As an essential worker, I've been hearing a lot about navigating our loved ones and our relationships as we've been given the call to serve. I have three points for us essential workers, as we try and maintain our relationships with our loved ones as we're essential workers during COVID-19. First, finding the right time to talk. Second, communicating effectively. And third, seeking support.
So first, finding the right time to talk. Now if your loved one has been home all day with the kids or has sheltered in place and is feeling all of the pressures that are associated with that journey, as soon as you walk through the door, that might not be the best time to have the conversation about what it means to be an essential worker.
You might be too tired. You might be too stressed and overwhelmed. And they may also be tired and overwhelmed and stressed with the demands that their day has. If you want to have an effective conversation, it's actually planning a time to talk about the unique pressures of being an essential worker during COVID-19. And those are the pressures on you, as well as those who love you.
Secondly, communicating effectively. Now we have seen things that maybe none of us even imagined, in are asked to work in ways that we may have never fathomed before. That has an emotional toll. It has a cognitive toll. And it has a physical toll on our bodies. Effective communication means that we have to take some time to be able to hear someone else's perspective. If you know that you're not able to do that, you may need to take some deep breaths, or even pause the conversation, so you can actually hear what your loved one wants to say and needs to say to you. And so you can actually communicate effectively.
Lastly, seeking support. Now your loved one may be your best friend and may be your go-to person, but they may not be able to hear all the stresses of the things that you're experiencing in your work. You may need to join a group for other essential workers, participate in staff emotional support, which we have available at Montefiore. Or talk to a friend.
But going to that loved one that is really worried about you, they may not have the capacity to support you in the ways that you need. We hope that during COVID-19, in this time of physical distancing, that these pointers help you connect with your family and your loved ones. Thank you so much for your service.