Navigating Stress in Healthcare Under a New Presidential Administration
- Dr. Washington
- Mar 21
- 10 min read
Updated: Apr 1
21, March 2025 Sharon G.E. Washington Ed.D., MPH
When a new presidential administration comes into power, the ripple effects are felt across many sectors – and healthcare is often front and center. Policy shifts, changes in leadership priorities, and uncertainty about the future can create significant stress for healthcare workers and providers. Frontline staff may worry about how new policies will affect patient care or their own job stability, while leaders face pressure to adapt to evolving regulations. It’s a lot to take in. In fact, even before factoring in political changes, healthcare professionals have been facing rising levels of burnout and anxiety. The U.S. Surgeon General has warned that distressing work environments are driving many health workers to burnout, straining their physical and mental well-being hhs.gov. Add a dose of political uncertainty to the mix, and it’s no wonder stress levels can spike.
How a New Administration Heightens Stress in Healthcare:
A change in administration often brings unknowns. Will there be new healthcare legislation or budget cuts? Changes to insurance coverage or public health guidelines? For many in healthcare, this uncertainty breeds anxiety. Providers who lived through previous transitions (like the rollout or repeal of major health policies) know that even positive changes can come with growing pains in the workplace. Moreover, if the incoming administration’s values sharply contrast with the outgoing one, staff may feel moral distress or concern for their patients’ futures. For example, shifts in focus on pandemic response, mental health funding, or equity initiatives can directly impact day-to-day work. Recognizing that these worries are valid is the first step. It’s completely normal for healthcare teams to feel on edge when the rules of the game might change. During these times, open communication and support are critical – both from leadership and among peers.
Leadership Alignment: Keeping Your Team Grounded During Change
In turbulent times, strong and aligned leadership is one of the best antidotes to uncertainty. Healthcare workers take their cues from organizational leaders. When leadership is united, transparent, and supportive, it helps steady the ship. Research shows that supportive leadership can significantly reduce the negative effects of job stress on employees
blogs.cdc.gov. In practical terms, this means leaders at every level – from C-suite executives to department heads and charge nurses – should coordinate their messages and demonstrate a shared commitment to staff well-being.
How can aligned leadership reduce stress? First, by speaking with one voice. Mixed messages about policy changes or institutional priorities can heighten anxiety. If a new administration is causing policy shifts, leaders should huddle together early, decide on a clear interpretation of those changes for their organization, and communicate consistently to all staff. Second, by being present and empathetic. Leadership alignment isn’t just about what you say, but also what you do. When leaders collectively make themselves available – whether through town hall meetings, rounds to check on staff, or an open-door policy – it reassures the workforce that “we’re in this together.”
Aligned leaders also proactively acknowledge the stress everyone is under. Rather than ignoring the elephant in the room, effective leaders name it: “Yes, things are changing at the national level, and we know that’s stressful. We are here to support you and figure this out as a team.” This kind of validating message, echoed by all managers, can significantly defuse tension. It’s equally important that leadership demonstrates unity in action. For instance, if upper management emphasizes the importance of self-care but middle managers still schedule punishing shifts or discourage time off, staff will notice the disconnect. Leadership alignment means practicing what you preach uniformly. When everyone from the CMO to the unit supervisor models healthy responses – like taking breaks, encouraging talking about concerns, and focusing on the shared mission – employees feel safer and more supported.
Tips for Leaders to Support Their Teams during Transitions:
Communicate Early and Often: Even if you don’t have all the answers, share what you do know. Regular updates prevent rumor mills from filling the void.
Show a Unified Front: Discuss changes in leadership meetings and agree on the core messages before speaking to staff. Consistency builds trust.
Be Transparent and Honest: If certain impacts of the new administration (e.g. funding cuts or new regulations) are still unclear, say so. Promise to keep staff informed as you learn more.
Listen to Concerns: Encourage team members to voice fears or questions. Acknowledge their feelings (“I understand this uncertainty is hard”) rather than downplaying them.
Emphasize Shared Purpose: Remind everyone that despite policy changes, your collective commitment to patient care and each other remains the same. A common goal can be a stabilizing force.
When leaders are aligned in this way, employees at the bedside and behind the scenes can focus less on fear of the unknown and more on the work they do best. They know their higher-ups have their backs. Alignment doesn’t mean having all the solutions; it means facing challenges as a cohesive unit. That alone can greatly ease the psychological burden on healthcare workers during a government transition.
Fostering a Supportive, Inclusive & Trauma-Informed Culture
If aligned leadership is the backbone of navigating change, a supportive and inclusive workplace culture is the heart. Culture is built day by day in the interactions between colleagues, and now is the time to double-down on creating an environment where everyone feels safe, valued, and heard. In stressful periods, healthcare workers need to know they can lean on each other. An inclusive culture means every team member – nurses, physicians, techs, admins, from novice to veteran – believes their well-being matters to the organization. This sense of belonging can buffer a lot of stress.
One key aspect is psychological safety. This concept refers to an atmosphere where individuals feel free to express concerns, admit uncertainties, or ask for help without fear of judgment. When a new administration’s policies start rolling out, there may be confusion at the ground level. A psychologically safe team will openly discuss “What does this mean for our workflow?” or “I’m worried how this might affect our patients; has anyone heard more details?” – rather than each person stewing in silence. Leaders and peers can model this by thanking staff who bring up issues and responding with empathy. Remember, questions and even constructive critiques from staff are a sign they care, not an affront. Embracing that attitude at all levels helps everyone navigate changes more effectively and with less anxiety.
Inclusion and diversity also play a role, though not in a buzzword way. Avoiding overuse of corporate jargon doesn’t mean we ignore these principles – it means we live them out. For instance, if certain staff members (perhaps those from immigrant communities or specific backgrounds) feel particularly vulnerable about new policies (such as healthcare coverage or visa rules), make sure they have a voice and receive support. An inclusive culture ensures no one is left feeling “othered” or isolated in their stress. Simple actions, like inviting input from a wide range of team members when brainstorming solutions or rotating meeting facilitators to hear different perspectives, reinforce that everyone’s input is valued. When people feel included, they’re more likely to share burdens and coping strategies with each other, which lightens the load on all.
Another vital component is adopting a trauma-informed approach within the workplace. Healthcare professionals are no strangers to trauma – whether it’s the collective trauma of battling a pandemic or individual experiences of difficult patient outcomes. A trauma-informed support system in a hospital or clinic acknowledges that stress responses (like irritability, fatigue, or even disengagement) may be signs of deeper strain or past trauma being triggered by the current uncertainty. Practically, being trauma-informed as a team might look like: offering a brief counseling session or debrief after particularly tough days, being mindful that abrupt schedule changes can heighten stress for some, or simply encouraging mindful breaks. It’s about recognizing the humanity of healthcare workers, not just their productivity. Leadership can promote trauma-informed care for staff by providing resources such as wellness workshops, peer support groups, or access to professional counseling. Even informal practices – for example, a manager starting huddle with a quick calming breathing exercise, or coworkers voluntarily covering each other’s patients for 5 minutes so one can step away and regroup – contribute to a trauma-informed, resilient environment.
Lastly, celebrate and reinforce the positive aspects of your culture. In times of uncertainty, reminding staff of “who we are” as a team can be deeply reassuring. Whether your unit is known for its camaraderie, its problem-solving creativity, or its patient-centered passion, highlight those cultural strengths. This creates a counterbalance to external stress. Yes, things around us are in flux, but we have an enduring culture of support and excellence that will carry us through. Such affirmations, when genuinely practiced, give staff a sense of stability. The policies may change, but our values and how we treat each other remain solid.
Somatic Awareness: Managing Stress Through the Body
While organizational support is crucial, it’s equally important to equip healthcare workers with personal tools to manage stress in the moment. One powerful approach is somatic awareness – essentially, using the body to help calm the mind. Healthcare professionals often operate at full throttle, powering through long shifts fueled by adrenaline and resolve. Over time, this can lead to feeling disconnected from one’s own body signals of stress. Somatic practices offer a way to reconnect and self-regulate.
So, what is somatic awareness exactly? In simple terms, it means tuning into the physical sensations in your body (muscle tension, breathing rate, heartbeat, etc.) and using that awareness to relieve stress. Our bodies often know we’re stressed before our minds fully register it. Shoulders creeping up to the ears, a knot in the stomach, a pounding pulse – these are red flags. Somatic techniques teach us to notice those signs without judgment and respond in a healthy way. In fact, studies on mind-body interventions have shown that mindfulness practices focusing on bodily sensations can reduce the reactivity of our brain’s stress centers, helping us respond more calmly under pressure
The beauty of somatic exercises is that they’re quick, accessible, and effective, even amid a hectic hospital day.
Practical Somatic Techniques for Healthcare Workers:
You don’t need a yoga mat or an hour of meditation to benefit from somatic strategies.
Here are a few simple practices you can try almost anywhere:
Grounding Breath: Pause for a minute to take a few slow, deep breaths. Inhale for a count of 4, hold for 2, exhale for 6. Feel your feet on the floor as you exhale. This helps activate the relaxation response and can be done between patients or on a short break.
Body Scan (Micro-Version): While washing your hands or sitting at your desk, quickly scan your body from head to toe. Notice areas of tension (tight jaw, clenched fists, stiff neck) and intentionally soften those areas. Even a 30-second scan can release physical stress.
Stretch and Release: Roll your shoulders in circles, stretch your neck gently side to side, or do a simple forward bend if able. Physical movement releases built-up stress hormones and sends a signal that it’s okay to relax. Many healthcare workers hold tension in their back and shoulders; a quick stretch can do wonders.
Sensory Reset: Engage your senses to come back to the present moment. For example, rub a drop of scented lotion on your hands and inhale, or sip a cool glass of water slowly, truly feeling the temperature. Focusing on sensory details can ground you when anxiety is racing.
Somatic Check-In: Take 10 seconds to close your eyes (if safe to do so) and ask, “What is my body feeling right now?” Simply acknowledging fatigue, tightness, or butterflies in the stomach – without immediately pushing it aside – can diffuse some of the stress. It’s like telling your nervous system “I hear you.”
These practices are part of being trauma-informed with yourself – recognizing when your own stress is mounting and responding with care rather than criticism. For healthcare providers who constantly care for others, somatic awareness is a way to care for yourself in small but meaningful doses throughout the day. Over time, regularly using these techniques can build resilience. Just as we train our muscles in rehab, we can train our nervous system to find calm more easily, even under strain.
Embracing Change with Resilience – You’re Not Alone
Change is one of the few constants in healthcare. Whether it’s a new electronic health record, updated clinical guidelines, or shifts in government leadership, we are continually adapting. What remains constant is the dedication of healthcare workers and leaders to their patients and communities. By focusing on aligned leadership, nurturing a culture of inclusion and support, and practicing somatic self-care, healthcare teams can navigate the stresses of a new presidential administration with resilience and hope. It’s important to remember that you’re not facing these challenges alone – your colleagues up and down the chain are experiencing many of the same uncertainties and emotions. Leaning on each other and growing together is how healthcare gets through tough times and comes out stronger.
As you move forward in this period of transition, be intentional about managing stress rather than letting it manage you. Encourage dialogue within your team, make use of hospital support resources (like employee assistance programs or resilience workshops), and give yourself permission to step away and recharge when you need to. Small habits, like a brief mindful pause before starting a shift or a quick huddle to vent and laugh with coworkers, can accumulate into a significant positive effect on your mental health.
Finally, we’d like to offer you a free resource to support your well-being. To help you practice the somatic techniques mentioned above, we invite you to download our Free Somatic Awareness Audio Practice Guide. This guided audio exercise (created by experts at SWC) will lead you through a short somatic meditation you can use anytime you feel overwhelmed – whether after a stressful case or when news headlines are weighing on you. It’s a simple, proven way to release tension and reconnect with a sense of calm in your body. Take the first step toward easing the physical toll of stress.
And if you’re interested in delving even deeper, consider exploring Critically Conscious Connections (CCC)’s Somatic Awareness Course – a comprehensive program designed to help healthcare providers integrate somatic tools and trauma-informed practices into their daily lives and leadership. In this course, you’ll learn advanced techniques for stress regulation, embodied leadership skills, and ways to cultivate a healthier work culture from the inside out. It’s an excellent next step for those who want to not only survive changes and challenges, but truly thrive through them.
Change will keep coming in healthcare, but with the right support systems and self-care practices, you can meet those changes from a place of strength and compassion. Download the somatic guide, try the techniques, and share them with your team. By caring for yourself and each other, you’ll not only navigate the stress of a new administration – you’ll build a more resilient healthcare environment for whatever comes next. You’ve got this, and we’re here to help every step of the way.
You Deserve Support — Let’s Build It Together
Whether you’re leading a team through transition or navigating your own stress in this uncertain moment, know that you don’t have to do it alone. At SWC, we specialize in helping healthcare professionals and institutions build cultures of care, resilience, and alignment—even in times of disruption.
Download the free Somatic Practice Audio Guide to support your nervous system today, and Explore the full Somatic Awareness Course to create lasting change from the inside out.
Change is here—but together, we can meet it with clarity, care, and courage.
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