Thread by @iandonald_psych

1. The action of #clapforNHS and others is important - it can help to keep our key workers healthy.
I read a tweet today saying that while nice, clapping in this way is pointless and doesn't achieve anything. That is wrong, for a number of reasons.
At a most basic level. . .

2. showing our appreciation for key workers and especially those treating #coronavirus patients can increase their morale. The difference that can make to them personally can be significant. We owe them that. But also it can impact on their enthusiasm; their motivation. . .

3. and that helps everyone else. Feeling enthusiastic and motivated can make the difference between going to work and not - getting out of bed to face another day and not. Our key workers are already motivated, but an extra push can help on bad days.

Beyond that there are . . .

4. health benefits that can result from #clappingforcarers

Published peer-reviewed research has consistently shown job stress is implicated in many physical illnesses, both chronic and acute, including hypertension and heart attacks. There are a number of factors that are . . .

5. associated with reducing or mitigating the negative impact of stress on health outcomes. One of the strongest, most consistent of those is the social support that workers perceive they have. The greater support the better the stress outcome. Our research has shown that...

6. this is the case for people working in NHS settings.

So, our clapping shows our appreciation for key workers, but is more important than just that. . .

#Keepclapping