Self-care
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Self-care
Providing end-of-life care is deeply meaningful but can also be emotionally demanding, often resulting in cumulative grief, burnout and compassion fatigue. Self-care is a critical, conscious practice supporting physical and mental well-being, enabling health care professionals to maintain resilience and deliver compassionate care.
In end-of-life care, self-care is not just a personal necessity, but also a professional responsibility. Nurses frequently encounter complex emotional and practical challenges, which can result in increased levels of stress, anxiety and psychological distress. These factors may affect your physical and emotional well-being, increase absenteeism and impact the quality of patient care.
Effective self care involves building the knowledge, skills, and motivation needed to manage both expected and unexpected demands. It supports overall wellbeing, enables nurses to set a positive example, and encourages positive coping strategies within their teams.
The following strategies can be beneficial in promoting self-care:
- Supervision: Participate in regular sessions with a trained professional or mentor.
- Reflection: Create protected time for reflective practice, especially after emotionally demanding cases.
- Dialogue: Encourage open, honest conversations within teams to reduce isolation and build understanding.
- Debriefing: Use informal check-ins and formal debriefs after patient deaths or complex cases to provide psychological safety.
- Healthy habits: Maintain consistent routines such as exercise, balanced meals, hydration and sufficient sleep.
- Restorative activities: Engage in practices like reading, mindfulness journaling, or spending time outdoors.
- Annual leave: Take time off and ensure it is uninterrupted by work demands.
- Personal connections: Prioritise meaningful relationships and hobbies outside of clinical roles.
- Learning: Explore opportunities to build emotional intelligence, resilience, communication and stress management skills.
- Professional support: Seek guidance from occupational health or psychological services when needed.
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