Nursing requires constant attention, responsiveness, and decision-making. At the same time, today’s digital environment extends that demand beyond the workplace. Notifications, messages, emails, charting systems, social media, and endless streams of information can make it difficult to fully disconnect and mentally recover.
Over time, this constant exposure can contribute to cognitive overload, reduced focus, emotional fatigue, and difficulty transitioning between work and rest. These effects are often subtle but cumulative, shaping how nurses think, feel, communicate, and engage throughout the day.
Protecting mental energy is essential to sustaining performance, emotional balance, and quality of life. Creating intentional space away from constant digital input allows the brain to reset, improves concentration, and supports resilience in high-demand environments.
This ten-day challenge is designed to help you:
- Recognize how constant digital input affects mental energy
- Increase awareness of habits that contribute to overload
- Practice realistic ways to unplug and mentally reset
- Build sustainable boundaries that support focus and well-being
Each day offers one focused, practical action rooted in real nursing experiences. Through awareness, reflection, and small intentional steps, we can protect our mental energy and create more space for clarity, presence, and emotional balance.
Though this challenge concluded on June 26, 2026, we invite you to try it on your own or with a nurse colleague or friend. Get started here.
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How are you doing in the challenge?
I uninstalled Instagram. I only have access to facebook through the browser. No icons easy to tap and launch a doom scroll session on my phone.
@Mcmastsj Great idea!
have changed my phone charging port away from the bed to avoid temptations, notifications and alerts when sleeping.
@Njango I have done that too - helps me to not just start scrolling as soon as I wake up.
I work at Correctional health; we are not allowed to bring cell phone to the facility. No cell phone for 12 hours for 3-4 days in a week.
I turn off email notifications and only check emails three times a day.
Keeping my phone in my locker allows me to focus on the surgical case without distractions
Deb S RN