Your Listening Partner: Facing Winter Blues as a Healthcare Professional

As part of our Full Circle of Support, we provide our travelers with mental health resources so they can focus on their assignments with peace of mind. We've partnered with Dr. Clare at Your Listening Partner, to provide travelers with free, confidential 1:1 listening sessions. She has her Ph.D. in Listening and over 21 years of experience listening to healthcare professionals. We care about your well-being and want to make sure you have all the necessary tools and resources to succeed in your career while on assignment with us.

In a recent collaboration with Your Listening Partner, Dr. Clare shared actionable strategies to help travel nurses and allied health professionals manage stress and emotional challenges during the winter months.

For many places, the cold, gray days of winter can be a challenge. What are some ways to keep spirits up during times like this?

The term ‘holiday blues’ is often associated in the United States with the Christmas season. However, across the globe, many cultures celebrate the darkest part of winter with holidays and family gatherings. While the holiday time can be tough, the period immediately afterward can also be challenging.

For travel nurses and allied health professionals, the holidays often limit how they celebrate. Distance from family and demanding work schedules can impact the day. Then, afterward, there’s the stretch of long, dark days with less sunshine. It might feel like those days will never end—but they will. Spring will come. For now, how do we handle the letdown that often comes after the holidays?

Recognizing and Addressing Your Emotions

First, name your feelings. General anxiety or sadness can sometimes be easier to handle if we acknowledge what they are and treat ourselves more gently. Mental health is an important focus for all healthcare professionals, especially during challenging times.

As healthcare professionals, it is easy to focus on your patients and forget to take care of yourself. Here are some suggestions for this quieter time of the year:

Stick to your normal routine. There is comfort in routine.

Be sure to get enough sleep.

Get back to your regular diet and be moderate with food and drink.

Take one day at a time. Focus first on today. Tomorrow, focus on the next day. Go easy on yourself and don’t judge yourself too harshly—feeling down after the holidays is not uncommon.

Make a list of activities or goals for the day. Scratching out a completed task can be very satisfying.

Just remember—spring will come again. Flowers will bloom, and once again, you will feel the sun on your face. This stretch of cold and gray is only for a while.

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Settling into a New Assignment: Your Guide to a Smooth Transition

How can I best prepare myself for the easiest/quickest adjustment when moving to a new location?

As you prepare for your next move, take a few moments to prepare yourself for a life change.

First, think about what you need to call where you live "home." That means considering where you sleep, eat, and feel safe after a long day. What did you like or not like about your previous location? Did you feel safe? What were your main concerns? Identify possible support points. Is a church community important to you? What are your interests?

Once your living arrangements are made, you can then turn your focus to your new position. Before you go, be sure to say your goodbyes. Let the friends you’ve made say goodbye and find closure. Saying goodbye is important for you and for them.

To be the new person in any group can be challenging. Just remember, as you begin, you are a well-trained professional with needed skills. Here are some suggestions from a seasoned healthcare professional with travel experience to help you settle into your new job and begin building trust:

Be yourself 100%. What gifts do you bring to the unit? Honesty? Compassion? A positive outlook?

Be a good nurse and a good teammate. This is especially important where the unit may be struggling with staffing issues. Show up, lend a hand, and expect to be part of the team.

Be a willing participant and expect the best. By doing so, you help yourself and break down possible preconceptions through your consistent support of the team.

Good luck—you’ll do great! Just remember, if you weren’t needed, you wouldn’t be there.

Say Yes to Less Stress: Partnering with Dr. Clare

As part of our Full Circle of Support, Health Carousel Nursing & Allied Health is dedicated to helping healthcare professionals manage the unique stresses of their careers. Our "Say Yes to Less Stress" initiative provides resources to ensure you feel supported and empowered throughout your journey.

We are proud to partner with Dr. Clare, founder of Your Listening Partner, to offer free, confidential 1:1 listening sessions. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Clare specializes in helping healthcare professionals navigate challenges, providing a compassionate space to be heard and understood.