Wellbeing Strategies for Nurses

Wellbeing Strategies for Nurses Practical strategies for combating burnout and improving mental health while working as a nurse Wellbeing Strategies for Nurses explores clear, straightforward, and practical techniques for cultivating resilience and positive mental health strategies in the face of a demanding clinical environment. This pocket-sized book is easy to carry during your clinical placement and offers tips, advice, and hard-won words of wisdom from student and qualified nurses to support you through a challenging, yet rewarding, career. You’ll find stress-busting tools as well as exercises intended for long-term relief of stress incorporated throughout the book. Readers will also find: A thorough introduction to self-care and wellbeing for nurses, as well as discussions of stress and guided meditation practice exercises Comprehensive explorations of breathing, humour, and nature therapy Practical discussions of muscle relaxation and the importance of healthy foods and hydration Treatments of the sense of smell, aromatherapy, guided meditation, mindfulness, and the five senses approach to wellbeing Perfect for pre-registration adult nursing students in their first and second years of the programme, Wellbeing Strategies for Nurses will also benefit nursing associates, health care assistants, assistant practitioners, and professionals returning to the field after a period of absence.

Preface vii Introduction ix Acknowledgements xiii Part 1 Occupational Ill-Health 1 1 Self-Care And Wellbeing 3 2 Stress 31 3 Sleep Well 49 Part 2 Strategies To Combat Stress 75 4 Breathing Therapy 77 5 Muscle Relaxation 91 6 Nature (Biophilia Theory) 101 7 Nutrition, Hydration, And Exercise 115 8 Colour Therapy 135 9 Aromatherapy 153 10 Sharing With Friends 167 11 Humour Therapy 179 12 Guided Meditation 193 13 Mindfulness 203 14 Visualisation (Guided Imagery) 213 15 Arts And Crafts 225 16 Stillness 247 Part 3 Guided Meditation For Groups And Individuals 255 17 Guided Meditations: Spring 257 Cool Waters 258 Rainbow 262 18 Guided Meditations: Summer 267 Tropical Paradise 268 Summer Meadows 273 19 Guided Meditations: Autumn 277 A Walk In The Forest 278 Moonlight 284 20 Guided Meditations: Winter 289 Candle Light 290 A Walk In The Snow 293 Answers To Activities 299 Appendix A: Effects Of Stress 303 Appendix B: Colouring A Rainbow 307 Appendix C: Glossary Of The Properties Of Essential Oils 309 Appendix D: Wellness Bingo 313 Index 315