Rest doesn’t have to be earned – a First Nations nurse on health, culture and self-care

I’m a proud Yorta Yorta woman and I grew up on Yorta Yorta Country. I’ve been a registered nurse for 12 years and what I’ve learned about health is that it’s about so much more than medicine.

Working as a nurse in Aboriginal communities has really reinforced that for me. I see women carrying a huge mental load, often looking after themselves, their children, their grandchildren and their families. I’d say to any First Nations woman, don’t forget about looking after yourself.

As a nurse, my job is to look after other people. And what I’ve learned is if I don’t look after myself, I can burn out.

For me, the idea of ‘doing it anyway’ is about empowerment, knowing that you matter and your health matters too. You don’t have to do it perfectly, you just have to start.

Why are community and culture so central to wellbeing?

I’ve recently moved back home after living away. Being around family, friends and community has made me feel really reconnected. I’m lucky that I work with First Nations women too, so I see how important that connection is through my work.

My mum and aunties raised us all together and taught us that connection matters for our wellbeing.

When prioritising health, I think that First Nations women face a lot of additional barriers. Things like cost, access, family obligation, family responsibilities, even feeling nervous about stepping into certain health spaces. I’ve seen that in my own family and I see it through my work.

It’s another reason connection is so important. Women supporting women is a really big part of our culture. There can be real strength in coming together and sharing the load.

Struggling to make room for rest, movement and good nutrition?

I think that women sometimes feel that rest has to be earned, that we have to be busy and productive first.

If you’re a busy mum, or you’re a shift worker, if you’ve got a lot of responsibilities, rest can be low down on the priority list. But our bodies need and deserve downtime – it’s that simple.

As a nurse, my job is to look after other people. And what I’ve learned is if I don’t look after myself, I can burn out.

Nourishing your body doesn’t have to be complicated either. I’m a big believer in everything in moderation. Your journey to healthier eating doesn’t have to start with something big – it can be really small.

The same can be said when it comes to movement. I think there’s this idea that exercise must be going to the gym and really intense workouts. But good exercise can be a walk, gentle yoga or finding a way to move that works for you.

Because I’m inside and on my feet all day as a nurse, I like going for a walk after work. I love being in nature. I find that it’s really good for my physical, mental and spiritual health

What does holistic health actually look like to me?

I’ve learned that health is holistic. It’s about your physical health but also about your mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Looking after my health means a mixture of meditation, yoga, spending time in nature and staying connected to cultural and spiritual practices passed down from my mum. Going back to country and being by the river is really grounding for me as well.

Sometimes I get distracted by social media and too connected to my phone. In these moments, the best thing I can do is put my phone away, have a cuppa, sit outside in the sun to get some fresh air and take a moment to breathe.

It’s these small moments of rest that can make a big difference in helping you reset.