Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1273352
45 NURSING SPOTLIGHT is small reset has been a daily necessity throughout this pan- demic. Taking advantage of these small moments helps me to be balanced at work and at home. Thomasina Jones. Nursing Manager-Pediatrics Ambulatory Care at MetroHealth System (Cleveland): Reflect on the top three positive things that happened during the day while incor- porating meditation. Carolyn Hopper, RN. Administrative Director, Clinical Op- erations at AdventHealth Hendersonville (N.C.): My advice is to take a few minutes each day to totally disconnect, whatever that means for you. We are all experiencing sensory overload, too much information, too much noise, too much communication. Find a quiet, calm space to unwind for a period of time and allow yourself to recenter and reconnect with yourself. Stephanie Wise. Chief Nursing Officer at AdventHealth Shaw- nee Mission (Merriam, Kan.): To care for others, we must have enough energy le to fuel our own body, mind and spirit. is requires a cognizant effort to provide our whole being with great self-care. For me, eating healthy, whole foods is extremely import- ant to feel energized and ready to tackle a tough day. It also assists with keeping our immune system working to its fullest potential and keeping the body healthy while fighting this pandemic. Melissa Hughes, RN. Nurse in the Medical/Surgical Unit at AdventHealth Hendersonville (N.C.): My best self-care tip while working on the front lines of the pandemic is to walk, clean and work out in the garden. Kelly Gilhousen. Clinical Nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at MetroHealth System (Cleveland): To offer each other grace. Everyone is dealing with this in a different way from a different perspective. Rochelle Smith. Nurse Manager in the Ambulatory Network at MetroHealth System (Cleveland): I've taken the time to look on Pinterest for new recipes since eating out at a restaurant is not an op- tion. I've found that many of my favorite restaurant dishes I can cook at home. I've lost a few pounds, and so has my family. We are excited about all the new recipes we have planned to try this summer. Justine Dechiara, RN. Nurse in the Medical/Surgical Unit at AdventHealth Hendersonville (N.C.): My best self-care tip while working on the front lines of the pandemic is to run more, so you can be outside and get more fresh air. Rachel Ogilby. Clinical Nurse Specialist-Critical Care at Metro- Health System (Cleveland): Give yourself a break. Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions come up, and don't judge them. Maybe you are feeling grateful that you have a job or that your family hasn't gotten sick. Maybe you are feeling worried or scared. You might be angry, feel guilty or saddened. Know that all of these emotions are valid. It's an emotional time for everyone, and it can be exhausting to have all of these feelings. Emotions surface in mysterious ways — you might be tired, cranky, weepy or have a shortened temper. Al- low yourself more rest than you normally would, and create time to do things you love even though the circumstances likely have changed. Try not to pass judgment on yourself, and just be aware of the feelings you have as they come and go. You are awesome! Kumarie Singh. Nurse Manager-Cancer Care at MetroHealth System (Cleveland): I limit television viewing and go for a walk or bike ride, or do yoga, baking — something fun — twice a week with my daughter. Also, I keep in touch with loved ones via FaceTime. Julie Medas. Clinical Nurse Specialist-Neonatology at Metro- Health System (Cleveland): Walking outdoors! FaceTiming with loved ones, especially my daughter who lives in New York City, to see she is safe and healthy. Matt Kuffel, RN. Nurse at Harrison Medical Center (Bremerton, Wash.): My best self-care tip is to make sure to stay active. I wake up and run every morning and find time daily to get outside in our yard with my kids. I feel it's important for all of us to get outside and spend time off and away from screens. Kevin Quick. Flight Nurse Specialist-Emergency Medicine at MetroHealth System (Cleveland): Do what you are trained to do without fear. When off work, be off work mentally as well. Limit your news intake to one to two days a week. Jennifer Beigie. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program Coor- dinator-Forensic Nursing at MetroHealth System (Cleveland): Exercise! Just getting up and moving not only has many physical benefits but has done wonders for my mental health. Being a forensic nurse during the pandemic, I have seen a lot of domestic violence cases. ese cases are sometimes mentally draining. I have a Peloton and make an effort to ride three days a week for 30 minutes, which helps me relieve stress. Subhneet Kaur, RN. Nurse at St. Joseph Medical Center (Taco- ma, Wash.): During these stressful times, self-care is extremely important to help temporarily forget about the stressful chal- lenges thrown at us every day at work. I recommend focusing on something you enjoy or find therapeutic. I love helping my little girl explore the outdoors or taking her on short walks. I have also collected an abundance of indoor and outdoor plants that have kept me busy! And for the nights I have extra time, I love throwing on a new [face]mask, lighting a candle and bumping my favorite music. With everything closed and no errands to run, my skin has been looking great! Michelle Simonelli. Nurse Manager in the Ambulatory Network at MetroHealth System (Cleveland): My greatest gi that I can give to myself and others is to try to remain positive at all times. It is important to realize that each and every one of us has to remain strong: physically, mentally and emotionally. Even though routines and schedules have changed, I try to appre- ciate what I have in life now and make the most of it. I have started to eat healthier, made some changes in my exercise routine, and I am trying to make sleep more of a priority than before. Socially connecting to my friends and family has increased, and that con- tinues to put a big smile on my face each day! Since I am able to ease my stress level by working on the above, I come to work daily on the front lines of the pandemic and try to spread my self-care tips with my staff, providers and my patients. Tracy Greathouse, Nursing Professional Development Special- ist at MetroHealth System (Cleveland): The No. 1 best self-care tip I can suggest is prayer. Second is asking for help/support while at work to avoid burnout — and taking days off to allow mental breaks to promote self-care. Unfortunately, there's not much to do during this pandemic, but you can still enjoy time off by spending time with family, having a self-made spa day, watch- ing comedy movies and taking a walk or gardening and making home improvements. n