Yoga This, Yoga That: Why We Need to Rethink Nurse Well-Being by Marla J, Weston, PhD, RN, FAAN

Yoga This, Yoga That: Why We Need to Rethink Nurse Well-Being by Marla J, Weston, PhD, RN, FAAN

Maybe it’s because it’s January, but every day I seem to read another article or blog post about how to stay healthy and?build resilience?as a nurse. Between the recommendations to practice yoga?(which I do and love by, the way), exercise regularly, eat a Mediterranean diet or a paleo diet or a high protein diet?(which is it?), journal, meditate, spend time in nature, socialize with friends, volunteer… Well, I’m now completely stressed out and overwhelmed!

All in all, the answer is simple, really. It’s not about yoga or any of these other things. It’s about doing something—anything—where you disconnect from work. This disconnection allows for a whole life: one of robustly enjoying both work and time away from work. For those of us in leadership positions, the most important work we can do to support nurse well-being may very well be teaching our colleagues about the importance of disconnecting from work.

Also read:?Preparing for the Profound Challenges of 2023: Lessons Learned, Looking Ahead

For a profession driven by the desire to make a difference for others and grounded in the assumptions of self-sacrifice, our most important work as leaders is to transform the culture to one in which?nurse well-being?is core. I’ve long envisioned the possibility of young people entering the profession because nursing is work where you can both make a difference and be among the healthiest members of society (which, unfortunately, is in direct contrast to nursing’s current state).

Physiologically,?we get a?dopamine?and?serotonin?boost?when we help others, making us feel good and want to do more. Messages like “I know you’re swamped, but there is no one else to do this” becomes a call to dig deep, and we feel legitimately good about pitching in until the cost of all this sacrifice generates a feeling of resentment. You’re repeatedly asked to do more, to sacrifice other important parts of your life, and then both work and even time doing things for yourself begin to feel more like a chore than pleasure.

The cornerstone of resentment is unfairness. When we are constantly asked to say yes to doing more than seems fair, fight-or-flight triggers flare in our brains. So repeated, reluctant yeses inevitably contribute to nurses feeling spent and?burnt out.?

As leaders, we often face a double burden of feeling the need to say yes even if we know full well that we should say no, and ask others to do more even when those we lead are being unfairly tasked. This may be one of the primary reasons why so many of our younger colleagues find the idea of a leadership role unpalatable. Certainly, as we assume?leadership?roles, we agree to serve as servant leaders, but when that contribution cascades into being overburdened and devolves into resentment of team members with an attitude of “I’m giving 100%, why can’t they?” is a sure signal that it is time to back off.

The marker for nurse well-being for all of us is: are we doing what we are doing—whether it is work or activities to keep us well—from a place of making a difference or of obligation? Yes, we all can lean in during tough times and give a bit more than we’d like, but not for endless periods of time.

If you start feeling hints of resentment towards the undeniably crucial work that you do, then it might be time to back off and disconnect.

No amount of yoga can cure that.

Olga Turner

Assistant Clinical Professor

2 年

This is a very insightful. Taking time to disconnect from work to do anything that makes one feel rejuvenated is important, whether it’s yoga or art or a walk in nature. But self-care is only one piece of the puzzle. There is so much that needs to happen within the workplace. For instance, while many younger nurses may love the 12-hour shifts, more seasoned nurses may find them too long and exhausting and feel the need to leave the bedside as the hours are too much. Why not offer 8-hour shifts or split shifts? Many nurses don’t take their breaks. There is no one to cover, lunches get interrupted, or they feel that they just can’t leave their patients. Give them breaks and let them leave the unit to get a breath of fresh air. Is 7a to 7p really the optimal shift hours? The day shift can’t get a decent breakfast most times and can’t give the kids off on the school bus, or see them for dinner to tuck them in. The night shift usually doesn’t get enough sleep, still can’t see their kids off to school or tuck them in. Who has time for exercise or yoga or preparing healthy meals? Why not do 9a to 9p? See how that would change the lifestyle?

Kay Kennedy

CEO @ uleadership, LLC; Human-Centered Leader in Healthcare; Executive Leadership

2 年

Marla, You're making a great point. Learning the discipline of caring for yourself and setting boundaries is of upmost importance.

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