by JENNIFER GOODSON, MA, LMHC,
Who heals the healers? In today’s modern healthcare, the expectations of professionalism, empathy, and competency of care far exceed previous demands. Therefore, it is essential to make available adequate self-care options to those who carry the heartbeat of healing.
While knowledge and skill are required, nurses must operate out of a deep emotional labor. Nurses encounter grief and compassion fatigue, absorbing the silent pain of others daily. Acknowledging the burden they carry is the first step toward self-healing. Making room for their own emotional well-being is key.
Nurses have the ability to connect and protect all those entrusted in their care. Being fully present with a patient is a powerful act of caring. Presence also guides us to mindfulness. Being intentional in grounding oneself in the midst of caring for others provides balance of mind, body, and spirit. Intentional deep breathing, mental body scans, and silent moments between tasks bring one to feel centered. When the practice of being present becomes a healthy habit, it shifts care from reactive to relational, benefiting both the nurse and the patient.
Reflecting with a peer after a long shift — also known as debriefing — aids in emotional regulation. Journaling, either by writing or video, releases stress and decreases ruminating thoughts. These actions of detoxing from the day become lifelines of self-healing and safety. When one uses therapeutic reflection, wisdom and balance come to the forefront reminding nurses of their positive impact.
Compassion is part of the pouring out. However, boundaries are needed in how one emotionally connects. Empathy does not mean taking everything on. Internal and external boundaries are healthy, allowing one to be compassionate without absorbing the pain of others. Boundaries do not block compassion but sustain it. It is okay to say, “Caring for others is also taking time to care for myself.”
Keeping compassion fatigue at bay requires taking time to restore. One cannot always escape for a retreat nor does one need to do so. Creating moments of joy and healthy daily habits restore the mind, body, and spirit. Sitting in silence while sipping coffee, journaling one thing that went well on shift, or listening to one’s favorite music or podcast on the way home restores energy and strength. These habits anchor nurses in their own humanity.
Reminding oneself, you are deserving of care. Healing not only flows outward but must be recycled – giving and receiving creates a continual flow of healing. When nurses take the time to heal themselves, reflect, and restore, their care toward others becomes powerful.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jennifer Goodson, MA, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor with an office in Winter Haven, Fla., a Professor of Psychology at Warner University in Lake Wales, Fla., and a transformational speaker. She holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va. For more information, visit www.pathwaycounselingservice.com.