Prioritizing Mental Health in Nurses

Nurses dedicate their lives to caring for others, but unfortunately, many do not feel supported at work. The American Nurses Association conducted a survey in 2023 that indicated that 2/3 of nurses who said they are suffering mental anguish or toxic emotions are either not seeking or not receiving mental health support, which is a horrifying statistic (American Nurses Association, 2023).

This is significant because if a nurse does not feel supported or feel their mental health is impacted, how can they adequately care for others?

The Impact Mental Health Can Have on Nurses

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

• Burnout
• High nurse turnover
• Lower productivity
• Increase medication errors
• Lower job satisfaction
• Depression

Practices To Improve Mental Health In Nurses

Now that we have seen the impact on nurses’ personal and professional lives, how can we improve their mental health?

Nurses must practice self-care. While this sounds straightforward, it can be challenging. Below are a few suggestions on how nurses can protect their mental health.

Daily physical activity: Physical activity improves cardiovascular health and can impact mood, alertness, and overall well-being. It does not have to be strenuous, but moving your body daily can improve physical and mental health (Better Health, 2021).

Spend time outside: Spending time outside has been proven to improve mood and concentration and lower stress levels. There are numerous ways to do this without interrupting your day, such as a walk in the park or even eating lunch outside (Wier, 2020).

Good sleep habits: Sleep has a powerful impact on mental health, making it essential to practice good sleep habits. These include having a consistent bedtime, limiting caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol in the evening, practicing relaxation before bed, and not using electronic devices at least one hour before bed (Suni, E. & Dimitriu, A. 2024).

Find a creative outlet: Finding a creative outlet has been demonstrated to decrease stress and anxiety levels. Examples include playing an instrument, knitting or sewing, dancing with friends, and working on a puzzle (American Psychiatric Association, 2023).

Connect with others: Connecting with others in the professional and personal setting has been linked to higher levels of happiness and overall better health. These connections include working friendships, meeting with a friend for coffee, or joining a book club (Mental Health America, 2024).

Utilize resources provided at work: Many workplaces provide mental health resources for employees. This may include a specific number of sessions with a therapist, information on relaxation methods, and stress management tips.

Seek professional help: Professional help can include working with a therapist or medication management.

Nurses must start prioritizing our mental health. This is important not only on a personal level but also to ensure the care provided is safe and of the highest quality possible. Most became nurses because of a passion and drive to care for others, which starts with taking care of oneself.

References

1. American Nurses Association. (2023). The American Nurses Foundation Says Action is Still Needed to Address 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 future of nursing 2020-2030: charting a path to achieve 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. & Dimitriu, A. (2024). Mental health and sleep. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mental-health
7. Weir, K. (2020). Nurtured by Nature. Monitor on Psychology, 51 (3), 50. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature

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