A New Goal: Work-Life Integration

October 1, 2023

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It’s been 6 years since we created My Nursing Care Plan! At that time, we focused on meeting professional requirements, being a lifelong learner in nursing, and work-life balance. While the first two goals still make sense, I’ve struggled with the third for quite some time. Do we really ever balance everything in our lives? I can’t think of a time when everything in my life was equally balanced, when my energy and time was equally divided among work, family, and all the other responsibilities that compete for my attention.

So, I decided it was time to revise that section of My Nursing Care Plan. Take a closer look at what you need to do to achieve harmony – physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Assessment

Ask yourself these questions:

Am I up to date on medical care & screenings?
Am I getting enough rest?
What is the quality of my rest?
How’s my nutrition?
How is my stress level?
Am I seeing my family and friends?
Am I spending time doing things that bring me joy?

Diagnosis

*Readiness for enhanced self-health management related to identifying my own health care needs.
*Readiness for enhanced self-care related to maintaining personal relationships and managing stress.

Planning

Check your medical records and make a list of what screenings and immunizations are recommended based on your age and medical and family history.
Update your calendar with your work schedule and upcoming social events; include downtime and time for activities that bring you joy.
Think about how you best deal with stress. Is it a yoga class? Reading? Being outdoors?
Set short-term and long-term goals.

Implementation

Physical Health Strategies

Schedule appointments and screenings.
Get moving. Physical exercise benefits your physical and mental health; it increases alertness and energy.
Eat healthy, nutritionally balanced meals.
Practice yoga.
Get adequate sleep.
Stay hydrated.
Practice deep breathing.
For those working in an office or home office…
- Take a drive to break routine.
- Take stretch breaks.
- Use tinted glasses to help with eye strain and prevent headaches.

Mental Health Strategies

Sign up for a class, gym, or other activities that help you manage stress. Remain committed to these endeavors.
Consider simple changes to your schedule – would grocery shopping after work save you time on the weekend?
Schedule time with family and friends.
Take time off.
Try and keep interactions with negative people to a minimum.
Take a break from TV and social media.
Embrace joy.
Relax/unwind.
Take a walk.
Read a book.
Find a hobby.
Create a bedtime routine.
Utilize aromatherapy.
Explore music therapy.
Enjoy the outdoors.
Set small goals and reward yourself.

Spiritual Health Strategies

Start each day by being grateful.
Self-awareness is key. Discover who you are and what you want.
Try meditation.
Make time for your faith and prayers.
Incorporate relaxation techniques throughout your workday.
Practice meditation and mindfulness.
Identify three positives at the end of the day.

Evaluation

Revisit this care plan throughout the year and fill this in. Ongoing evaluation and revisions are key components to meeting your goals.

You are the gatekeeper of your own time. Find what’s important to you in your life and remember you don’t have to do it all. Find what fills you up and try to avoid those things that deplete your resources. Embrace joy because it’s a choice not just a feeling. Start small and go from there!