Nurses are always incredibly busy. No matter what kind of nursing they do, their work involves long hours, a fast pace, high-stress situations, and barely any time to catch a break.
Nurses choose this profession because they love it. They have a passion for medicine, enjoy helping others, and feel they can make a real difference. But nursing comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to maintaining personal health. Nurses often struggle to find time to eat properly, are emotionally drained, lack time for exercise (outside of what’s required on the job), and face the difficulty of juggling work and home life. Thankfully, there are some tips to help busy nurses lead healthier lives.
Sitting down for a full, home-cooked meal might be impossible during a shift. However, going long periods without eating isn’t great, especially when you need energy to stay alert. For busy nurses, having easy-to-grab snacks is crucial for those hectic shifts, which can feel like every shift. Instead of reaching for chips, try including healthier options that won’t leave you feeling sluggish, such as fruits, veggies, or snacks with a longer shelf life that you can store in a drawer or locker. If you have the time, you can even prepare your own quick and healthy snacks.
Nursing takes a toll not just on your physical health but your mental well-being too. Nurses often try to keep an emotional distance from their patients, but certain cases can be hard to handle. It’s not just losing a patient that’s tough; it’s also witnessing their loved ones’ grief and looking to you for support. This emotional burden, combined with physical exhaustion, can be heavy even for experienced nurses. That’s why it’s vital to take a few mental health breaks each day. Making this a regular practice can pay off in the long run and make it easier to cope during tough times.
Despite the physically demanding nature of nursing, additional exercises might seem overwhelming for nurses who already suffer from knee pain, back pain, and sore feet due to their job. Surprisingly, a bit more exercise can actually help. Strengthening your muscles can improve how well they handle the demands of your work. You don’t need to commit to running marathons, but fitting in some strength exercises during your free time can keep you healthier both on and off the job. Plus, extra exercise is great for mental health.
Given how much nurses do for others, it’s crucial they take time for themselves too. This is important for everyone, but especially for nurses who often neglect their own needs. Not looking after your own health can lead to severe physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion, which can impact job performance and personal life. If you find yourself feeling drained, take steps to look after your health by finding ways to prevent burnout and leaning on your support system at work and home.
The nursing field has evolved quite a bit over the years. With advancements like electronic health records, improved diagnostics, and smarter alarm systems, the job is more sophisticated but also comes with a steep learning curve and new challenges. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the stress, find ways to treat yourself. Everyone has a different idea of a treat, so figure out what relaxes you and make time for it. You deserve to reward yourself for all you do.
It’s tough not to bring work home, especially if you’re on-call. A nurse’s work life often spills into their personal life, making it difficult to disconnect. Improvements in nurse-to-patient ratios are helping with staffing issues, but there’s often still work to do after shifts end. To strike a better work-life balance, try making a simple commitment to change your thought process. It can make a significant difference.
Many health professionals struggle to recognize and diagnose their own health issues. For nurses, it boils down to snacking healthily, taking mental health breaks, exercising a bit, doing something just for yourself, and striving for a work-life balance. Mental health is as critical as physical health, and maintaining it is better than trying to fix poor health later on. So if you’re a nurse, remember to focus on your own health too. And if you know a nurse, remind them to take some time for themselves as well.