Being a nurse involves focusing on the health and wellbeing of others. Qualities such as compassion and empathy, altruism and care are all essential. However, while excellent nursing requires all of these attributes, there is also the risk that all energy is being focused on other people, leading to the neglect of your own individual needs. It’s vital to make sure that you’re as aware of your own self care as much as that of others, and thus the team here at Last Call Healthcare have put together some tips that will help you refocus on your own health when necessary:


Make sure you leave work at work- The pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic, concern over patient wellbeing and anxiety over all of the uncertainty within the healthcare industry at this point can make it difficult to switch off at the end of the day. However, it’s essential that you’re not taking work home with you so that you have time to refresh, rest and recharge. Do things that ground you when you’re not at work, whether that’s seeing friends, walking in nature or simply having some ‘me time’. Allow yourself to completely switch off from all of your work responsibilities whenever possible.

Exercise is key- There are many benefits to staying active for both your physical and mental wellbeing. As a result, you should factor this into your daily commute where possible by, for example, cycling, or sign up for online yoga or fitness classes so that you can utilise your internal space when outdoor exercise is not possible. However, where you can, outdoor exercise can be especially beneficial, whether that’s running, walking or swimming as it helps clear the mind and solely focus all of your energy on your own self-improvement. 

Review your diet-If you’re lacking in energy, feeling low or constantly hungry, then changes to the way you eat could be enormously beneficial to your overall health. Busy lifestyles and long hours can often see us reaching for food that is filled with processed sugar, trans and saturated fats. Although they can deliver a short high or a comfort food feeling they don’t have the energy release your body needs and can negatively impact productivity and concentration. Instead, switch to fresh, whole foods with plenty of protein, fruit and vegetables.

Don’t ignore your emotions- One of the quickest ways to get overwhelmed by your feelings is to try and ignore them. If you’re working long hours in hard conditions, it’s natural to feel stressed, anxious and overburdened. Make space for these feelings, and talk to others where possible to ensure that you aren't carrying around any additional mental baggage that could negatively impace your frame of mind, work and social relationships.

Take time out for yourself- This means putting your own self-care at the top of your agenda to protect your ongoing ability to contribute to your place of work and others. Take a clear look at situations you’re being involved in that you don’t need to be part of, where you’re taking on too much responsibility or have allowed your time to be wasted. Start learning to say ‘no’ to the things you don’t need to do so that you can say yes to the things you do.

Self-care is essential for nurses to be able to carry out their roles and responsibilities to the highest lvel possible, especially during the trying times that all healthcare workers have experienced over the last year. To find out more about how to cope with feelings of stress and fatigue, read our blog ‘How to stay energised during your shift’ for more tips and information.