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Nurses are notorious for prioritizing their patients and job over their own physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It’s especially evident just how worn-down and burned-out nurses have become as we begin to put the pandemic behind us. Now, more than ever, nurses need to consider placing greater emphasis on their own self-care and find a work-home life balance.
Regardless of whether you’ve been a nurse for less than a year, or are a seasoned nurse, you’ve got to incorporate self-care methods into your time-off from work in order to continue to be compassionate and empathetic to your patients.
It is also imperative to note that our roles aren’t limited to just being a nurse. We are also caretakers to our own families and hold a number of other roles outside of work.
We as nurses must find balance and be able to find ways to recharge.
Here are some helpful ways for nurses to prioritize their self-care:
- Get daily exercise – this will help to manage your stress levels as well as maintain your overall health.
- Eat healthy
- Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night, including during the work week
- Schedule a massage, or a spa day with your friends
- Be okay with saying ‘no’ to added work obligations
- Seek out a form of emotional expression that works for you – you can journal, or seek out counseling/therapy
- Find a support system – nurse friends are wonderful people to connect with and confide in
- Avoid work drama, or toxic work environments
- Find a hobby that brings you joy
- Meditate, or practice yoga
- Spend time with your family and friends
- Pamper yourself frequently – whether it’s through a multi-step skincare routine, or long baths, find ways to relax
- Completely disconnect from work during your days off
- Plan trips, and take your vacations
- When you get home from work find a way to decompress
- Set aside time to reflect on your workday – don’t hold on to the emotions and stresses from your workday, address these feelings.
Once you’ve prioritized your own needs and practiced self-care regularly, you’ll find that you are less likely to be stretched thin, more replenished for yourself and be better equipped to care for your patients.