Top Nurse Burnout Tips For The Holiday Stress

As we approach a traditionally hectic season, nurses are especially vulnerable to fatigue. However, with a few simple strategies in place, we can help combat this and reduce the risk of nurse burnout.

An alarming 2.7 MILLION nurses across the United States have reported feeling overwhelmed and burnt out, according to Nursing CE Central’s Nurse Burnout 2021 Survey. Also, an astonishing 91% even considered leaving or were actively searching for alternate jobs outside of nursing!

Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to reduce the potential for burnout. Here are a few tips to start with!

Listen To Your Body And Prioritize Self-Care

One of the most important tips for avoiding nurse burnout is prioritizing self-care. Listening to your body when tired or stressed is a crucial first step. This requires you to follow through and take the time to do something that recharges your battery.

Make sure you take breaks throughout your shift to give yourself a chance to rest, reflect, and disconnect from work. This can even be just sitting down in a quiet area for a few moments.

You don’t have to splurge on luxurious, expensive activities for self-care; even the simplest of things like wearing a cherished set of scrubs or gifting yourself something special for Christmas can work wonders.

Set Boundaries And Stick To Them

When it comes to preventing nurse burnout, it is also important to set boundaries and stick to them. This means learning how to say no when necessary and not overextending yourself. Prioritize tasks based on importance, delegate where possible, and be mindful of how much time you are spending on things.

Ask For Help

Everyone needs assistance at some point, and there is no shame in asking for it. No one should feel ashamed to ask for assistance, yet seeking help in the face of our highly individualistic society can be intimidating.

Working in healthcare can be a difficult job, often times it requires nurses to work with an incomplete staff and the day does not always unfold as planned. Before you find yourself overwhelmed by demands, reach out for assistance from your supervisor or other relevant personnel – don’t wait until you’ve reached the brink before expressing any grievances!

Get Better Sleep

Your sound sleep is a crucial component in maintaining both your physical and mental health. If you don’t receive an ample amount of restful slumber, it will adversely affect your physical and mental health.

Research has extensively explored the undeniable connection between sleep and our overall wellbeing. From job performance, to long-term stamina, mental health stability, and more – the quality of your rest directly affects many aspects of everyday life.

A lack of proper rest has been linked to a host of adverse issues, including motor coordination problems, cognitive impairments and even metabolic and cardiovascular illnesses. Studies suggest that getting “quality sleep” is one of the best ways for immune system to function at optimal level.

For these reasons, strive to get an adequate amount of sleep every day in order to reduce stress.

Join Nurse Burnout Groups

If you are feeling overwhelmed, joining a nurse burnout support group on Facebook can be especially helpful. Support groups provide an opportunity for individuals to connect with others and share their experiences in a safe and non-judgmental environment. These can be found both online and in person, so there is likely an option that works for everyone.

Eat Proper Balanced Meals

Your mental and physical wellbeing are intrinsically linked to the food you choose to eat. As a caregiver, it is important that your eating habits reflect this truth; meaning that in order for you to be at peak performance, small changes may need to occur in your daily routine. Focusing on meals that support stronger immunity levels should become an integral part of your culinary repertoire.

Stocking up on nutritious food items like fruits, vegetables, whole-grains and low-fat dairy products (like milk or yogurt) is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle! Make it your mission to incorporate more of these foods into your meals at home and work – you’ll be reaping the benefits in no time.

Takeaway

Nurses are especially at risk for burnout during this particularly challenging time of the year. Long shifts, increased patient loads, and other unavoidable demands can all contribute to exhaustion. As a result, burnout can be a catalyst for medical mistakes and, tragically, two nurses were arrested for negligence resulting in criminal charges.

However, by implementing these tips, creating healthier habits and setting boundaries you minimize your risks of burnout. Taking care of yourself is the best way to ensure that you remain in top physical and mental condition so that you can continue to provide excellent care to your patients!

Happy holidays!