Self-Care Techniques
Self Care How-to:
Implementing a self-care routine requires you to do the following:
SCHEDULE time to take care of yourself and don't give it up!
Make it a priority
Set and keep healthy boundaries
Practicing self-care:
Can be short and simple -like taking a deep breath - OR -
Can be time-intensive or complicated - like taking a month-long backpacking trip through Europe.
The best and most productive self-care techniques are a purposeful combination of short "in-the-moment" types and longer, scheduled times.
Start with daily activities
Schedule weekly activities
Plan for monthly or bi-monthly activities
Work up to yearly activities
Setting Boundaries
Setting healthy boundaries starts with
Self-awareness
knowing yourself
knowing what you need
knowing where you need to grow.
Know and believe that you - as a person - matter!!
Believe it is OKAY to say no
Learn how to say no:
"No" is a complete sentence.
Be assertive - use kind but firm words
Keep your spaces safe:
Physical spaces
Emotional spaces
Mental spaces
Reach out to a mental health professional if needed. There is no shame.
Self-care Activities
Self-care looks different for everyone. Sometimes what helps one day will not help the next day. This is why it's good to have a variety of go-to options when things get tough. It's also why it's important to schedule time for self-care before things get tough.
Here are some things to ask yourself to help figure out what you could do:
What makes you happy?
What helps you relax?
When can you take a deep breath and know that everything is going to be okay?
Still not sure where to start?
Spend time considering the activities you gravitate toward when you have time available.
When do you feel the most energized? The most relaxed?
What were you doing then - or right before then?
Remember, self-care is all-encompassing. Sometimes we need downtime to recharge, sometimes we need social interaction to recharge, and sometimes we need to go back to the basics - showers, meals, or sleep.
Self-care activities can be expensive or free. They can be isolated or a combination of the following:
Physical
Go for a walk / hike
Ride a bike
Go swimming
Ask for a hug / physical touch
Take a bath/shower
Mental
Read a book
Learn something new (activity / hobby)
Take an interesting class
Color
Emotional
Start a journal
Go on a date
Practice mindful gratitude (jar of thankfulness)
Talk to a friend
You can also visit this website for 50 self-care ideas:
Don't forget the importance of therapy - they can engage physical, mental and emotional activity to improve overall health.
Talk Therapy / psychotherapy (CBT, DBT, counseling)
Life coaches
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Speech and Language Therapy
Massage Therapy
Accupuncture Therapy
Therapy: Not for "crazy people"
Why should nurses (or anyone) go to therapy?
You learn more about how you respond subconsciously to people or situations and a great way to
You learn coping strategies or techniques geared toward your own strengths and weaknesses -
Learn how to use your strengths in a difficult situation
Learn how to strengthen your weaknesses to reduce stressful situations
You learn how to improve yourself as a person
Which improves your relationships, your families, and your career.
Here's a short story from another nurse who outlines the benefit of therapy for her, how it has helped her, and how it helps her connect with her patients.
Meet Tara Fink, RN
For more resources or information on therapy services, please look here.