In the demanding and difficult field of nursing, the well-being of nurses often takes a backseat. They tend to work day in and day out, navigate challenges, and prioritize others over themselves. However, ignoring their own wellness can have negative consequences that lead to compassion fatigue, exhaustion, and even decreased job satisfaction.
According to a report by HealthyNurse, 70% of nurses prioritize their patients’ health, safety, and well-being over their own well-being, and end up feeling depressed, sad, and lethargic. Therefore, nurses need to prioritize their health and strike a healthy balance between their professional and personal life.
Only after prioritizing self-care and establishing a healthy equilibrium between their personal and professional life can they prevent burnout, develop resilience, and maintain their passion for nursing, benefitting their lives and their patients.
If you’re a nurse struggling to stay healthy, this article is for you. Follow these practical tips to ensure your well-being and win a healthy work-life balance.
Prioritize Your 'Me' Time
One of the best ways to stay healthy and achieve a work-life balance for nurses is to prioritize self-care and personal time. You can feel rejuvenated by consciously setting aside dedicated time by engaging in activities that help you prioritize self-care. You can pursue your favorite hobbies, spend time with loved ones, engage in self-care practices, or simply take a sabbatical from work for a few days.
Moreover, if you’re passionate about advancing your nursing career by pursuing a higher degree, you can opt for institutes that offer online degree programs instead of joining an on-campus class. For example, you can earn your online MSN to take your nursing career to an advanced level without disrupting your personal life. Moreover, this degree will also help you pass NP certification programs to advance your career.
By prioritizing personal time, you can foster your well-being and professional growth. It will enable you to enhance your career while ensuring you have the time and energy for personal care, leading to enhanced job satisfaction, improved overall health, and a fulfilling work-life balance.
Draw a Line of Demarcation Between Work and Personal Life
Setting boundaries between work and personal life is vital to stay healthy and achieve a healthy work-life balance. It’s important to draw a line of demarcation between your personal and professional life by keeping specific hours exclusive to work, avoiding reviewing work-related emails during personal time, and ensuring your work commitment won’t encroach on your personal obligations.
Drawing a fine line between personal and professional life will help you manage your time and energy more effectively and prevent you from overworking yourself. It will also allow you to nurture relationships, seek rejuvenation, and immerse in different hobbies, leading to a more sustainable and fulfilling career.
Get Vaccinated
Being a healthcare professional, nurses are highly exposed to different pathogens. Therefore, getting yourself vaccinated is a crucial preventive measure to protect yourself from infectious diseases. Keeping up with your vaccinations will protect you and reduce the chances of transmitting infections to vulnerable patients.
Make sure you regularly check with your healthcare provider to keep your immunization status in check and receive the required vaccinations and boosters. The healthcare provider will recommend vaccinations based on your job liabilities and healthcare settings. Commonly, you may receive vaccination for influenza, hepatitis B, mumps, rubella, tetanus, and pertussis.
Getting yourself vaccinated not only ensures your personal health but also demonstrates your commitment to patient safety and infection control. As a nurse, it's part of your job to prioritize the health and well-being of yourself and those in your care.
Practice Stress-reduction and Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness is vital to maintaining overall health, especially in challenging professions like nursing. A survey shows around 80% reported suffering from mental health issues, whereas 60% complained about devastating physical health. In such a scenario, practicing mindfulness can significantly benefit you in managing stress and ensuring optimal health. Being mindful will also enable you to stay focused and eliminate the stream of thoughts that distract you during work hours.
Meditate: Meditation is a great way to ensure sound physical and mental health. You can practice meditation by finding a cozy place during work or before/after. Close your eye, bring attention to your breath, and clear your mind from all the work-related worries. Doing it religiously can help you eliminate anxiety, cultivate a sense of calmness, and improve mental clarity and focus.
Deep Breathing Exercise: Deep breathing is an easy yet powerful technique to ensure a healthy body. It’s so easy to practice anywhere, even during a busy schedule. It will help regulate heart rate, improve the body’s relaxation response, and mitigate feelings of tension.
Give yourself a break: Taking a short break to practice mindfulness during shift hours can help you recharge, reduce stress levels, and improve your focus on work, thereby contributing to a healthy lifestyle and work-life balance.
Mindfulness Apps and Resources: Various mindfulness apps and online resources are available to guide you through mindfulness exercises. These apps provide guided exercises and mindfulness techniques tailored to different needs and time constraints.
Incorporating mindfulness into daily routines—both at work and in their personal lives—promotes long-term health and well-being. Regularly practicing mindfulness can improve your ability as a nurse to manage stressful situations and enhance emotional well-being, avoiding feeling too overwhelmed to incorporate self-care practices in your personal life.
Consult a Professional
If you ever struggle with mental health or experience symptoms of exhaustion, you should immediately talk to professionals for help. These professionals—counselors, psychologists, and therapists—offer ample guidance on dealing with mental health issues and improving well-being.
Make sure you keep in mind these factors while resorting to a professional for help.
• Seek recommendations from your colleagues or supervisor on expert mental health professionals.
• Ensure the mental health professional adheres to strict ethical codes and maintains confidentiality.
• Consider the accessibility factors looking for a mental health professional. You can also consider online therapy for convenience.
Remember that resorting to a professional is not a sign of weakness but a positive step towards well-being. Only professionals have the expertise to help you navigate the challenges you may face in your arduous nursing profession. So, don’t feel reluctant to reach out if you need help.
Final Thoughts
Being a nurse can be tiring and require constant vigilance, leading to compromised physical and mental health. You can improve your overall well-being by prioritizing self-care, talking to a professional, establishing boundaries between work and personal life, and indulging in mindful practices. Remember that creating a pleasant space for nurses where they can promote self-care is a shared responsibility.
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