Nurses: A Spiritual and Mental Wellness Check-up

Psychiatric nurse practitioner and nursing educator Stephanie Wynn recommends nurses tend to their own spiritual and mental wellness. As self-wellness promotes positive management of stress, it can reinvigorate a nurse's supply of compassion and empathy, assisting in improvement of the delivery of quality care. Spiritual self-wellness assists in understanding the beliefs, values, and principles that provide guidance while sustaining effective working skills. Suggestions to increase spiritual self-wellness include

• Observe self-reflection. Pause to reflect on a behavior and the thoughts and motives behind it.
• Immerse in nature. Reflect on the magnificence, power, and beauty of God's handiwork in creation.
• Connect with a spiritual community. Participate in activities that bring people together to grow their relationships with God.
• Apply self-love. Love and accept oneself completely, creating a strong foundation to grow and evolve.
• Practice forgiveness. Cultivate empathy and compassion which open the heart to encompassing love.
• Practice self-care. Participate in relaxation techniques such as biblical meditation, mindful walking, stretching, deep breathing, and prayer.
• Join in spiritual counseling: Use Scripture and biblical teachings to combat challenging situations; when needed, seek therapy.

Relating to mental health wellness, Stephanie notes, “Attaining ideal mental health is a considerable element of well-being and stress reduction. Mental health wellness can assist nurses in functioning effectively in providing care as well as socializing in the workplace.” Her suggestions to increase mental health self-wellness include

• Make intentional connections. Foster significant daily actions and interactions while setting boundaries.
• Develop positive relationships. Interact in healthy ways with friends and family who can provide support.
• Engage in volunteering or mentoring. Establish other important support systems based on common interests.
• Reflect on hardships. Reminisce on strategies used to assist through challenging times.
• Practice mindfulness. Focus on senses, thoughts, and feelings in each moment, without judgment or interpretation.
• Stay positive. Anticipate an optimistic future which facilitates adaptation to new encounters.
• Take a mental health day. Recharge by planning intentional time away from usual responsibilities.
• Keep a gratitude journal. Write about things that exemplify gratefulness.
• Learn positive coping skills. Better manage negativity with positive responses; when needed, seek therapy.

Work-related stress is one of the most impactful problems nurses can encounter; such stress negatively affects health and quality of life. Bringing awareness to your ability to positively cope with work-related stressors while maintaining wellness is important. Spiritual and mental health self-wellness strategies could assist in the development of attributes that mitigate work-related stress and burnout. Ultimately, controlling the risks to nurses' health is pertinent to the achievement and sustainment of a strong healthcare workforce.

Stephanie Wynn, DNP, PMH-BC, PMH-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP, s an associate dean and professor at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.

A longer version of this article appears in the April-June 2024 issue of the Journal of Christian Nursing, as part of the regular column, Shining a Light on Mental Health.