This Year of the Nurse and Midwife is much more than we could have ever imagined. Today, May 1, 2020 kicks off Nurses Month and the American Nurses Association has organized the month into themes, with this first week focusing on self-care. Now more than ever, self-care for nurses can’t be emphasized enough as a high priority. Below you’ll find a round-up of advice from nurses.

Nutrition

“Take stock of your own dietary habits and make informed choices that promote optimal health.”
Linda Laskowski-Jones, MS, APRN, ACNS-BC, CEN, NEA-BC, FAWM, FAAN 
Healthy Eating: Food for Thought

“Always eat some kind of breakfast, preferably protein and low carb (you’ll avoid that mid-morning slump. My go-tos: hard-boiled egg, peanut butter on a piece of whole wheat bread, a scoop of cottage cheese with some fruit.)”
Shawn Kennedy, MA, RN, FAAN
Work-Life Balance: The Elusive Golden Ring

Sleep

“Don’t check email or social media or use a computer or tablet before bed (I know – it’s hard). Give yourself at least an hour to wind down before sleep.”
Shawn Kennedy, MA, RN, FAAN
Work-Life Balance: The Elusive Golden Ring

“Try to get 7 hours of sleep each night.”
Shawn Kennedy, MA, RN, FAAN
Work-Life Balance: The Elusive Golden Ring

Exercise

“…just how do you fit exercise into an already busy, exhausting schedule? My brother, an exercise physiologist says, that there are plenty of 15-minute opportunities in a day; 96 to be exact, so there’s no reason why you can’t be intentional about reserving at least one or two of them for yourself. It seems pretty achievable when you look at it that way, doesn’t it?”
Collette Bishop Hendler, RN, MS, MA, CIC
Hit the road…or the mat

“Move -- Twenty minutes a day of running, walking, cycling, etc., will help to dissipate the effects of stress. Regular exercise improves cardiovascular function, produces endorphins in the brain that result in improved mood, strengthens muscles, and improves tone.”
Gloria F. Donnelly, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, FCPP
Stress: The Elephant in Your Career

Spiritual well-being

“How are you caring for your spirit? Do you engage in spiritual renewal? A renewal experience is doing something you enjoy like a walk in nature or a hobby. I find renewal exercising with friends and playing the piano. For nurses of faith, attending a gathering in your worship tradition can be (should be!) a renewal experience.”
Kathy Schoonover-Shoffner, PhD, RN
Are You Soaring Spiritually?

Yoga

“To increase strength, endurance, and body tone, take 15 minutes to practice yoga. You don’t need to venture away from home to establish a regular practice. All you need is a yoga mat and some floor space to get started. There are online videos and apps to guide you through your practice. Yoga practice consists of different postures, referred to as asanas. During a practice session, you’ll use your breath to help guide you through the different postures, and you’ll focus on using core strength (referred to as mula bandha) to move energy through your body.”
Collette Bishop Hendler, RN, MS, MA, CIC
Hit the road…or the mat

Laughter

“Laugh – Humor provides release and helps put things in perspective. Most importantly, laugh at yourself even at your best efforts.”
Gloria F. Donnelly, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, FCPP
Stress: The Elephant in Your Career

Meditation & Imagery

“Your imagination can save you from revealing negativity, disapproval or even fear. Use fantasy to get yourself through difficult situations.”
Gloria F. Donnelly, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, FCPP
Stress: The Elephant in Your Career

Music

“Sing in the privacy of your car or the shower. Sing uplifting and inspirational songs that emphasize self-empowerment. Or download … songs on your phone and sing along or listen on your break. Music reorganizes the brain and the messages sung are uniquely remembered.”
Gloria F. Donnelly, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, FCPP
Stress: The Elephant in Your Career

“Listen to music on the way home from work. I find it helps me make that transition and I arrive home more relaxed.”
Shawn Kennedy, MA, RN, FAAN
Work-Life Balance: The Elusive Golden Ring

Personal Health

“Nurses may not follow recommended preventive and screening practices for a multitude of reasons. Shift work, long hours, limited paid time off, and an unpredictable schedule make it difficult to schedule appointments. As caregivers to the core, the needs and activities of our children, spouses, and parents become our focus during our non-working hours, and our own health care needs tend to take a backseat. But, in order to take care of our patients, as well as our families, we must make our own health a priority.”
Vicki Cantor, RN, BSN, MA
Protect yourself so you can continue to protect others