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If rest feels uncomfortable, frustrating, or even unsafe — you’re not doing anything wrong.

In this episode of The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, hospice nurse and stress-relief coach Jenny Lytle explores why rest feels so hard for nurses and caregivers, even when you’re exhausted and know you need it.

You’ll learn how conditioning, nervous system patterns, and identity all play a role — and why the resistance you feel doesn’t mean rest isn’t for you. It means you’re unwinding years of responsibility.

This episode offers reassurance, insight, and permission to approach rest in a way that actually feels doable.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why caregivers are taught (often unconsciously) that rest must be earned
• How a constantly alert nervous system makes it hard to slow down
• Why rest can feel uncomfortable or unsafe at first
• How identity and caregiving roles affect your ability to rest
• A gentler reframe that makes rest feel more accessible

This episode is especially helpful for nurses, hospice professionals, and caregivers who feel tired but wired, guilty when resting, or unsure how to truly slow down.

Next episode preview: Practical ways to transition out of nurse mode — without building hard boundaries or walls.

🔑 Key Takeaways / Action Steps

• Feeling restless during rest doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong
• Rest resistance often comes from conditioning and nervous system patterns
• You’re not bad at resting — you’re unwinding responsibility
• Rest doesn’t have to mean stopping everything
• You don’t have to rest perfectly to benefit from it

If you're feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or like there’s never enough time, I’ve got something just for you! Head to https://selfcareisntselfish.com to grab your FREE copy of my book, Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: The Compassionate Nurse’s Step-by-Step Guide to Personalized Stress Relief. It’s packed with simple, effective strategies to help you prioritize your needs—without guilt—so you can feel energized, focused, and ready to take on the day. Go to https://selfcareisntselfish.com 

Feeling stressed? Grab my quick and easy Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress for practical stress relief that truly fits into your life! https://www.jennylytle.com/guide

Looking for connection with people who get the stress and self-care struggles of nurses and caregivers? Check out https://thenursesbreakroom.com

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylytlern/

More ways to connect here: https://linktr.ee/jennylytle