Self Care Tips for Nurses

Nurses and aged care workers spend most of their time caring for others, however, they can’t do this to the best of their ability if they don’t look after themselves first. Self care can come in various forms and may look different for each individual, but it’s important to remember that self care involves both physical and emotional factors. If you’re a nurse feeling overwhelmed or tired, or you just can’t remember the last time you did something for yourself, here are a few self care strategies to help get you back on track to looking after yourself better and avoiding burnout.

Healthy meals and snacks. It is important to consider what you are eating, especially as a nurse, as high sugar and processed foods can contribute to feelings of tiredness and anxiety. Try to bring snacks to work that are high in nutrients like cucumber and carrots sticks, fruit, or Greek yoghurt for example.

Prioritising exercise and movement. Life can get very busy as a nurse, but your health should be a number one priority, including keeping physically active. Regularly exercising positively impacts not only physical health, but also mental health and stimulates endorphins which elevate mood. Even a small amount of movement such as a 15-minute walk around the block before or after work contributes positively to self care.

Sleep. With the unavoidable shift work of nursing, as well as the physical and emotional energy it requires, getting enough sleep each night can prove difficult at times. However, getting 7-9 hours of sleep per night wherever possible is extremely important in order for you to function better at work and also on days off. A few helpful sleep habits include not using technology at least an hour before bed, have a comfortable, dark and quiet space to sleep, avoid caffeine in the hours leading up to bedtime and try to establish a consistent routine.

Mindfulness sessions and programs that help you put strategies in place to prevent burnout. Healthcare Heartbeat is an example of a program that provides a range of essential services for healthcare workers to improve their mental health and wellbeing. Healthcare Heartbeat have also just announced their partnership with Altaira to deliver Wellness Grants to aged care nurses. This means aged care nurses within Victoria and South Australia can apply to receive an Altaira Wellness Grant which will enable access to a 90-minute online mindfulness session along with a delivery of authentically home-cooked meals. This grant will assist nurses to better recognise signs of stress and help them to put strategies in place to avoid burnout.

Support from colleagues, or a professional when needed. Nurses are often exposed to high stress and emotional situations that can really take a toll at times. Seeking support from or sharing emotions and feelings regarding difficult times at work with a fellow colleague who can relate to how you are feeling, can be beneficial for mental health. When necessary, it may be more appropriate to reach out to a mental health professional also.

Prioritising hobbies. Whether you love to cook, read, garden, play sport or simply play with the dog, having something you enjoy doing when not working is another great self care strategy to ensure positive mental health and avoid burnout. Hobbies are a great way to keep a balance between work life and home life and provide enjoyment amongst high stress factors work may bring.

Meditation. Practicing meditation can help to regain focus and bring calmness as well as manage anxiety. It may be a useful strategy to implement when at home before going to sleep, in order to calm the mind after a busy shift.

Separating work from home. It can be really important to try and leave the events of your shift at work and not always bring it home with you. This may not always be easy, however, try debriefing with a colleague before you leave work or with yourself or a friend on your drive home and then try to let it go before entering your home. This way you are creating a separation between work life and home life which creates a healthy balance.

Altaira recognises the importance of self care for nurses and ensures that the nurses they employ are supported and assisted when needed.

If you are a nurse working in aged care in Victoria or South Australia wanting to look after your mental health and wellbeing better, you can apply for the Altaira Wellness Grant here: Apply for an Altaira Wellness Grant! – Altaira Services