The Gift of Self-Care

 In a recent article from an Advance for Nurses article (nursing.advanceweb.com) by

Joan M. Lorenz, RN, PMHCNS-BC entitled “Making a Self-Care Plan,” the author shares the following rhyme that most likely reflects our experience at some point in our lives:

“Old Nurse Hubbard

                                                              Went to her cupboard
                                                      To refuel her tired body and brain
                                                                 When she got there
                                                                The cupboard was bare
                                                    So poor Nurse Hubbard stayed tired and drained.

Lorenz elaborates on this poem as follows:  “The work of nursing is caring for others.  In addition, many of us also tend to our families and neighbors.  Focusing on others and their welfare often causes us to lose sight of ourselves and our needs.  If we disregard ourselves long enough, our emotional cupboards become bare and when we go there we find nothing to sustain us.  There is a quirky little contradiction we need to address about ourselves and our work- to best care for others we must first care for ourselves.”

 Lorenz reminds us that as nurses we know well the technique of developing care plans for our patients.  Those us of who have been around awhile, remember the days we had to write individualized care plans for each patient in the Kardex.   Today’s care plans are now hard-wired in the computer system and we simply click away on the various categories that are pertinent to each patient.  As we assess our patients throughout the day, our brains are updating changes in the care plan, often without our even being aware of it.  We just do it and go with the flow of what is needed for the patient.  We evaluate the patient’s status and make changes when needed. 

The author poses the following question:  “How many of us use this [care plan method] when addressing situations in our own lives? How often do we take time to devote our expertise in systemic assessment and goal setting to write a care plan for something in our lives we would like to change?  Most likely, not often enough- if ever.  However, if we did, we might see more goal achievement in our lives and enjoy ourselves more.”

In taking time for self, it is necessary to overcome the idea that this objective is “selfish.”  Rather, it should be viewed as “self-nurturing.”(Lorenz)  If our reserves are depleted, our well becomes dry and we are not able to care for others with a compassionate heart.  Other obstacles to overcome are “lack of time” and a feeling of being negatively judged by others in our attempts to become more balanced.

We must prioritize time in our lives for self-assessment:

·        Am I getting enough sleep?

·        Do I eat a healthy diet?

·        Do I have a regular exercise routine?

·        Do I pray/meditate on a regular basis?

·        Do I journal my inner feelings, my blessings, and my life experiences?

·        Do I take time for creative expression (art, music, writing, photography)?

·        Do I plan some leisure time?

·        Do I pamper myself (an occasional massage or pedicure, a shopping spree, a dinner night out)?

·        Do I maintain a positive approach to life?

The Self-Care blog lists are infinite and offer a plethora of self-care strategies for maintaining a holistic balance of life.  One blog, Healthy Living, in a post entitled, “Taking Time for Self-Care,” shares that “self-care is taking the time to do things that nourish your body and mind.  It is important that we all take time to pamper ourselves every day.  When we don’t take time  for self-care and prioritize our happiness, it can result in making mistakes, procrastination, and crankiness.  The first step to self-care is to evaluate where you are putting your time and energy.  You can’t help others and do everything for everyone else if you never do anything for yourself.  You will be more productive and useful if you take time for yourself.  This may mean that you have to learn to say “no” to people, delegate more and/or cut some activities out completely so that you can have time for yourself.”

Last week I took a poll on my nursing unit to ask about self-care strategies.  I posed the following question:
What self-care strategies do you maintain in your life to assure a holistic balance of life that will make you a better caregiver at work?  The following statements were shared:

·        Whenever I feel fatigued, I take a stretch break or walk a couple laps in the hall.

·        I get plenty of sleep.

·        I try to eat healthy. 

·        I do not watch medical shows on TV when I get home from work.

·        I jog at least four times a week.

·        I listen to soft music before I go to bed.

·        I plan a trip to the beach over a long weekend and I sit for hours watching the waves.

·        I take nature walks with my camera and look for photo ops of God’s beauty.

·        When I get stressed, I pause and take a few deep breaths.

·        I strive to stay faithful to prayer times.

·        I have a gratitude journal.

·        My husband and I go out for dinner at least once a week.

The self-care imperative is certainly nothing new to any of us.  With any care plan in life, it takes prioritization.  Perhaps it is time, as we approach the New Year, to go away for awhile to a quiet place (as Jesus did quite frequently), and journal our life experiences of self-care over the past year.  Let us jot down what we did well, what we did not do so well, what needs to be scratched and what needs to be initiated. 

“So, take care of yourself.

You deserve it

and so do your patients!!!!

 

                    Healthy Diet and Exercise
               



 

Journaling
Leisure
Prayer
Music

 

 

 

“The Lord Is My Pace Setter”

 

The Lord is my pace setter…I shall not rush.

He makes me stop for quiet intervals.

He provides me with images of stillness which restores my serenity.

He leads me in the way of efficiency through calmness of mind and his guidance is peace.

Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day, I will not

fret, for his presence is here.

His timelessness, his all importance will keep me in balance.

He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity by anointing my mind

with his oils of tranquility.

My cup of joyous energy overflows.

Truly harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours for I shall

walk in the Pace of my Lord and dwell in his house for ever.

 

A version of the twenty-third psalm from Japan

Taken from Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World  (Joanna Weaver)