Prioritizing mental health amongst nurses

Nurses dedicate their lives to caring for others, but unfortunately, many don’t feel supported at work. The American Nurses Association conducted a study in 2023 that found that 2/3 of nurses who said they were affected by mental anguish or toxic emotions either didn’t seek or didn’t receive mental health support, a terrifying statistic (American Nurses Association, 2023).

This is vital because if a nurse doesn’t feel supported or seems like their mental health is in danger, how can they adequately look after others?

The impact of mental health on nurses is important. Not only does it affect their personal relationships and overall well-being, but it could actually also result in poorer workplace outcomes. Below are a few of the outcomes that mental health can impact on nurses (Flaubert, JL, Le Menestrel S, Williams DR, et al., 2021).

• Burnout
• High turnover of nurses
• Lower productivity
• Increase the variety of errors in treatment
• Lower job satisfaction
• Depression

Now that we all know the impact this has on nurses’ personal and skilled lives, how can we improve their mental health?

Nurses must practice self-care. While it sounds easy, it could actually be difficult. Below are some suggestions on how nurses can protect their mental health.

Physical activity improves cardiovascular health and might affect mood, alertness, and overall well-being. It doesn’t need to be strenuous, but moving your body day-after-day can improve your physical and mental health (Better Health, 2021).

Spending time outdoors has been proven to enhance mood and concentration and reduce stress levels. There are some ways to do that without interrupting your day, reminiscent of taking a walk within the park and even eating lunch outside (Wier, 2020).

Sleep has a powerful impact on mental health, making it necessary to practice good sleep habits. These include maintaining a consistent bedtime, limiting caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol within the evening, practicing rest before bed, and never using electronic devices for not less than an hour before bed (Suni, E. & Dimitriu, A. 2024).

Finding a creative outlet has been shown to scale back stress and anxiety. Examples include playing an instrument, knitting or sewing, dancing with friends, and doing a puzzle (American Psychiatric Association, 2023).

Connecting with others in skilled and private settings is related to higher levels of happiness and overall higher health. These connections include skilled friendships, meeting a friend for coffee, or joining a book club (Mental Health America, 2024).

Many workplaces provide mental health resources for workers. This can include a set variety of sessions with a therapist, information on rest techniques and suggestions for managing stress.

Professional help may include working with a therapist or pharmacological treatment.

Nurses need to begin prioritizing our mental health. This is vital not only on a private level, but additionally to make sure that the care provided is secure and of the very best quality. Most became nurses due to a passion and motivation to look after others, which starts with caring for yourself.

References

1. American Nurses Association. (2023). The American Nurses Foundation says motion stays needed to deal with serious nursing workforce challenges. https://www.nursingworld.org/news/news-releases/2023/the-american-nurses-foundation-says-action-is-still-needed-to-address-serious-nursing-workforce-challenges/
2. American Psychiatric Association. (2023). New APA Poll: Americans Who Engage in Creative Activities at Least Weekly Report Better Mental Health. https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/new-apa-poll-americans-who-engage-in-creative-acti
3. Better Health. (2024). Exercise and Mental Health. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/exercise-and-mental-health
4. Flaubert JL, Le Menestrel S, Williams DR, et al. (2021). The way forward for nursing 2020–2030: charting a path to achieving health equity. National Academies Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573902/
5. Mental Health America. (2024). Connect with others. https://www.mhanational.org/connect-others
6. Suni, E. and Dimitriu, A. (2024). Mental health and sleep. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mental-health
7. Weir, K. (2020). Raised by Nature. Psychology Monitor, 51 (3), 50. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature