How and why nurses should pamper their 7 dimensions of wellness

     The seven dimensions of wellness are interconnected dimensions to our overall wellness. These dimensions are physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, social, environmental and occupational. These dimensions are assessment and /or treatment tools usually used by healthcare organizations, especially retirement communities and behavioral health. However, as nurses, and students of the holistic approach, whatever setting or level of care we practice in, we were taught to assess and treat individuals by applying the seven dimensions of wellness as a comprehensive approach to the health and well-being of our patients. Every interaction, treatment, plan of care, and teaching we provide for our patients is based on seeing the patient as a whole person and therefore offer them holistic care. So, how about turning the table and use the 7 dimensions of wellness to pamper ourselves, eh, nurses?

Physical:

     I am the last one to lecture you on this topic but sleep and exercise, I hear, are the best medicine for the physical body. I may agree with the sleep part as it recharges our brain and keeps us refreshed. As we grow older, however, we may not get 8hrs of sleep, but I am sure a 5–6-hour uninterrupted sleep will do. I envy those who get regular exercise, I admire their discipline, I wish I had it. For some, fitness, exercise and form of physical activity supports their wellness and keeps them healthy. Of course, we all know about proper diet and healthy living, adequate sleep and hydration. As nurses, there is no doubt in my mind we know all this, we may even teach it to our patients but doing it for ourselves takes the discipline to commit. Physical health is one way of pampering ourselves, so we can care for others.

Emotional:

     Managing our emotions is not an easy task nor does it have a one size fit all solution. Stress anxiety, grief, challenging life path, etc. are handled differently by different folks. For some, coping skills come easily than they do for others. For some, coping skills may be vices that are harmful (drinking and smoking), and for others, being healthy and grounded in mindfulness and meditation is the way to go. To understand and manage our emotions, we each must use whatever means work for us, minus the harmful vices of course. However, our first step should be recognizing our emotional fragility, identifying it and accepting it so we can work on it and manage it well.

Intellectual:

     We may think intellectual pampering is all about going to school. Going to school is not it, but being educated is what is important in pampering yourself intellectually. Intellectual pampering can be when we engage our mind in different ways, such as learning new things. It can be joining a Zumba or a yoga class, it can be attending free seminars at the local Y. It can be a short certification course to become a CPR instructor, or a self-paced learning of any certification, such as medical coding, knitting or cooking classes, joining a book club, etc. Intellectually pampering yourself is about keeping mentally active. 

Spiritual:

     Spiritual paths, journeys and their concerns are very different for everyone. For some it involves their values, their beliefs, and finding the meaning and purpose of life. For others it may be religious beliefs and connecting to something larger than oneself. Whichever one it may be, spiritual pampering gives us all the peace of mind we desire and deserve. It allows us to be centered, measured and confidently mild manner where we can observe, experience, support, accept and love without judgement. Spiritual pampering benefits us and those around us as we can be their anchor, their constant and their guide, effortlessly.

Environmental:

     We all know that our environment shapes us. It has shaped us to some extent since our childhood. The home life we had, the family dynamics we grew up in, what we enjoyed, or endured, etc. When we venture on our own, we create our own environment or continue in the one we knew growing up. As adults it is incumbent on us to choose an environment that is nurturing, and supportive, be it at home, or at work. As nurses, we have the power to tilt the scale of a hostile work environment and change it to one that is a culture of support, and empowerment. As we impact others positively, we can do wonders for ourselves. We change our environment for the positive, by saying no to toxic people and their ways. We can say no to the negative cliquish workplace culture or the rough home life. We can be the change agents; we do not have to go along with the old guard and think hostility is okay. Pamper your environmental wellbeing, avoid nay sayers and grumps! You are worthy of peace of mind and harmony.

Social:

     How do we pamper ourselves socially? It may be by focusing on our relationships with our family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances, larger groups/committees, and community functions. Making time for our friends, near and far. Spending time with family more than major holidays, connecting with coworkers outside of work, etc., are great benefits to our mental health and overall wellbeing. We learn, support, rejoice, grieve and move through our individual journeys but not alone. Social connection is nothing like joining the “social media” of nowadays, instead, it is an in-person presence for one another that proves to be much healthier. Social pampering and connection makes use wiser and gives us a sense of belonging. A sense of belonging is huge for our psyche.

Occupational:

     Do not be afraid to grow and progress! One does not have to stay in one nursing specialty, one position, with one healthcare employer throughout their career. Grow a healthy resume! Yes, longevity is great, it shows your commitment and loyalty, but it may end up limiting you. Moving around from one healthcare setting to another every 5 years is not bad, it shows how well rounded and experienced you are in your nursing. No shame if you want to stay in one place, if you love what you’re doing, and where you’re working. One piece of advice, however, dear nurses, always have a plan B. Have a way out, have a side gig. The healthcare organization you work for may change leadership, may change owners, or may change directions and may no longer see you or treat you the way you deserve to be treated. If you have a side gig, not only do you have financial security, but you have independence as well and you can jump ship when you need to. Until then, your side gig can hold you until you find your other forever job. So, stay, but be the captain of your ship, where no one can treat you less than. Now work on your plan B. 😊

     My fellow nurses, pamper yourselves in every way.  Be it physically, emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, environmentally occupation wise. You set the tone, you get to drive the direction you want your life to go, barring unforeseen circumstances, of course.

You are in charge of you, therefore, you need to be kind to yourselves so you can be kind to others.