Alright, nurse friend, I know you’ve heard it time and time again…

Self-care, self-care, self-care!

It’s certainly not the solution to every problem (especially for those on the frontline — I’ll save that rant for another day) but overall, you will benefit from a self-care routine whether you like the idea of it or not.

You will be better equipped to tackle the obstacles of your personal and professional life, while also ensuring that your business succeeds and that you are capable of handling all that entrepreneurship (or nursing in general) throws at you.

If you make self-care a priority and commit to it, you can reap the rewards of a healthier and more productive life—both for yourself and for your business.

Stock image of a bathtub, candle, tea, and book

What is Self-Care and Why Does it Matter?

Self-care is a personal concept that is defined by you — the individual — and it can be anything you want it to be. Taking the time to focus on self-care can have positive impacts on not only your personal life, but also your business.

It is important to make choices that prioritize yourself and create a self-care routine that will last a lifetime in order to achieve and maintain optimal health and well-being. Self-care reduces stress and improves productivity, creativity, and mental health.

By taking time for yourself, you’re able to reinvigorate yourself and better prepare for the challenges you face in your professional life — whether that’s at the bedside or in an office, either way. You can be more productive and creative, allowing you to come up with innovative solutions to problems and help your business succeed.

Self-care helps you to become more aware of your needs and make decisions that prioritize your wellbeing. It can also be a great source of stress relief, which can be especially useful in the fast-paced environment of entrepreneurship.

These benefits can be achieved by creating a self-care routine and incorporating strategies such as scheduling alone time for yourself, setting boundaries, taking breaks, and getting enough sleep.

By creating a self-care routine and taking time out for yourself, you can rejuvenate your mind and body and become better equipped to tackle the obstacles of your personal and professional life. You ensure that your business succeeds and that you remain happy and healthy at the same time—by the way, this is no different than you spending time on self-care when you’re a bedside nurse.

So let’s get into it, yes?

7 Reasons Why Spending Time on Self-Care is Exactly What Your Business Needs

1 | INCREASES SELF-AWARENESS

Self-awareness can help you to identify and understand your own strengths and weaknesses, enabling you to work on areas where you may need to improve. Knowing yourself better also helps you to better understand others, fostering better communication and relationships with colleagues, customers, and other stakeholders.

By having a clearer understanding of yourself and others, you can develop more effective strategies for managing your business, improving decision-making and problem-solving, and creating a workplace that is more productive, efficient, and successful.

2 | IMPROVES SELF-ESTEEM & SELF-CONFIDENCE

When you have a high level of self-esteem and confidence, you are more likely to trust your own judgement and instincts, allowing you to make informed decisions and take calculated risks. This can help to create a successful and productive business environment, as you are more likely to take on new challenges and pursue new opportunities. As a solo-nurse-preneur (that’s totally a thing), you’ll be making all the tough decisions, and having confidence to do so will allow you to step into the role of CEO and really be the Queen you were always meant to be.

3 | REDUCES STRESS & ANXIETY

Reducing stress and anxiety is beneficial for you and your business, as it can help to increase focus, productivity, and overall performance. When you are in a calm and relaxed state, you can think more clearly, enabling you to make better decisions, come up with more innovative solutions, and stay on task more easily. Just like at the bedside, you’ll need to develop skills to handle unexpected stressors so you can make level-headed decisions in every situation thrown your way.

4 | INCREASES RESILIENCY

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from challenges and difficult times. When you practice self-care regularly, you become better equipped to handle stressful situations, reducing the likelihood of burnout and allowing you to remain focused and productive.

Self-care helps you to maintain your emotional and mental well-being, making you more resilient and capable of dealing with the challenges of running a business (or again just being a nurse in general).

5 | IMPROVES PRODUCTIVITY

When you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or burnt out, it can be difficult to stay focused and productive. Self-care helps to reduce stress and anxiety (as I said in number 3), enabling you to stay on task and get more done. Taking breaks, getting enough sleep, and making time for yourself can help to boost your mood, and improve your overall productivity and efficiency.

6 | IMPROVES CLARITY & CREATIVITY

Taking time for yourself can help to clear your mind, allowing you to think more clearly and come up with creative ideas. Self-care can help to boost your morale and put you in a better mental state, which can also lead to more creative and innovative solutions for your business.

7 | OVERALL BETTER MENTAL HEALTH

I know you know what traumatic shifts look like, but running a business doesn’t have to be like that. Self-care can help to improve your overall mental health and encourage you to continue to strive to be healthier. When you are in a better mental state, it can help you to have an improved outlook of your life causing you to make better decisions and be more productive, while reducing the risk of burnout.

And in case, you were wondering…BUT HOW?!…

Here are 7 Strategies to Incorporate Self-Care into Your Business Routine

1 | SCHEDULE TIME FOR YOURSELF

Setting aside time for self-care is key to ensuring that it becomes an integral part of your routine. Make a schedule and stick to it, scheduling specific times throughout the day or week to take a break and practice self-care. This really could be anything that you enjoy. Some examples might be taking a walk or reading a book to doing some yoga or meditating.

2 | SET BOUNDARIES

Setting boundaries is important for managing your time and energy. It is important to be clear about what you will and won’t do, and to stick to those boundaries. This will help to ensure that you are taking time for yourself and allowing yourself to rest and recharge. Don’t allow yourself to feel guilty for the boundaries you set either, because in the end, you’re time and energy is just as precious as anyone else’s.

3 | TAKE BREAKS

Taking regular breaks throughout the day can help to reduce stress and improve focus and productivity. Taking a few minutes to get away from the desk and do something that you enjoy can help to reinvigorate you and allow you to come back to your work with a fresh set of eyes and new perspective.

4 | GET PLENTY OF SLEEP

I know, I know — we’re all sleep-deprived nurses working our asses off trying to do ALL the things — what even IS sleep??? Getting enough sleep can be difficult to come by but is essential for maintaining your mental and physical health. Try your best to get enough restful sleep every night and you will be better equipped to handle the demands of your business.

5 | ACTUALLY PRIORITIZE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

You’re nurse, I know you get it, but as a reminder, taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Make sure to schedule regular check-ins with yourself to assess your mental health and identify any areas that may need attention. Don’t be afraid to reach out to professionals for help if you need it. There are many resources available to help you manage stress and take care of your mental health — Dr. Google can tell ya all about it.

6 | PRACTICE SELF-COMPASSION

Self-care is about being kind to yourself and taking the time to do things that make you feel good. If you make a mistake, don’t be too hard on yourself. Instead, practice self-compassion and look for ways to learn and grow from the experience. Just remember, care for yourself with the same level of compassion care you provide your patients.

7 | MAKE IT FUN & ACTUALLY ENJOYABLE

I get that self-care may be overrated these days and often overly marketed, but taking time to practice self-care doesn’t have to be a chore. Make self-care fun and actually enjoyable! Find activities that bring you joy and make sure to make time for them throughout your day. This will help you to stay motivated and engaged in your new self-care routine.

Self-care is vital for your bottom line…

Just like for nurses at the bedside, the importance of self-care for nurses in business cannot be overstated.

Self-care can reduce stress and improve your mental and physical health, while also making you more productive, creative, and resilient.

Making self-care a priority and incorporating self-care strategies into your daily routine can have a positive impact on your personal and professional life.

By taking the time to incorporate these strategies into your daily life, you can make sure that you are taking care of yourself and your business. Self-care is a key component of a successful business, and by making it a priority, you can reap the rewards of a happier, healthier, and more productive life overall.

And who doesn’t want that?

Why Spending Time on Self-care is Good For You and Your Business

What is Self-Care and Why Does it Matter?