5 Ways I Protected My Mental Health as a Nurse in 2025

This year, I made a goal to prioritize my mental health as a nurse. 

Nursing can take a lot out of you, physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s all too easy to set your own needs aside and keep “pushing through,” especially when work, family, and everything else in life are all competing for your attention.

Protecting your mental health as a nurse goes beyond bubble baths and essential oils. Those things can absolutely be part of a good reset, but true mental well-being requires something deeper - consistent, intentional habits that help you feel balanced and grounded both in and outside of work.

The good news? It doesn’t have to mean a total lifestyle overhaul or a complicated self-care routine. This year, I focused on small, realistic habits and boundaries that made my days feel lighter and more manageable.

Here are five things that helped me protect my mental health this year (and that you can adapt to fit your own life, too).

1. I Limited Social Media to Protect My Mental Health

This year, I realized social media was quietly draining my energy. I deleted a few apps from my phone and set daily time limits on the ones I kept.

I noticed positive changes within the first week. Less comparison, less anxiety, and more mental space for myself and the things that actually matter.

For many of us, social media isn’t just scrolling. It’s a steady stream of emotional triggers. Algorithms often push content that makes us feel anxious, discouraged, or like we’re falling behind. For nurses juggling high-stress work and life outside the hospital, that constant emotional pull can be exhausting.

Try this:

• Pick one app to delete for a week and notice how you feel.

• Use built-in screen time limits on the apps that pull you in most.

• Unfollow or mute accounts that leave you feeling drained or anxious.

These small, intentional changes helped me protect my mental health as a nurse and gave me more clarity, focus, and energy - both at work and at home.

2. I Actually Used My PTO 

For years, I told myself I didn’t need a day off. I wanted to save my PTO for something big or “more important.” Like many nurses, I got used to running on autopilot, convincing myself I could always push through one more shift or one more stretch of busy weeks.

This year, I decided to start using my PTO before I hit that wall. Taking a random Friday off or planning a long weekend gave me real time to reset. Sometimes that meant extra family time; other times, it was simply catching up on rest (no big plans, just breathing room).

I realized rest doesn’t have to be justified by burnout. You don’t need to wait until you’re completely drained to take a break. Using time off regularly actually helps prevent that point altogether.

Try this:

• Schedule one day off next month, even if nothing’s “wrong.”

• Treat time off as maintenance, not recovery.

• Remember that PTO isn’t a reward. It’s part of your compensation and key to longevity in your career.

Once I stopped saving all my time for “someday,” I started to see how much more sustainable (and enjoyable) my work-life balance could be.

→ For more tips on protecting your energy and building balance, check out How to Create a Work‑Life Balance Plan as a Nurse (Even with a Crazy Schedule). It’s full of practical steps for making your schedule work for you, even when life and shifts get hectic.

3. I Turned Off Work Notifications After Hours

During COVID, I kept Teams and Outlook on my phone all the time. I felt like I needed to stay tuned in for updates. 

But over time, I realized that constant connection kept my brain thinking about work even when I wasn’t there. That quiet mental load left me feeling drained.

Now that I work away from bedside care, keeping those apps on my phone is helpful during the day, but I have “Do Not Disturb” limits set outside of work hours. For anyone whose role doesn’t require constant access, I’d even encourage removing those apps entirely. Creating that boundary has been a game-changer for my mental health.

Try this:

• Set a “Do Not Disturb” schedule before your shift begins and after it ends.

• Remove work apps from your phone if they aren’t essential to your role.

• Let colleagues know your availability so you can truly step away.

Creating this boundary helped me disconnect, recharge, and show up more focused at work. It also helped me enjoy my time at home and be more present with my family.

→ For more tips on setting boundaries at work without guilt, check out How to Set Boundaries as a Nurse Without Guilt.

4. I Made Social Plans I Actually Kept

This year, I realized protecting my mental health as a nurse isn’t just about work. It’s also about life outside of it. 

I started intentionally planning social time with friends once a month and committed to showing up. Even on busy weeks, these simple moments (dinners, coffee, or walks) helped me feel connected and reminded me I’m more than my job.

Try this:

• Schedule one social outing next month and treat it like an appointment.

• Keep it simple. The goal is connection, not perfection.

• Protect these plans as non-negotiable time for yourself.

Prioritizing friendships outside of work has been one of the most restorative habits I adopted this year.

5. I Gave Myself Permission to Rest Without “Earning” It

For a long time, I treated rest like something I had to earn. I’d only slow down after a long shift or big project. 

But that mindset made it harder to actually recharge. This year, I started viewing rest as maintenance, not a reward.

I built small moments of rest into my days: twenty quiet minutes in the evening, a short walk, or enjoying a show with my husband after our child goes to bed. Those small pauses quickly became some of the most restorative parts of my week and helped me feel more grounded, focused, and resilient.

Try this:

• Block off one short window each day for real rest (no chores, no phone, no guilt).

• Keep a few go-to restorative activities ready for when you need a reset.

• Remember: rest isn’t lazy, it’s necessary.

Making rest a regular part of my routine has been one of the simplest but most powerful ways I’ve protected my mental health as a nurse.

Wrapping It Up

Finding balance as a nurse doesn’t always mean making big changes. Often, it comes from the smaller choices. 

Take your time off, turn off notifications, or step away from social media when it starts to feel heavy. These simple shifts can create more space for rest, clarity, and the parts of life that matter most.

Balance will look different in every season, and that’s okay. What matters is staying mindful of what you need right now and giving yourself permission to honor it (without guilt).

Ready to take the next step in protecting your time and energy?
Join my email list to be the first to know when my new Boundaries for Nurses workbook is released - designed to help you protect your mental health and peace at work.

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Disclaimer: The content shared here is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your personal needs.