Being a nurse is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also demanding and stressful. With long shifts, changing schedules, heavy workloads, and the emotional toll of caring for patients, maintaining a work-life balance as a nurse can be a real challenge. However, achieving a better balance between your personal and professional life is essential for your health, happiness, and ability to provide the best possible care to your patients. Here are 10 tips for finding balance as a busy nurse:
1. Set Boundaries
Be clear with yourself and others about your availability and boundaries. Turn off work email notifications during your off hours. Let friends and family know when you have downtime versus when you need to focus on work. Say no to extra shifts when you’re feeling burnt out. Protect your time off.
2. Take Regular Breaks
Don’t wait until you’re exhausted. Take a few minutes throughout your shift to drink water, stretch your legs, eat a snack, or simply take some deep breaths. Short breaks help you recharge so you can dive back into work mode.
3. Leave Work at Work
Avoid the temptation to finish up charting or follow up on work issues when you’re home. Mentally unplug by changing out of your scrubs and leaving work behind until your next shift. Make time for things you enjoy outside of work.
4. Get Plenty of Quality Sleep
Nurses are notoriously bad at skimping on sleep. But adequate rest helps boost your mood, focus, patience, and ability to handle stress. Make sleep a priority by maintaining good sleep hygiene habits like limiting caffeine, establishing a relaxing pre-bed routine, and keeping your bedroom cool and dark.
5. Eat Healthy Foods
Fuel your body with nutrient-dense whole foods when possible. Complex carbs, proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats give you lasting energy. Stay hydrated, and limit sugar and processed foods that cause crashes. Meal prep or pack healthy snacks to eat during shifts.
6. Practice Mindfulness
Quiet your monkey mind through simple mindfulness practices like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga. Even 5 minutes can lower stress. Stay present in the moment to avoid dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
7. Foster Work Relationships
You spend a lot of time at work, so having solid relationships with coworkers is key for your happiness. Make time to bond, laugh, and support one another. Have lunch together or chat at shift change to build camaraderie.
8. Exercise and Move
Engage in regular physical activity to boost your mood, relieve stress, and increase stamina for long shifts. Aim for 20-30 minutes daily if possible. Walk, lift weights, swim, take an exercise class, or bike – whatever you enjoy!
9. Pursue Passions and Hobbies
What energizes you outside of work? Gardening, reading, hiking, playing an instrument, or scrapbooking? Make time for passions that reduce stress and bring you joy. Set goals and prioritize hobbies that feed your spirit.
10. Set Healthy Expectations
No one can be 100% on 100% of the time. Recognize your limits, and don’t beat yourself up over them. Set realistic expectations for what you can achieve in a day, and learn when you need to ask for help. You deserve grace.
Finding Balance as a Busy Nurse allows you to be the best nurse possible while enjoying your life outside of work. What small changes can you make today to find more fulfillment, health, and joy while living your purpose as a nurse?