Nurses play an integral role in today’s healthcare sector by improving patient outcomes and providing the best possible care. As the population ages and chronic diseases become prevalent, it’s not surprising to see nurses flourish in a high-demand and high-paying job market.
However, at the same time, it’s important to keep in mind that the rewards of this career come at a cost. Nurses encounter several different tasks throughout the day, such as administration, patient examination, and patient treatment. Consequently, it’s not uncommon to see nurses mentally and physically exhausted. This situation can be extremely dangerous for patients as well as nurses’ own careers and their health. Therefore, as a nurse, you must pay attention to your physical and mental health to provide better patient care. To help you with this purpose, here are five tips to take care of your overall well-being.
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Continue your education
Nurses with limited education and experience are unable to work efficiently and thus are prone to the stress and burnout caused by tough workloads. After all, inexperienced nurses lack the skill and knowledge to effectively take care of the several tasks they may be responsible for. In contrast, nurses with advanced qualifications are equipped with impressive skillsets and are aware of better techniques to perform their jobs efficiently. More importantly, advanced qualifications make you eligible for better nursing positions where you may not have to work as much as you do now.
Hence, pursuing higher education in nursing is one of the best decisions you can take to balance your life and advance your career. Transitioning from RN to MSN will allow you to sharpen your nursing skills and learn new work practices to reduce your workload. However, if you think such a program will be challenging for you, pursuing an online degree is always an option. So, enroll in an RN to MSN program online to make the upskilling process more manageable. Besides, online education is also more cost-effective than traditional learning since you don’t have to pay for commute and other on-campus expenses.
Exercise
Assisting ill or disabled patients, administering medicines, and conducting medical examinations, among other tasks without any rest, can be physically taxing on the human body. Without strengthening and maintaining your physical health, you can easily damage your body and develop health issues such as back pain and other musculoskeletal problems. Therefore, nurses must indulge in moderate exercise daily to stay fit. Doing so will improve your body’s stamina and strength to help you perform tiring work-related tasks.
Also, exercise not only improves your mental health. While indulging in physical activity, your brain produces endorphins that induce a feeling of positivity in your body, leading to a mood boost even when you’re stressed. Furthermore, you can also perform breathing exercises that help to reduce stress. For example, you can carry out belly breathing or alternate nostril breathing exercise to relieve stress. What’s best is that you can do breathing exercises at work with ease whenever you feel stressed.
Eat well
As a nurse, it should be your top priority to follow a balanced diet to maintain your overall well-being. While eating junk and fast food may seem to be appealing when you’re exhausted from work and don’t want to cook, you should be aware of its consequences. People working in demanding jobs, such as nursing, need to eat nutritious food to recover from fatigue and burnout. Without doing so, you will not only degrade your physical health, but may also develop mental health issues such as depression.
To follow a healthy diet, eat lentils, fish, vegetables, and fruits. Such a diet can also help you reduce inflammation, a common health problem in people working stressful jobs. What’s worse is that inflammation is strongly connected to depression. However, if you can’t get your ideal diet at your workplace, be sure to take your own meals from home. It’s never a good idea to compromise your health for your work.
It also goes without saying you should have regular visits with a physician and this dentist in woodbridge. You’re maybe a medical professional, but there are other medical experts who are more knowledgeable in some fields.
Set boundaries
Maintaining a work-life balance is especially important for staying healthy as nurses. Nurses giving too much time to their work harm their physical health and develop mental health issues because of sleepless nights and overtime. More importantly, the emotional stress arising from suffering patients often influences the personal life of nurses. Therefore, it’s crucial to set boundaries between your professional and personal life to maintain a work-life balance.
To do so, try to give yourself some leisure time by following a strict timetable for work. During your free time, give your mind a rest from work and indulge in activities you enjoy, such as your hobbies. Doing so will not only help to reduce your stress but will also keep you motivated enough to continue your job. Furthermore, it’s equally important to set aside some time for sleeping and following a healthy routine.
Socialize at your workplace
While following a healthy routine is essential for maintaining overall well-being, socializing at your workplace and developing healthy work relationships are equally important. As nurses spend most of their time at the workplace, staying isolated from colleagues can make the job even more challenging. In contrast, interacting with other healthcare professionals at your workplace can make your job more enjoyable.
More importantly, professional relations are essential to get the support needed to get through tough situations you encounter during your career. For example, nurses often provide emotional support to each other in stressful situations. Additionally, you may even find a mentor through social interaction. Mentors can teach you efficient techniques to perform your job and manage workloads. So, be sure to talk with your coworkers whenever you get the time to do so.
Conclusion
Improving patient outcomes and administrating a healthcare facility is no easy feat. As a nurse, you will have to carry out exhausting tasks daily and experience mentally stressful situations. However, while you cannot avoid the demanding nature of your job, you can ensure you maintain your physical and mental health. So, keep in mind to follow the tips above and safely advance in your career.
