The average nurse’s work environment is often high-stress, fast-paced and mentally draining — and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated all of those factors. Now, given the longer-than-normal hours, overflowing hospitals and a ceaseless sense of urgency, nurses are burning out faster than ever. The widespread burnout needs attention quickly before more nurses leave the healthcare industry.
One way leadership can help is to promote and encourage mental health and self-care among their employees. After all, healthier providers tend to impact better patient outcomes.
Simple Self-Care Strategies
Putting self-care to practice is easier said than done. Many nurses feel fortunate just to get in a shower at the end of their shift. But, there are so many benefits that can come from just implementing a few practical strategies. Tending to one’s health is an excellent place to start.
Mind
- Tune out the news as much as is reasonably possible. It’s difficult enough to be dealing with the stressors of the pandemic and other trauma in person. Seeing it replayed in the 24-hour news cycle only compounds the effect on one’s mental health.
- Pick up a hobby like gardening, painting, baking or anything that allows you to unplug. Perhaps find a few podcasts you enjoy which can help give your mind a much-needed break.
- Journaling can be very therapeutic. If you can take 10 minutes every day to dedicate to reflection, you might find the practice soothing. Not sure what to write about? There are plenty of resources where you can find journal prompts.
Body
- Exercising may be the last thing on your mind upon finishing a shift, but the stress-reducing benefits of moving your body have been well-proven — thanks, in part, to the release of endorphins, the brain’s “feel-good” hormone. Even if you only have 15 minutes, a brisk walk can ease some of the angst.
- Because nurses are always on the go, their eating habits often suffer. But, with a little planning, you can still eat healthfully without spending hours doing food preparation. Foods like pre-cut vegetables and fruits, hard-boiled eggs and tuna are packable and snackable. If it feels like you don’t even have time to stop at the grocery store, think about having grocery items delivered.
- You cannot underestimate sleep’s impact on mitigating burnout. During sleep, your body and brain perform restorative and regenerative processes necessary for you to function at your highest level. If you have difficulty turning off your brain (many people do), try a sleep app such as Calm, Headspace or Pzizz.
Spirit
- Finding calm and ease in spirituality might have to do with your religious beliefs — but it certainly doesn’t have to. Feeding one’s spirit can encompass anything from going out into nature to guided meditation to something as “meditative” as cleaning out your closets.
- Another way to support your spirit and emotional health is to find comfort among family members and friends. You don’t have to agree to every social request, but meeting for coffee or wine occasionally can provide solace.
- Don’t forget to laugh! As they say, laughter is the best medicine — in more ways than one. For example, it boosts your mental health, but it also positively impacts physical aspects of the body (stimulates organs, strengthens immunity, relieves pain).
Put Your Oxygen Mask on First
These are just a few ideas for nurses to consider incorporating in their daily routine. While nurses should take charge of their well-being, nurse leaders should also recognize when their staff might be struggling and encourage staff to ask for help or seek mental health resources.
Finally, it can be comforting to remember why you, as a nurse, got into the field. Most likely, you have an innate passion to care for others. Unless you take care of yourself, though, it will be difficult to provide optimal care to the patients you serve.
For more information on self-care practices, this guide provided by RegisteredNursing.com is a great resource.
Learn more about The University of Texas Arlington’s online Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
