Why It's Important For Healthcare Leaders To Have A Support System (And How To Create One)

Healthcare leaders wear many hats. They are responsible for ensuring that patients receive the best possible care and that their staff and departments run smoothly. This can be a challenging juggling act, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed at times. That's why it's important to have a supportive network of family, friends and colleagues.

The Importance Of Social Support

A support system is an important part of managing challenging times. When you're stressed and busy, it's easy to forget about the importance of relationships and friendships. But friendships and relationships aren't just nice to have—they're crucial to our mental and emotional well-being.

Having people you can rely on for advice and guidance can help you stay connected to your values and maintain a sense of perspective—giving you much-needed emotional and practical assistance, helping to lighten the load and make tough decisions easier.

Other benefits include:

• Stress reduction. When we have strong social relationships, we are more likely to feel supported and valued, which can help us better cope with stressors in our lives.

• Better physical health. Friendship and social support have been linked with better physical health, including lower blood pressure and a stronger immune system.

• Improved mental health. Friendship and social support can help protect us from mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. They can also help us recover from tough times more quickly.

Your support system includes the people who you can rely on for emotional and practical support. This might be family, friends, colleagues, a mentor or even a therapist or counselor. Think about who you would feel comfortable reaching out to when you're feeling down or need help with something.

How Healthcare Leaders Can Create A Support System

There are many different ways to create a support system. You can reach out to friends and family members, join a support group or even just connect with other people who are going through similar experiences. The important thing is to find what works for you and to make sure that you have someone to turn to when things get tough.

Here are some tips on how to build a network, regardless of your placement or assignment.

• Make use of online resources and support groups.

• Get involved in your community and build relationships with others who understand what you're going through.

• Stay connected with your family and friends.

• Join a group or club related to your interests.

• Attend meetups and events.

• Get involved in local volunteer opportunities.

• Use social media to connect with others who share your interests.

• Be open to meeting new people and striking up conversations.

• Keep a positive outlook and focus on the support you do have, however small it may seem.

A healthcare leader is often thought of as someone who is at the forefront of leading and implementing change within healthcare organizations. However, what's often not considered is how important it is for healthcare leaders to also build and maintain positive relationships and friendships, both personally and professionally. This is especially important when times are busy and stressful. Positive relationships can provide much-needed support during difficult times, help to improve communication and foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Additionally, strong relationships can lead to better healthcare outcomes for patients and staff alike.

Previously published on Forbes.