Helping Those Who Help Others

Many of us find our lives stressful.  But, probably not as stressful as those who provide regular care to the sick.  What do doctors and nurses do when they feel overwhelmed?  Increasingly, many are finding solutions in complementary medicine. 

Dr. Aaron Michelfelder of Loyola University’s Strict School of Medicine has been looking into this problem.  Michelfelder stated in a recent interview
that about 300 to 400 physicians commit suicide each year.

“We see a lot of bad things,”he stated.  “Physicians really need strong
coping mechanisms.”  Michelfelder, and a growing number of physicians are adding complementary and alternative medicine to their regimen to combat stress.  These methods include herbal therapy, deep breathing, Jazzercise, massage and yoga to help them deal with stress.

Health Services Research published a study online that found that 76 percent of health care workers and 83 percent of doctors and nurses used complementary and alternative medicine.  This compares with only 63 percent of the
general population. 

The ability to find ways to deal with stress is needed.  One way, more often
used than mentioned by healthcare professionals is prayer.  Prayer enables someone to connect with something outside themselves, which is larger than the problems they are facing.  In the book, The SuperStress Solution, Dr. Roberta Lee states, “Research shows that people who are more religious or spiritual use their spirituality to cope with life.”

“They’re better able to cope with stress, they heal faster from illness, and they experience increased benefits to their health and well-being. On an intellectual level, spirituality connects you to the world, which in turn enables you to stop trying to control things all by yourself. When you feel part of a greater whole, it’s easy to understand that you aren’t responsible for everything that happens in life.”

Prayer helps bring calm and comfort into our lives, quieting the stress we feel. The Psalmist assures us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present
help in trouble.”  No matter how troubling a situation may seem, there is a divine presence able to calm every situation and bring peace and joy back into our lives. 

If the men and women in our society who are under some of the greatest pressures – caring for the sick; making life and death decisions – are turning to prayer, perhaps there is something in it even for those of us with less stressful jobs.