After the 12-Hour Shift: How One Nurse Prioritizes Self-Care
- Dr. Johnson
- Aug 11
- 1 min read
Hi, I’m Shavon, and I’m a nurse.
Throughout the week, I’m on my feet for 12-hour shifts, working around 40 hours a week. And after being on my feet that long, I definitely feel it.
One of the biggest things I deal with is swelling in my left leg and that burning, tired feeling in my feet. I’ve tried compression socks, Crocs, Hokas—you name it. But by the end of the week, my legs and feet still need some extra love.
So on the weekends, I like to pour back into myself. Leg and foot massages have become part of my self-care because they help me relax, relieve some of that tension, and my legs feel so much better afterward.
And nurses, we have to take care of more than just our feet. Think about how much tension we carry in our neck, shoulders, and back from working all day.
One thing I’ve learned is: when you’re working with your patients, raise that bed up! Don’t spend your whole shift bending over and putting unnecessary strain on your body.
We spend so much time taking care of everybody else that sometimes we forget our bodies need care too.
So whether it’s a leg massage, foot massage, or just giving yourself time to rest and reset—pour some of that care back into yourself, too.
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