ives. Nursing obligations can be long, distressing, emotional, and physically demanding. The requirements of the nursing career combined with the nursing shortage and longer work hours puts significantly more strain on an already at-capacity load. In spite of these demands, many nurses don’t completely value the significance of self-care and how it plays a valuable role in their practice; without appropriate care for themselves, nurses are not adept to provide the best care to their patients. Self-care is a critical component of being able to provide holistic nursing because nurses must be able to recognize that they cannot facilitate healing unless they are in the process of healing themselves,

Recent research on the effects of holistic self-care programs for nurses and nursing students demonstrates that such programs foster good health behaviors; resilience; improved nurse–patient communication, care, and satisfaction; and improved work environments, and may help sustain the nursing profession (Mariano, 2013, p. 21).

For this reason, nurses need to put forth the energy to schedule time for looking after their own needs in addition to the needs of their patients. With this in mind, I implemented an exercise program as my self-care modality for my independent study. Exercise fits into my personal value system because I realize the significance of taking care of the body; a healthy body tends to influence a healthy mindset. My personal core values are there to guide my behavior and my choices, and incorporating exercise increases self-awareness and helps clarify personal issues or stressors that occur in my life. Exercise, for me personally, makes intelligent decisions easier and guides me in deciding which decisions or emotions are negative and when to redirect my thought processes. It makes it easier to keep a balance in my life and is an integral influence on my beliefs and values. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits bec