Medical caregivers are notorious for overworking themselves. We push ourselves to our physical and mental limits, and even beyond, for the sake of our patients. We make sacrifices and compromises in our personal lives so that we can bring care to those who need it. We might not ask for help as often as we should.
Our drive to help others is what makes us so good at our jobs. Nurses may be working fourteen hour days, with only a few breaks in that time. The key is to make the most of every minute of those breaks.
If it’s at all possible, it’s important to get out and be around nature, or at least get some sunshine. Now that spring has sprung, even a few minutes of deep breathing and sunshine can dramatically affect your mood, your stress levels, and your overall health. Recall that in addition to maintaining calcium flow through your body, vitamin D helps with stress levels, both by decreasing stress hormones and also indirectly managing depression.
Getting some sunshine triggers your brain to produce more serotonin, and can help you sleep better at night. According to the World Health Organization, getting anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight on your arms, hands, and face two to three times a week is enough to enjoy the vitamin D-boosting benefits of sun. Note that the sun actually has to penetrate the skin — wearing sunscreen and/or clothing over the skin won’t result in vitamin D production. If you’re going to be outside for more than a brief 15-minute period, it’s a good idea to protect your skin. You can do that by applying a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15.
So this week, take care of yourself - body and mind! - by getting outside for at least one break. Take a deep breath, and let the sun shine in.
Skilled Wound Care is a mobile surgical practice committed to transforming the chronic wound care model in nursing facilities. Wound care experts make weekly bedside visits to patients in long-term care facilities, avoiding transfers to hospitals or clinics. Our expert physicians give patients the most up-to-date and effective wound treatments, and educate facility staff on how to help patients continue to heal quickly and effectively between visits. This model of collaborative care allows SWC’s physicians to improve patients’ lives and health outcomes, to empower nursing staff, and to raise public awareness. Skilled Wound Care, along with its nurse and nursing home partners, is working every day to positively transform traditional nursing home wound care.
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