Written by Kathy Fauble, Professional Education Services Director
We recently returned from a five-day hiking trip in Glacier National Park. It a beautiful part of the country with soaring mountains, glacial lakes and, oh yes, bears. We were fortunate to see four bears along the way. I say fortunate because it’s super cool to see a bear and fortunate because they were far away, posing no threat. As we headed down the trail, I asked our trip guide, Alison, if she ever had a close bear encounter.
“Just once,” she replied as she shared her story of the very first-time she was a trail leader in Glacier. One of the hikers on the trip got sick so she was bringing him back down to camp. As the two of them rounded a corner there they were, two teenage grizzlies who got really curious about the interlopers really quickly; snorting, pawing and standing up.
If you know anything about bear safety, you know the number one rule is not to run, but to stand tall and talk loudly. With a sick guest on one arm and her bear spray in the other, she stood her ground until the bear went away. “I was shaking like a leaf inside, but I knew I had to appear calm and confident, or things weren’t going to go well,” she said.
Stay Calm and Carry On
Staying calm is such an important part of what you do as a healthcare professional. Everyday you deal with stress, chaos, and the knowledge that people’s lives are in your hands.
One of my favorite poems is Rudyard Kipling’s “If,” with the opening line being, “If you can keep your head when all about you/ Are losing theirs....” Having the wherewithal to remain calm and not become rattled during stressful situations helps you better care for patients, and it inspires confidence in those around you. It’s not always easy and even the most seasoned among us can occasionally flip out during a crisis. Like everything else, having a calm steady demeanor takes some practice.
Know Yourself
Start by being self-aware. Know your emotional and psychological triggers. Does your heartbeat quicken? Do your palms sweat? Do your shoulders tighten? Take some deep breaths and focus on the logic of the task ahead. Talk in a voice that is calming and reassuring. Let those around you know what is going right. If you need to buy some time, ask questions and listen. And finally, and most importantly, look the part. Walk with confidence and talk in a voice that is calm and straightforward.
After crisis care is just as important. Take time to decompress, knowing again what works for you. It could be a walk outside, a cup of tea, a hug from a friend, a stress ball, or a favorite essential oil. Just know that being calm and confident in a crisis requires being calm and confident with yourself. Treat your inner-self well and practice skills that will help you better perform under pressure.
Oh, A Bear!
Which brings me back to my guide and her bear story. We hiked a lot of miles with our group and guide through the park. I wasn’t nervous about seeing a bear on the trail because of the confidence our guide exuded as our leader. Think about this in your daily work. If you are calm and composed, those around you will follow you lead.
The old saying goes that if you see a bear you don’t have to outrun it, you just have to be able to outrun the slowest person in your group. There may be some truth there, but you don’t want to be the person left behind! Have a great week.
