Why Self-Care for Nurses Is Essential (and How to Make It Part of Your Routine)

Nursing is an incredibly rewarding profession, but it also comes with its fair share of stress and challenges. From working long hours to carrying the constant responsibility of caring for others, it can take a toll on your body, mind, and heart. 

When you’re giving so much, it’s easy to forget that you deserve care too. However, taking time to rest, set boundaries, and check in with yourself is essential. After all, your well-being directly impacts the care you can provide to patients and helps prevent burnout. 

As a clinician, your schedule of balancing your personal life with caring for patients is likely very busy. That’s why we created this guide to self-care for nurses, filled with practical tips to help you maintain and improve your well-being both on and off the clock. 

Self-Care for Nurses: 5 Key Areas to Support Your Well-Being 

A 2025 study found that a supportive work environment—combined with self-care—reduces nursing burnout and stress, boosts job satisfaction and engagement, and improves collaboration, professional development, and quality of care.

1. Getting Enough Quality Sleep

Quality sleep is the foundation of physical and mental health. Adequate, restorative sleep helps your body recover quickly, supports mental health, and helps you wake up feeling refreshed. Conversely, chronic sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality can negatively affect cognitive function, increase stress, and even contribute to errors during your shifts.  

Many things can affect your sleep, such as working night shifts, your department, the level of emotional stress you experience, the support you get from your team, and the coping strategies you have in place.  

Here are some potential ways to start improving your sleep quality as a nurse: 

• Advocate for work schedules that allow adequate rest between shifts. 
• Create a calming bedtime routine to support relaxation, such as drinking herbal tea (like chamomile) and/or reading a book. 
• Minimize stimulating activities (like intense exercise, large meals, etc.) and screen time (from your TV and phone) at least an hour before bed. 
• Take a short walk, stretch, meditate, or do gentle yoga to wind down and stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest). 
• Create a peaceful, comfortable sleep environment (for night nurses, this might mean creating a dark, quiet, and cool space to rest, and using blackout curtains or a sleep mask to block daytime light). 
• Communicate with managers about workload and emotional demands, as needed. 
• Give yourself permission to say no to social obligations after work if you need rest. 

Remember, rest is an essential self-care practice for all nurses, not a luxury or something you have to earn. Prioritizing sleep strengthens your resilience, focus, and ability to care for your patients. Small improvements can make a big difference—be gentle with yourself.

2. Developing Healthy Habits

Maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and adopting stress management and mindfulness techniques are some self-care techniques nurses can benefit from. Additionally, having support both at work and outside of it plays a crucial role in sustaining your well-being and resilience. 

Nutrition and Hydration 

Fueling your body with nutritious foods can help increase your energy and mood and keep you focused during shifts. However, we understand that nursing comes with long hours and limited time, so it’s easy to reach for quick snacks that might offer little nourishment.  

You don’t need to maintain a perfect diet to begin feeling a difference. Begin by trying out these simple tips, depending on your goals and how much time you have: 

• Packing easy, portable snacks like nuts, fruit, or yogurt to help reduce vending machine temptations and keep your blood sugar balanced.  
• Prepping balanced meals in advance that include protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats, even if it’s just a few grab-and-go options for the week. 
• Staying hydrated throughout the day (think water, electrolytes, and herbal teas to keep energy levels steadier than coffee alone). 
• Go easy on yourself; remember that missing a meal or grabbing something quick doesn’t mean you’re failing!  

Balance Exercise with Restorative Time  

As a nurse, you’re already on the move a lot during your shifts, which is great. At the same time, it can leave you feeling drained once your shifts end. The good news is that exercise doesn’t have to be intense or time-consuming to be effective. You can find ways to move that feel realistic, restorative, and even enjoyable. Here are some ideas: 

• Take short walks outside during breaks to decompress whenever possible. 
• Stretch in staff rooms or your locker area to release tension in your shoulders, neck, and back. 
• After work, consider taking a gentle yoga class or a walk outside to help your body release excess stress.  
• Save longer or more intense workouts for your days off or when you’re feeling up for it. 
• Listen to your body. Rest and recovery are just as important as movement, and overdoing it can add stress instead of reducing it. 

Even small bursts of intentional movement or stretching throughout the day can help release tension, improve circulation, and boost energy levels. And don’t forget to take the time to sit, rest, and give your legs and feet a break when needed. 

Mindfulness and Stress Management 

It's no surprise that nursing can be stressful. Taking intentional pauses throughout your shift can help you reconnect with your body and mind, reduce tension, and improve focus. 

Here are some ways to practice mindfulness and manage stress at work and beyond: 

• Use short mindfulness exercises during breaks, like taking a few deep, intentional breaths in between checking on patients. You might also consider 4-7-8 breathing, box breathing, or another breathing technique to settle your nervous system. 
• Use guided meditation apps to fit mindfulness into your schedule. Some nurse-friendly options include Headspace, Calm, or Insight Timer, which offer 3-10 minute meditations, perfect for breaks or helping you transition into or out of work.  
• Seek professional support if stress feels overwhelming. Speaking with a counselor or therapist can give you tools to manage your emotions. 
• Treat yourself to a professional massage when you can. Even occasional sessions can help support your overall well-being, giving your body the care it deserves after long, demanding shifts. 

3. Building Positive Relationships with Coworkers 

Building positive relationships with other nurses and healthcare professionals you work with can help reduce feelings of isolation. It also helps promote teamwork and trust during shifts. Here are some simple ways to strengthen those connections: 

• Check in with coworkers during breaks or rounds.  
• Show appreciation by celebrating wins or offering encouragement during difficult shifts. 
• Lean on trusted coworkers. Find one or two people who you can trust to listen and help you process difficult feelings.  

Having a trusted circle to share experiences, process challenges, and lean on during stressful times can help prevent burnout, benefiting not only you and your team but also the patients you serve. 

4. Leaning On Outside Support Systems

While strong workplace relationships can help prevent burnout and ease stress, it’s just as important to have support outside of work. Talking with trusted friends, spending time with loved ones, and making time for the activities you enjoy can help you recharge. Research shows that keeping healthy interpersonal connections beyond the workplace plays a key role in self-care and overall resilience. 

Some ways to lean on outside support systems include:  

• Doing activities you enjoy with friends and family, like cooking meals together, seeing a movie, or trying out a new class together. 
• Joining an interest group or club that helps you connect with others outside of nursing. A resource like NurseGroups.org provides virtual peer support for nurses. 
• Taking part in volunteer activities that give you a sense of purpose. 

5. Maintaining Purpose and Meaning in Your Work

Research on healthy work environments emphasizes that professional autonomy, effective communication, supportive leadership, and teamwork are foundational for creating environments where nurses feel valued, empowered, and connected to their work. When these conditions are present, nurses often report greater job satisfaction and stronger commitment to patient care. 

Feeling morally aligned with your work is another important factor. When your values match the care you provide, it strengthens your sense of purpose and reduces the risk of burnout. Reflecting on the meaningful impacts you’ve made, whether it is advocating for a patient or supporting a colleague, can help you recognize the significance of your role.  

Keeping a journal or celebrating small wins daily can also help reinforce why you entered the profession and keep you motivated. 

Gifted is Here for You! 

Sometimes, after a long shift, you just need someone who truly understands. Your Gifted Recruiter is always ready to listen, and our Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) is also available for support. That’s the Gifted difference—you’re never alone on your nursing assignment. 

We also encourage you to incorporate these de-stress tips into your routine to foster a healthier and more balanced lifestyle, ultimately benefiting both you and the patients you care for. 

Looking for your next nursing assignment? Apply today to get in touch with one of our passionate recruiters!