60. Planning as Self-Care: How Nurses Can Reduce Burnout & Overwhelm

Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕In this episode of The Nurses' Break Room with Jenny Lytle, RN, we explore how weekly planning is more than just a productivity hack—it's a powerful form of self-care, especially for nurses juggling changing shifts, emotional demands, and personal commitments.You’ll learn:Why “just winging it” leads to burnout and resentmentHow planning ahead helps you create space for you—not just everyone elseHow “energy management” is just as important as time managementTiny moments of joy and rest that you can sprinkle into your busy dayWhether you're a nurse, caregiver, or someone who’s constantly taking care of others, this episode will show you how to plan from a place of self-compassion, not guilt.🎧 Tune in and reclaim your peace—one week at a time.📌 Takeaways & Action Steps (for Description or Blog Use):Top 5 Takeaways:Planning isn’t just about logistics—it’s a powerful way to care for your mental and emotional health.Prepping your week in advance (Friday or Sunday) helps reduce anxiety and increase clarity.Consider your energy, not just your time—especially during new seasons, jobs, or emotional demands.Build a “micro self-care list” you can pull from when you’re stressed.You don’t need a spa day—nature walks, breathing, or solo grocery trips can be deeply restorative.Action Steps:Look at your week ahead and build in “margin” where you can.Save 3–5 small, joy-inducing self-care actions in a note on your phone.Try box breathing: inhale 4 sec, hold 4 sec, exhale 4 sec, hold 4 sec—repeat for 1 minute.Schedule one intentional joy moment each day this week.Give yourself grace—especially when you’re navigating change. 💕 Remember...You don't have to choose between loving hospice and protecting your own well-being. I truly believe it's possible to do both. 💕 Enjoying The Nurses' Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN? Follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share it with another hospice nurse who could use a little encouragement.  💕 Download your FREE Hospice Nurse's Guide to Less Stress: www.JennyLytle.com/guideJenny Lytle, BSN, RN is the founder of The Hospice Nurse Well-Being Project™ and host of The Nurses' Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN. After more than 30 years as a nurse—including over two decades in hospice—she helps hospice nurses reduce stress, prevent burnout, and love hospice again—without sacrificing their own well-being. 💕 🌿 Learn more about The Hospice Nurse Well-Being Project™https://jennylytle.com