From the author of “Why Do Great Nurses Leave?“

Remember the feeling of waking up thinking you should probably call in sick from work? The feeling of just wanting to fall back to bed, being totally drained from the previous day, perhaps the previous week, not even remember when you had your last day off.

The past two years have changed our lives drastically. Looking back, we realize that one way or another, we managed to overcome all the hardships that came along. Most of us might still be struggling with our storms; some are ready to wave the white flag, but let’s not overlook the opportunities ahead.

We have all learnt a lot during our adversities, which made us grow and see life from a different perspective.

The ground staff has been working extremely hard during the pandemic as we face a workforce shortage everywhere.

Yes, people are leaving for better opportunities, and we understand and congratulate them. Many of us need a new environment to grow and shine.

To everyone who forced themselves to get up every morning to show up to work – we are thankful to you all.

It has been physically and mentally exhausting for everyone lately.

We are often blessed to work with people who will lighten the mood and brighten our days. Though any day may turn unpleasant for whatever reasons, we are thankful to have colleagues and managers that we might be able to vent to, which helps us release stress.

Previously, I wrote two articles on “Why Do Great Nurses Leave?” which went viral and caught the attention of plenty of managers.

This allowed me to share my views with the higher management, and since then, I have been privileged to work closely with managers to see how they go about their daily duties.

Hats off to the managers taking care of administration, scouting the workforce, and liaising with several groups to ensure everything runs smoothly for the organisation. The message notifications from different WhatsApp groups’ are the ‘music’ they listen to all day and night.

Emails flood their inboxes, waiting for their responses before the other parties can proceed with their work. Their daily concern is where to mysteriously get additional labor force to aid the current work staff.

At times, they even have to travel overseas to scout for workers. And even when they step out of the office, their phone doesn’t know when the shift end, and keeps beeping constantly.

It is draining for managers; their battery life is as low as their energy level at home. While we might be giving it all at work, managers and staff, let’s not forget that we have something important called ‘family.’

While we focus on work messages, we miss out on precious time we could spend with our loved ones. Our parents are getting older and the kids are growing up fast, and we do not want to miss being part of their lives.

We spend more time communicating with our colleagues than having meaningful conversations with our loved ones. This is a red flag as we neglect the people who mean the most to us.

Every minute decide to answer a work message instead of talking to our loved ones now will mean a lot in the future when we look back at this time in our lives. We wouldn’t want our kids to remember us as being workaholics. Our families need us to be there for them, just like our staff needs the managers to guide them.

In our hectic schedule, let’s find time to spend with the people that matter most. I love my family, and I try to spend quality time with them, but it’s challenging. I’ve been guilty of neglecting my family in favour of my work.

But what I’ve learnt is that family and friends need to come first. When there are many burdens and things that take us away from our loved ones, we need to make tough decisions.

Sometimes we must say no and turn away from the things that drag us from those vital relationships. I want to encourage you to think, “What can you do this day or week to spend more time with the most important people in your life?”

I invite you to spend more time with your spouse and say yes to your kids more often when they request your attention.

Remember, all the other things are not as important as appreciating your family and friends. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to relive the moments we miss out on with those we treasure the most.

Most importantly, we all deserve to take a break. Be it a day or just a few hours, put the phone aside and enjoy nature. Live in the moment.

Living in the Moment

It seems we are all living at high speed. Family life, work, and even church take all of our time, making us feel drained. These days, it appears “busy” is the standard answer to the question “How are you?”

Unfortunately, this can really affect our physical and emotional health.

So, what does it mean to live in the moment?

Living in the moment isn’t whining about the past or stressing about the future, as this only deprives us of the present. It’s concentrating on what’s happening right now. Ultimately, the only thing we can manage is today.

We need to eliminate the meaningless things in life and focus on the things that bring us happiness. Be grateful for each day. Noticing the good in your life will make you feel more present.

I was blessed with an opportunity to travel to Phuket to take my mind off issues. It was my first time travelling, and it was scary to travel alone. However, I was too focused on the beautiful experiences to let fear hold me back.

I am tankful for the beautiful villa where I stayed, overlooking nature. The sound of birds chirping was my alarm every morning, along with the sun rays across my room.

The breakfast venue was terrific. The dining area had a variety of delicious dishes, and it faced the pool. Afterwards, I chose to stroll back to the villa to burn the calories. I visited a couple of tourist attractions and went to one of the beaches affected by the Tsunami in 2006. I enjoyed the wind blowing across my face as I walked along the beach. The waves hitting my ankles had a therapeutic calming effect.

Perhaps sometimes, the easiest way to relax is to enjoy nature. As nurses, we are constantly feeling anxious, sad, and even helpless. Being in a pleasant environment reverses these sensations.

Enjoying nature has healing powers as it reduces fear, stress, and anger while increasing feelings of happiness. Being exposed to nature allows you to feel better emotionally.

Refocus our Minds

We all need a break to refocus and reshape our minds.

One of my favorite techniques to refocus my mind is concentrating on my breathing. The fantastic thing about it is that you can do it anytime and anywhere you want. If you prefer, close your eyes and center your attention on your breath. See how your chest rises and falls.

Think about feeling relaxed and at peace whenever you inhale and exhale. You can even repeat a mantra like “I’m at peace.”

Concentrate on your breathing for short periods at first and gradually extend the practice. If your mind starts drifting, avoid being judgemental and focus again on your breathing and mantra.

Another excellent practice for reshaping your mind is to take a break from work and look out a window or go outside.

I loved watching the clouds, birds, plants, and trees in Thailand. This allowed me to appreciate there’s more to life than accomplishing tasks and duties.

Additionally, moving clouds are excellent reminders of how our thoughts constantly change. These mini-breaks let us see the things around us with fresh eyes.

Don’t forget to use all your senses to feel the air on your skin. Whenever you go outside, feel the temperature, textures, and tastes. Always be mindful of your surroundings.

Finally, don’t forget to laugh as it releases endorphins.

Endorphins reduce stress and decrease pain while making you feel happy. Take the time to watch a funny video or talk to someone with a great sense of humour. It will help you feel alive.

I am writing this article while I am on my Covid leave. Unfortunately, I tested positive when I landed, but I’m hoping to feel better after a few days of rest.

Stay safe, and always remember to take a step back and breathe!

Staffan Stewart