A healthy new year to all the NHS Nurses!
Practising and prioritising self-care is one of the best ways to start. This blog is jam-packed with exciting and interesting information and resources, especially for NHS Nurses. Since there is a lot of talk about taking care of yourself as a healthcare worker, we wanted to put our two cents in, providing you with the ultimate self-care guide.
What is self-care?
Self-care resonates with taking care of your overall health and well-being. Looking after your body, mind, and emotions. To be healthy inside and out. Self-care practices for NHS Nurses can range from having a skin-care routine to listening to calm music. It involves things you would love to do and makes you feel good and productive.
Yes, it is that simple and takes little effort. Listening to a 10-minute guided meditation over watching 30 minutes of Netflix series after a night shift is where it starts.
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Where Nursing Meets Self-care
Nursing and self-care go hand-in-hand. Nurses deal with many daily challenges, from nurse night shift to taking care of difficult people.
But according to the American Nurses Association Health Risk Appraisal, 68% of the surveyed nurses place their patients’ health, safety, and wellness before their own. 68! It is time to change these statistics.
They also suggested that nurses give the best patient care when operating at the peak of their wellness! So practising self-care is a win-win situation for your health & career.
Tips on how to implement self-care
Take a look at these tips to help you get started on your self-care journey or take you on the road to prioritising it.
The Day shifts
Self-care before, during, and after a day shift is vital to keep you fresh and active throughout the day and less exhausted at the end of the day.
So here is the tip, take little steps and go with the flow. Take your time to set the goals that work for you and fit easily into your lifestyle because self-care will vary from nurse to nurse.
Try out any of these things to get you started:
- Spend time with your loved ones or give them a call since you were out working the whole day.
- Wash your face with cold water during breaks.
- Eat something nutritious while listening to a podcast.
- Get in comfy pyjamas, light some candles, and do your skin care.
- Get all the necessary rest and sleep that your body deserves.
- Try out this meditation and thank us later.
The Night Shifts
Frequent NHS Nurses night shift is standard for many nurses. Here is how you can deal with them with the help of self-care:
- Disconnect from technology and screens. Be present.
- Going on a walk now and then and staying hydrated is a must.
- Spend time journaling before you sleep after a long night of working shifts.
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4 Resources For Self-Care Practices
If you struggle to practise self-care, these resources will not only help but turn out to be life-changing.
Books
Books are the easiest to carry, and you do not need the internet to access them. They are perfect for nurses since they are stress busters and give you a relaxed escape.
You can easily fit books into your lifestyle by carrying them around. It will encourage you to read on your way to work, during breaks, or before going to sleep. Here are a few books to get you started on your self-care journey. They are impactful and easy to read.
- Healing is the new high – Vex King
- Good vibes, Good life – Vex King
- The ABCs of Self-love – Melody Godfred
- The Becoming Journal – Michelle Obama
Podcasts
Podcasts are amazing self-care tools because they are portable and productive. The best part is you can listen to them while cooking, doing laundry, walking, eating, and sleeping! You get the gist. You can hear people talk about the topics that interest you, inform you, entertain you, and keep you updated.
Some podcasts on self-care are- Selfie– by Kristen Howerton, Self-Care Sunday with Kayley Reed, and The Science of Self-Care.
Youtube Videos
Here are a few helpful youtube videos that talk about self-care for nurses and taking care of yourself.
Apps
4 apps to have fun. Try them out to see which one aligns with your self-care goals.
- Calm – If you struggle to sleep, meditate or relax, this app can help you with everything. Plus, it is free of cost.
- Headspace – From meditation for beginners to mindful workouts, headspace can get you through it and eventually form habits that make you a conscious, spiritual, and healthy nurse.
- Ten Percent Happier – This app will make you 100 percent healthier. It is the Dalai Lama’s Guide to Happiness. After all, it is our motive to keep our nurses happy.
- ClassPass – ClassPass gives you a free trial for all kinds of classes. You can book one and go to these classes on your days off. It is a great way to spend time.
Mistakes to avoid
Achieving the perfect self-care routine as a nurse can become overwhelming. Here are a few mistakes you should avoid.
- Not Planning- Try to plan and set boundaries for your schedule. Prioritise your self-care over other things which drain your energy.
- Imitating-What works for others may not work for you. Look for inspiration and include self-care in your nursing life like a missing puzzle.
- Being hard on yourself- If you cannot follow up on your schedule, that is okay. Make self-care fun and stress-free. After all, that is the entire point of practising self-care.
Take care!
Practising self-care on an occasional basis can change your life. It is as promising as it sounds. Remember, self-care in your personal and professional life is of utmost importance, so make sure you are taking care of yourself! Hope this blog encourages you to put self-care in the spotlight of your nursing life.
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