Life on the Line: The Deadly Cost of Ignoring Stress-Video: Life on the Line

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In the TCAA webinar “Life on the Line: The Deadly Cost of Ignoring Stress,” Rita K. Garnto, a self-care strategist with nearly 40 years in healthcare, emphasizes the urgent need for healthcare professionals to prioritize self-care amid chronic work stress. Drawing from personal experiences—including her mother’s fatal cardiac event linked to stress and her own mental health struggles after adopting toddlers—Rita highlights that while acute stress responses serve survival, it is chronic, long-term stress that causes serious health issues and burnout. She introduces “simple self-care” techniques designed to easily fit into busy schedules without additional time or expense, such as physiological sighs (deep breathing), movement/stretching, brain dumping (journaling or list-making), positive affirmations, and sensory engagement to reset the nervous system. Rita urges healthcare workers to recognize signs of stress in themselves and colleagues, reframe stress perception, and use these tools regularly—not just on days off—to reduce harmful effects. She stresses starting small with manageable self-care steps and embracing community and openness about mental health. Ultimately, the message is clear: chronic stress is deadly, but through awareness and simple daily practices, healthcare workers can protect their well-being and sustain their vital work.

Keywords

chronic stress

self-care

healthcare professionals

stress management

burnout prevention

mental health

stress awareness

simple self-care techniques