Taking Care of Yourself

You tell your patients to take care of themselves through exercise and healthy eating. Now it’s time to take your own advice. Read on to learn more about how you can incorporate a healthy lifestyle into your day.

• Exercise your right to be fit!

  Nearly all of us—especially nurses—know exercise is good for our physical and mental health. But incorporating it into our busy lives can be a challenge. The only types of exercise some nurses have time for are working long shifts, juggling life’s demands, balancing the books,… Read more…

• From our readers…One nurse’s journey through grief: Loss of a Fort Hood family member

  Special reports were on practically every news station during the afternoon of November 5th 2009; a shooting had taken place at the Fort Hood Army Base in Killeen Texas. With the television remote in one hand and a cell phone in the other, while watching… Read more…

• From our readers…Talking to patients about a “weighty” issue: Are you ready?

  As the prevalence of obesity in the United States continues to rise, no doubt more of your patients are having weight issues that complicate their medical conditions and are receiving “lose weight” prescriptions from their healthcare providers. Although you may have no trouble explaining to… Read more…

• Mantram repetition: A portable, mindful, contemplative practice for the workplace

  Learn how this simple practice can ease stress. Read more…

• Writing for good health

  Expressive writing can be a coping tool for nurses. Read more…

• Examing nurse comfort eating

  Many years ago I found myself standing in the frozen food section flirting with the prospect of buying a mouth-watering strawberry cheesecake. I rationalized buying it by convincing myself I would eat only one small piece. So there I was later, being a couch potato… Read more…

• From our readers: One nurse’s journey into patienthood

  It’s not easy for nurses to be on the other side of the bed. Read more…

• From our readers…How focusing on spiritual needs benefits the nurse

  Meeting spiritual needs is important both patients—and nurses. Read more…

• Compassion fatigue: Are you at risk?

  For many of us, nursing isn’t just what we do; it’s who we are. Most of us became nurses because we care about people and want to make a difference in their lives. Over time, nurses develop a nursing intuition and a working knowledge of… Read more…

• From our readers: When your parent is the patient

  It’s not easy when your parent is the patient. In my 10 years of being a registered nurse, I have learned a lot, seen a lot, and considered myself desensitized to the information and knowledge that comes with being a nurse. I have been a… Read more…

• Walking the labyrinth: An exercise in self-healing

  A labyrinth walk can soothe your stress, deepen your spirituality, and even lower your respiratory rate.
  Read more…