"Sandals on grass" by athrasher via Flickr. Something about walking barefoot on the grass nourishes my soul.

Are you starving your soul? Nurses are highly skilled in this area. Chances are, you are either already burned-out or well on your way. I’m not talking about your spirit, which many associate with religion or religious relationships. No, I’m referring to your soul – your passion, the thing(s) that renew your energy. I do believe the soul and spirit are closely linked to the mind and body. After all, I am a nurse, and nurses, in general, are typically educated in holistic care.

What are you doing to take care of yourself? To nurture your soul? For me, hands down – it is spending time with my family. I want to be where they are. I want the laughter. I want the craziness. I feel refueled when I spend time with them. It is like comfort food without the calories. Another, newer, way I have learned to strengthen my soul is via physical activity. Yes, it is great for my body and my mind, but the time alone (for an introvert like me!) is refreshing.

How do you feed your soul? Do you do it every day?