Work Life Balance Hacks: OR Edition

Let’s be honest—OR life hits different.
 

The days start early, the pace is fast, the pressure is high, and the mental focus required? Next level.

So it’s no surprise that finding work-life balance as an OR nurse (or surgical team member) can feel nearly impossible at times. But here’s the truth:

👉 Burnout isn’t a badge of honor.
👉 Balance isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

And while “balance” looks different for everyone, there are small, powerful habits you can build into your routine that protect your energy, support your mental health, and help you show up as your best self—both inside and outside the OR.

Here are my go-to Work-Life Balance Hacks: OR Edition.

1. Start the Morning on Your Terms

I know—when your shift starts at 6:30 AM, “me time” sounds like a joke. But hear me out.

Even just 10 intentional minutes in the morning (before you scroll, rush, or multitask) can make a huge difference.

✅ Stretch
✅ Breathe
✅ Sip your coffee slowly
✅ Set one intention for the day

That little buffer helps you walk into the OR feeling grounded—not reactive.

2. Protect Your Post-Shift Routine

When you walk out of the OR, your body may be exhausted—but your brain is still in go mode. You’re thinking about that difficult intubation, that count discrepancy, or that surgeon’s comment.

Here’s the hack: build a transition ritual.

🧖‍♀️ Take a hot shower
🎧 Put on music or a podcast
📵 Stay off hospital group chats (unless it’s urgent)
🧠 Mentally "clock out" of OR mode

The goal isn’t to ignore what happened—but to create separation. This helps you leave work at work and protect your peace at home.

3. Meal Prep = Self-Care (Seriously)

If your go-to “lunch” is a handful of peanut butter crackers at 3 PM… been there. 😅

Meal prepping isn’t just about food—it’s about fueling your brain and body so you can function under pressure. Think: nourishment, not perfection.

🥗 Prep grab-and-go salads or protein bowls
🥤 Keep electrolyte packets in your locker
🍎 Pack snacks you actually enjoy

Your energy, mood, and focus all start with how you fuel yourself—especially during 10-12 hour shifts.

4. Find Movement That Feels Good

I know some shifts leave you feeling like you just ran a marathon. But staying active outside of work isn’t about burning calories—it’s about reclaiming your body.

🚲 Spin class? Great.
🧘 Pilates? Love it.
🚶 A walk with a podcast? Perfect.

Whatever makes you feel strong, connected, and present—do more of that. Movement should help you recover, not deplete you.

5. Say No Without the Guilt

This one’s for my people-pleasers and overachievers: you are allowed to say no to extra shifts, late calls, or being “voluntold” for things outside your capacity.

Boundaries don’t make you difficult—they make you sustainable.

So the next time you’re asked to “just help out for a few hours,” ask yourself:
👉 “Do I have the capacity for this right now?”
If the answer is no, say so—with kindness and confidence.

You are not required to pour from an empty cup.

6. Schedule Joy Like You Schedule Cases

Here’s the deal: if it’s not scheduled, it’s not happening.

So block out time for things that bring you joy:
🗓 Lunch with a friend
🗓 A standing self-care night
🗓 A weekend nap (yes, naps count)

When you prioritize joy the same way you prioritize turnover times, your life starts to feel more balanced—because it actually is.

Final Thoughts 💙

Work-life balance in the OR isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention.

It’s about knowing when to push and when to pause.
When to give and when to refill.
When to say “yes” to the team, and when to say “yes” to yourself.

You can be a high-performing OR nurse and someone who prioritizes well-being.

So here’s your reminder: take care of the human behind the badge. You deserve rest. You deserve peace. You deserve balance.

Because the best nurses don’t just give—they sustain.