Burnout is the state of being used up or a feeling of sheer exhaustion. It usually occurs after a nurse has given all he or she can readily provide. When our personal reserves are depleted, we may desperately want to get away from the needs and demands of others, yet inside we feel guilty that we don’t want to give any more. Anger or depression can result when a nurse feels there is no more left inside to give.
 
The risk of burnout is real and dangerous but you can shield yourself by being aware of a few important facts. Because life is demanding, it is important to know what gives you energy and what drains your energy.
 
It is vital for you to recharge on a regular basis or you will be discharged. Be fueled by the realization that you must take care of yourself if you are going to be able to take care of the people in your life. You must also realize that you can sabotage your own happiness when you continually put others before yourself.
 
You have a huge impact on the world just through being you and doing your everyday activities, so take care of yourself by saving the first dance for you. Like the beginning steps in learning to dance, you can apply these steps to your professional and personal lives.

Here are 10 steps toward less stress, more energy, and greater fulfillment.

1. Save the first dance for you: Take care of yourself first to prevent burnout. You can’t take care of anyone else if you are burned out or gone.
2. Bend your knees/establish your frame: Learn to be firm on the inside and flexible on the outside. Be firm about your values and principles yet flexible about how to deal with people and situations.
3. Maintain your frame: All situations are opportunities for growth. Use every situation, in your professional and personal life, as an opening to learn something new about yourself.
4. Learn the steps: Set goals and take action. Create new possibilities by knowing what you want and staying focused.
5. Know who’s following and who’s leading: Know when to lead and when to follow–and in today’s world you have more opportunities to lead than ever before. When leaders are transformed they give others permission to be transformed.
6. Connect with your partner: We learn most about ourselves through relationships with others. What we think and feel about others tells us volumes about who we are.
7. Hear the music: Our beliefs are the filters that create our experience. Recognize that whatever you believe you will see.
8. Free yourself to have fun: It is a choice to have fun. We generate our own life events by the choices we make and the way we live our life.
9. Add your style: Be authentic. When you know and value yourself you bring the gift of being real to every situation.
10. Strut your stuff: Forgiveness is powerful. When you can forgive yourself you can forgive everyone around you.

Save the first dance for you to enjoy your nursing dance to the fullest.

Source: “Save the First Dance for You-The Complete Nurse’s Guide to Serving Your Profession, Your Patients, and Yourself,” by Doris L. Young, PhD, RN.