Self care within work

#selfcaresunday is a famous instagram hashtag. We often see posts about self care outside of work, but self care WITHIN work is just as important. Have a read of my top ten self care tips at work.

1)Learning to say no. No to overtime, no to the shift swaps that make your shift pattern awful, no to swapping annual leave. As nurses we are so guilty of always saying yes. We are caregivers, it’s within us to go above and beyond. Now, I’m not advising you to start saying no to everything, or not to be accommodating to your ward and colleagues, however it should never be at the detriment of your health. Establishing healthy boundaries at work is equally important.

2)Ask for help. It can be hard with everyone being so busy and not wanting to feel like a burden, but sometimes even the most simplest tasks like changing a bed needs two hands. The phrase “don’t struggle alone in silence” applies inside the workplace too. By asking for help we can alleviate some pressure, and reduce any feelings of anxiety; plus nursing is all about teamwork.

3)Speaking out about unsuitable shifts patterns. Tricky one right. We all know that nurse shift patterns particularly for those of us who are at the bedside, can be gruelling. However, if your shift patterns are beginning to effect your mental, physical and emotional well-being, broach conversation with management or occupational health. Poor staffing issues shouldn’t be managed with badly rostered shifts.

4)Addressing how people speak to you. When I was a NQN I used to stay silent about the way in which some people would address me. Later I’d think “why did I let that person be so rude?” The stresses and pressures of the job can sometimes result in people speaking (both intentionally and unintentionally) to you in ways that you may find offensive or impolite. However demands of the job isn’t an excuse for poor manners, and neither is “that’s just the way so and so is”. Pulling people aside privately or reminding people about politeness, and how they speak to you and others in the future is a necessity. If you don’t feel confident to do this, speak with your nurse in charge or management who may be able to have these sort of difficult conversations on behalf of you.

5)Lunch breaks alone; because sometimes all I want is peace and quiet. Don’t feel shy to go and sit on your own to have thirty minutes to yourself; sometimes it’s needed.

6)Taking your breaks. The number one nurse struggle but we need to make this a priority.

7)Going to the toilet. I’m forever telling myself “I’ll go in a minute” and I never do. However some tasks can genuinely wait. I’m trying to break this habit because UTI’s are real.

8)Drinking water and lots of it. Nurse life can honestly create some awful eating and drinking habits. We all know water is best, but coke and coffee is nicer. However small healthy changes lead to big healthy changes.

9)Checking emails strictly at work and muting work WhatsApp groups etc. If your role doesn’t require you to be within reach at any point in time then the work group chats, emails etc can wait until you’re IN work. Outside time is for you and however you want to spend it.

10)Avoid workplace gossip, drama, politics - anything toxic. Stay out of it.