safe space for them to “get it all out.”
When we listen to our loved ones attentively and without judgment, we create a safe space in the relationship for open communication and sharing. This is especially crucial during a time of chaos and uncertainty because it keeps us in tune with one another and aware of our loved ones’ needs during this time, but it also helps to set the foundation for a healthy relationship beyond the pandemic.
Gratitude is more than just being thankful – it is showing that thankfulness in measurable ways. Gratitude not only helps us stay in tune with what makes us happy and what motivates us, but it is also a great way to show others that you see them and are there to support them, especially during challenging times.
While showing gratitude can look different for everyone, below are some measurable ways to demonstrate your gratitude for an essential worker in your life:
Create a sign and display it to show your loved one and others that you support and love someone who is in the trenches during the pandemic.
Send flowers or a thoughtful card to let them know you are thinking of them.
Donate a meal or a sweet snack for them to enjoy at the end of a long day. If you are financially able to, consider sending meals to their team or coworkers for them to enjoy together while they take breaks from their demanding days, or consider setting up a community meal train.
Show kindness. Kindness is one of the most powerful forms of gratitude that we can show. During these stressful times, a small act of kindness can go a long way into helping someone overcome a tough day or a difficult moment. Giving a compliment, providing a listening ear, or giving a hug (if you can and it is safe to do so) can really transform a person’s day, especially now.
Don’t underestimate the power of saying thank you. Saying thank you regularly will show the essential worker(s) in your life that you are thinking of them and that you are grateful for what they do each day.
When we take the time to show our gratitude to essential workers during the pandemic, we are showing our solidarity during a time when it matters most. Take some time today to intentionally show an essential worker in your life that you are grateful for them. You may find that it brightens your day as well as theirs.
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives and routines of people all over the world. However, while most of us are staying home to slow the spread, there are many who wake up each day and face this pandemic head on. This HRI series will provide you with a new tip each day this week to help you find ways to support essential workers during the pandemic. Today’s tip is to show your support to essential workers by staying home.
Perhaps the most impactful way to support essential workers during the pandemic is to stay home and follow all social distancing guidelines. When we stay home, we help to keep everyone safe by preventing or slowing the spread of the virus in our communities. However, you are also sending a message to the essential worker(s) in your life – a message that you value and respect what they do, and that you will do your part by staying home and abiding by social distancing guidelines.
By staying home, you are not only helping to keep your community healthy, you are also supporting the people who do not have the choice to stay home.
Listening is one of the best ways for us to connect and show our love and support for one another, especially during life challenges. Take time today to really listen to what your loved ones have to say. Be present. Be open. And be kind.
Each session will feature an expert who will answer questions that are submitted in advance. Questions may be submitted directly to Camila Dos Santos at c_dossan@uncg.edu or by messaging either the YWCA HP or HRI on Facebook. All sessions will be facilitated by the Director of the Women’s Resource Center at the YWCA HP, Priscilla Bravo.
