You know how grueling our nursing shifts can be, right? Well, there was a time when I found myself completely worn out, not looking forward to work, and barely enjoying the things that used to make me happy. It's a familiar story for many of us in healthcare, and I was no exception. It hit me hard when I realized just how many of us are struggling. I mean, the CDC says that a whopping 93% of healthcare workers feel stretched too thin. And here I was, sleeping all I could, yet still feeling tired all the time. Something had to change.
Sadly, we all know those nurses. You work with them. You might be one of them. I know I was.
How I Stumbled Upon Mindfulness
Mindfulness sounded like just another buzzword at first, but I was desperate for a change. It’s really about being fully present, aware of what we’re doing and how we’re feeling right at the moment. I decided to give it a shot, trying out different things like guided imagery, breathwork, and just generally tuning into my body and thoughts. I started focusing on mindful meditation. During those super stressful shifts, I’d take a moment to just breathe deeply and center myself. I even started seeing a therapist, which helped me deal with stuff I couldn’t handle on my own. These little changes started making a big difference.
Getting into Meditation
I downloaded a meditation app—best decision ever! It helped me sort out my sleep issues, handle stress better, and improve my overall self-awareness. It’s super convenient because you can keep guided exercises right on your phone and pull them up whenever you need a quick mental reset.
Talking to a Therapist
Opening up to a therapist felt like admitting defeat at first, but it was actually incredibly relieving.
Finding the right therapist felt more like gaining a supportive partner in my mental health journey. It’s tough for us nurses to admit we can’t fix everything ourselves, but getting that support was a game-changer.
Fitting Mindfulness Into My Shifts
And you know how our breaks are—barely long enough to catch our breath. I started making it a point to spend just five minutes of my break doing some mindfulness exercises. Sometimes it was just stepping outside or closing my eyes in the breakroom. Keeping it short made it doable, and it really helped me stay calm and focused for the rest of the day.
Honestly, tackling burnout and fatigue has been tough, but embracing mindfulness has brought some much-needed energy and joy back into my life. It sounds a bit cheesy, but trying out these small things really can make a big difference. Give it a shot, who knows? It might just change your outlook like it did mine.