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How to Create a Balanced Life while Nursing

By Claire Westwood RGN, RSCN, BA Health Studies, Dip Life Coaching. Founder of www.happynurses.co.uk

Many nurses work in stressful environments, and can feel dissatisfied with their work, and their lives. They often spend their time focusing on the needs of others, while neglecting to care for themselves. I will explain how to create a more balanced life in an hour a week.

The first time I read about this system it changed my whole thinking. Realising that you can divide your life into several different topics and then set goals for each area was a revelation to me. No single aspect of life happens in isolation, but being able to clearly think and plan for each different area can help to reduce the overwhelming feelings that come with trying to think about your life. This is especially true if it feels out of control or you feel ‘stuck’ in some way.

I have used this system very successfully with many of my clients. I started to use the system regularly two years ago, and I now set aside time each weekend to review my life/ actions/ achievements. I then decide what needs to be done in the following week to move my life forward. I do major assessments and goal setting every 12 weeks, setting 12 week goals for each area. This is a time period that allows for large changes to be achieved without seeming too daunting to me. You can get a lot done in this time period. However, a month may suit you better. Experiment with different ways of using it.

This tool could also be used with patients who you feel could benefit from more focus in their lives. However, I would not recommend you use the ‘Wheel of Life’ with your clients or patients unless you have used it yourself for several months. The strengths of the system are only truly apparent when you begin to set goals and take action. When your own health, life balance and happiness improves, you can act as a role model for your clients, and inspire them through your own experience.

So, where do you start if you feel overwhelmed, stuck, ‘tired all the time’……..

Using the ‘Wheel of Life’ to create a balanced life

This exercise will challenge you to think about what you REALLY want for yourself in your life. If you feel that `something is missing’, then the ‘Wheel of Life’ can help to point to what that may be. Read the article and then find an hour or so to complete the exercise, either now or later. It will start to change your thinking when you work through it in detail.

Draw a circle, and divide it into 8 segments. Each segment has one of the following topics written in it:
Health – physical and psychological
Home – where you live – the flat/ house/ town/ country
Work – do you like your job, is it a good match to your skills and values?
Wealth – how much you earn, invest and spend
Family – relationships with your parents/children/siblings
Partner – Do you have one, how good is your relationship, or are you single and happy or miserable?
Friends and social life – meeting others and having leisure time and fun activities
Learning and development – personal growth, travel, hobbies, courses, challenges

The Wheel of Life

For each topic, give yourself a score out of 10 for how happy you are with that area of your life today.

Then identify what would make that area score 10 out of 10 for you. This is a chance to fantasise about what you would really love in your life. What would be a fabulous outcome, or dream for you? Be bold, and don’t worry about reality just yet – this is an exercise to stimulate ideas. Write them all down. What would you really want if you could have or do anything?

You can organise this information in a way that suits you. You can use a journal or notebook or A4 paper in an attractive file, or computerise it. How you use the ‘Wheel’ is up to you. Get a scrap book and write on it, in it, stick pictures to it, scribble notes in it, use the spaces to add images and colour – whatever helps to inspire you. I have an A5 notebook that I write my weekly and 12 weekly goals, and I tick off each action. This works really well for me because I love lists, but experiment with what you can use easily and inspires you.

You can spend longer on one topic if you want to – read more information and gather or develop new ideas – or look at all eight. An extra notebook or journal is important as well, to write down all your thoughts and your feelings on the various issues. Writing things down is one of the best ways to really understand, and reflect on, what is really happening. Note as many thoughts down as you can. The more you can write down, the better. It is a great motivator to re-read journals and notes to see how far you have come.

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