Lifestyle Articles :Pamper Yourself With Guilty Pleasures

Posted on Thursday, June 04, 2009

Nursing shifts are long and stressful, a daily roller coaster between the mundane and the exhilarating. You give your all to your patients and feel drained by the time you head home. Between work and daily chores, it can be easy to fall into a rut; yet nursing is a job where it’s important to recharge your batteries on a regular basis. To maintain the energy and patience to take good care of your patients, you have to take care of yourself. Everyone needs a little pampering from time to time, especially nurses.

It’s wonderful to spend an entire day pampering yourself, but who has the time? What nurses need are little guilty pleasures that can be slipped into the day or indulged in during an afternoon off. Next time you need a little TLC, pamper your body and spirit with one of these treats:

• No time for a day at the spa? Treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure at your local salon.
• Get a quick chair massage at the mall. In just 15 minutes you’ll feel kink-free, relaxed, and refreshed.
• Treat yourself to something fun, fabulous or delicious “just because” – a trendy new addition to your wardrobe, a floral bouquet or potted plant, or something rich and decadent to nibble on.
• Pour a deep tub with plenty of bubbles, light some candles, pour a glass of wine, turn on your favorite CD, sink into the depths and let your mind wander.
• Take a relaxing stroll through a local park or cruise along the bike path.
• Spend some quality time lifting weights at the gym. Finish with a good sweat in the sauna or a relaxing soak in the whirlpool.
• Pop up some popcorn, plug in your favorite movie and escape into another world.
• Pick up the latest book by your favorite author, stretch out on the couch and indulge.

The following appeared in an issue of Maxim’s nursing eNewsletter, Nursing Now. To receive news in your e-mail inbox each month, sign up today.