Caring, Worrying, and Coping: A Sensitive Nurse's Guide to Balance
By Julia Peirano
🕒 Approximately 5 Min Read
Constantly serving as the anxious aunt to my circle of friends, creating a state of stress within me. - Friends continually seek my mystical abilities, often leaving me burdened and anxious.
Dear Dr. Peirano,
For quite a while now, I've noticed people looking to me as a sympathetic ear and helpful guide—a role I've unfortunately grown to accept as simply part of being a nurse and a sensitive soul. My daily life revolves around soothing others' worries, but, in managing my own chronic back pain, I've discovered the importance of taking time for myself.
My favorite form of self-care consists of riding my trusty horse or walking my loyal dog, both of which allow me to de-stress and recharge.
Balancing Emotional Well-being and Chronic Pain
Struggling with chronic pain and maintaining emotional equilibrium can be a difficult dance for someone as empathic as myself. Fortunately, a few strategies may help:
Emotional Well-being Management
🧠 Mindfulness and Meditation: Insert moments of calm into your life through mental exercises like mindfulness-based programs or controlled breathing techniques. These practices can increase your emotional resilience, enable better stress management, and improve your focus[1][2].
🧘 Meditation: Regularly meditating can enhance your emotional equilibrium and minimize the impact of stress on your body[1][3].
Work-Life Balance
🕒 Flexible Scheduling: When possible, work with your employer to establish a flexible schedule that allows you to manage your work hours and personal time effectively, reducing burnout[1].
📅 Personal Time: Allocate ample personal time outside of work to nurture your emotional well-being[3].
Supportive Environment
💬 Peer Support: Connect with peers from your professional network or a support group at work to share experiences and receive assistance[1].
🤝 Professional Resources: Seek support from counseling services or mental health resources offered by healthcare organizations to tackle your emotional challenges head-on[1].
Managing Chronic Back Pain
💺 Physical Activity: Engage in gentle exercises like yoga or light stretching to promote flexibility and alleviate pain. These workouts can also help combat stress[2][3].
💊 Healthcare Consultations: Routinely consult with healthcare professionals to collaborate on a customized plan to manage your chronic back pain, which may involve options such as physical therapy or medication.
Personal Life Balance
😴 Prioritize Sleep: Aim for a solid 7-9 hours of restful sleep per night to allow your body and mind to recover from your job and chronic pain[3].
💆 Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Develop a routine to wind down before sleeping, promoting relaxation and enhancing sleep quality[3].
🍎 Nutrition and Hydration: Focus on consuming nutritious meals and snacks to maintain your energy levels and support your overall health[2].
💧 Hydration: Stay hydrated to assist with physical recovery and maintain mental acuity.
🏇 Leisure Activities: Allocate time to pursue hobbies you enjoy and foster relationships with loved ones, providing emotional nourishment and relaxation.
- I'm not sure if incorporating science-based practices such as mindfulness and meditation for emotional well-being or engaging in fitness-and-exercise activities like yoga for managing chronic back pain could be beneficial for my overall health-and-wellness and mental-health.
- Maybe discussing my concerns about balancing work with self-care and personal life with a healthcare professional skilled in mental-health could provide me insightful strategies to improve my emotional well-being and cope with my chronic pain.
