Challenge Tips

Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation - Find Your Balance Challenge - Day 7 Tip - Are You Getting A Restorative Break?

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Welcome to day 7 of the Find Your Balance challenge.

Nurses are notorious for skipping meals and breaks because there’s so much to do. But not having breaks can put you at risk because you become exhausted, overtired, or overwhelmed. And when you reach that point, the care you provide to patients suffers too. Read more about the Case for Taking a Break.

Try to take breaks whenever you can and make them as restorative as possible:

Rest with your eyes closed or nap (if allowed by your employer).
Meditate or reflect on the good in your life.
Take a walk outdoors.
Find a cheerful, sunny, or peaceful place to relax.
Take the ultimate break-go on vacation! You earned that vacay time-now use it.

Are you able to take breaks at your workplace? Let us know in our discussion or on Facebook.

Find this helpful? Use the social share links on this page to share it with a nurse you know .

Missed day 6? Catch up here. Get a sneak peek at day 8.

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Blog Challenge Tips 06/17/2019 7:50am CDT

Added by Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation (HNHN)

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4 Comments

Dr Charlotte C. Cabello Sep '21

Taking a break to breathe during those moments of quiet during a busy shift has been a life saver for me. I try to balance a healthy snack with the occasional pieces of chocolate to get through a crazy moment. We also remind each other to take time to eat a proper meal or hydrate when it is especially chaotic.

Helen Ali Sep '21

Easier said than done, I am guilty of not taking enough breaks but when I do, I enjoy them. I try to do a small act of self care which can vary from reading something motivational to prepping myself a healthy meal. A little act can go a long way.

Raelyn Gomonit Sep '21

Whenever I can, I try to go sit somewhere quiet during my break and I close my eyes or take that power nap, the unwelcome feeling is when the alarm goes off and it's time to go back to work even when my body and mind says return to napping.....:)

Mrs Sheena D Pracyk, RN Sep '21

I am a huge fan of micro-breaks. Fitting in a solid 30 minutes would be wonderful but unrealistic for many of us. Fitting in 5-10 minutes a few times a day can sometimes also equal 30 minutes but in a more achievable plan of action. The shift comes from realizing how important and beneficial those little 5 minute breaks are. Whether it's stepping outside for a few minutes of fresh air in the sun, Standing up in the office to do some much needed lower back and shoulder stretches or finding a quiet spot to do a few minutes of deep breathing or to plug in some music and envision yourself somewhere else. Every one of those examples can help your relax and reset your stress level which is a huge positive tool to have in your wellbeing toolkit. Taking those 10 minutes to get something nutritious to eat and something to drink, also a really positive use of your time. Instead of working through lunch when it looks like you can't get your full break time, stop and assess What would be needed to actually make the time to take the break? Or, what would it take to have time to take the break time in shorter more achievable bites. As today's topic highlights it is all about taking restorative breaks when you need them and even when your think you don't.

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