Any nurse can stress the importance of physical health, but it’s not often that we take the time to focus on our own physical and mental well being. July being Self-Care Month, we at KPG wanted to remind our hard working nurses that taking the time to practice self-care will manifest itself in your mental, physical, and even occupational life.
Physical
- Sleep – Getting sufficient sleep is vital, it’s when your brain has time to repair the body and grow. Go to bed early tonight, set a sleep schedule, or take a nap, just be sure you’re giving your body time to rest.
- Exercise – Healthy body, healthy mind. Exercising is not only important for your health, but it makes you feel good, too. A great way to try different workout classes and gyms is through Class Pass which allows you to book sessions or drop ins at many different studios.
- Declutter – Having a clean environment boosts health and productivity. Take some time to declutter something – your house, your room, your desk, anything!
- Take a bath – Now that you’ve cleaned your space, clean yourself! Decompress after a long day with a classic bubble bath. Feel free to add some candles and a bath bomb for extra pampering.
- Skin care – What’s better than clear skin? A great self-care tip is adding a skincare routine to your morning or night. The act of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing every day can be therapeutic and your skin will love the attention!
- Get outside – A little sunshine can go a long way. Take a walk, go to the beach, or find a tree to relax under, it doesn’t matter what you choose to do so long as you’re getting the fresh air. Just don’t forget to apply sunscreen!
- Eat something green – We’ve told you how to take care of yourself on the outside, now focus on the inside! Making sure to get a healthy meal or snack in can be just what your body needed to re-energize or cleanse.
Mental
- Read a book – When your world gets too stressful, take an hour and escape to another. Reading a few pages of a book every day expands your vocabulary, memory, concentration, and is a generally good stress reliever.
- Positive affirmations – Another way to care for the mind is with positive affirmations. These should be short sayings you can repeat to yourself throughout the day to keep your mind cleared and your mood positive. They can be as simple as “I never give up” or “I forgive myself for not being perfect because I am human.” Tailor them to your own needs and believe them when you say them.
- Meditate – As a long practiced tool to reduce stress, increase concentration, and promote self awareness. Take a few minutes in the morning or before bed to revel in the quiet or follow a guided meditation, you can find these online or sign up for one at a local temple.
- Turn off social media – Social media is great for keeping us connected to family, friends, and the rest of the world but it often leaves you wishing you were on vacation instead of working. Take a week, day, or even an afternoon off from social media to focus on your own life and not worry about everyone else’s.
- Control your breathing – Whether you’re stressed at work or relaxing at home, breathing is a wonderful thing to focus on and an easy way to practice self-care from anywhere. Remember to take a moment to focus on your breathing and take a few deep breaths each day, this will calm you down, allow you to focus better, and get the oxygen you body needs to keep you going through your busy day.
- Designate “me” time – If you don’t think you have time for yourself or you know you’ll forget to make some, schedule it ahead! Pencil “me” time into your calendar or set an alert on your phone and be sure to treat it like an important engagement: be on time for yourself and don’t cancel!
- Write – Writing is a great way to clear your mind. Add an entry to your journal, start one, or even just jot down a quick list of the things you’re grateful for. A great entry idea is writing which of these self-care tips you’re going to use and adhere to!
As a nurse, you’re constantly taking care of others. Take this post as a reminder to do a little care-taking for yourself. Whether it’s with one of the ideas on our list or one of your own, try to implement some form of self-care into your daily routine, at the very least for the remainder of this month. We’d love to hear about how you’re focusing on self-care! Let us know in a comment or tag us in a post on Instagram, you can catch us at @KPGHealthcare!