Importance of Keeping Yourself Leadership Fit!

Sakura Barrientos is a lead nurse in a Performance Improvement Program (Coaching to Wellness) for Contra Cost County Mental Health. A mental health nurse for 3 years, Sakura is the wife of a law enforcement officer and is also an Air Force Reserve Captain with a background in Logistics. The proud mother of 2 beautiful daughters’ ages 5 and 8, Sakura has hobbies that include web design, photography, film making (a YouTube Channel) and weightlifting and fitness! Originally from Arizona, Sakura who is half Japanese and Navaho Indian, currently resides in the San Francisco Bay area. Sakura can be reached at Sakura.Barrientos@hsd.cccounty.us.

Wife. Mother. Athlete. Leader. Nurse. I wear many hats and fortunately for me, I enjoy all of them. My name is Sakura and nursing is in my blood. My mother is a nurse and through the years, I’ve learned nurses are one of the hardest working individuals you will ever come across. We are tested mentally, physically and emotionally. Day in and day out. As a result, our need for self-care is imperative; without it, we would cease to play an effective role in patient care.

The New Year is upon us and with that brings resolutions that are forgotten after a week or two. According to a poll published on nielson.com, 37% of respondents stated “staying fit and healthy” was the top resolution. And add in some nursing statistics, americannursetoday.com reported in 2009, “nurses’ average body mass index (BMI) was higher than that of the general U.S. adult population.”

Recently, I was given the opportunity to spearhead a new program in the Contra Costa Behavioral Health Department, in Pittsburg, CA. I now work Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. Prior to this position, I was a charge nurse at an adolescent psych unit in San Leandro, CA. I was also primarily working PM shifts from 3pm to 1130pm, which allowed me to have gym and meal prep time prior to going to work. So, in order to keep my “athletic side” in tune, I now wake up at 430am in order to keep my gym schedule; prep the kids for school; drop off the kids at school; and go to work. But why?

Weightlifting is a passion for me and has been for the past 8 years. I honestly don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t lift anymore. The funny thing is I didn’t always feel this way. I remember a time in my 20’s when I was “too afraid” to go to the gym for fear of looking “silly”. I didn’t know how to lift, the difference between a dumbbell and a barbell and had no concept of training mechanisms. My father is a runner but that didn’t stick until my 30’s—I’d get winded and cramp up and running was torture in my eyes. Why would anyone do that for fun?

With all my job entails, family life and life in general, I absolutely feel that without a healthy mind and body I’d collapse in a heap of distress. I wouldn’t be able to make effective decisions at work; I wouldn’t be able to manage my family’s schedule; and quite frankly I think I’d be depressed. So how do I do it? What’s the secret to success? Well, there is no “one way” to do it, nor is there a “secret”. But, I will give you some ideas I keep in mind to stay healthy and allow me to be an effective leader.

1. Have a routine and stick to it. Before weightlifting became a passion, I used to set out my gym clothes in the morning and got dressed immediately upon waking. Having a gym partner or trainer to hold you accountable may help. Once you get the hang of things, it will become part of your day.
2. There is ALWAYS time. I used to make excuses not to prep food or go to the gym. So, I tracked my free time and found that I spent hours on social media and watching TV—all hours I could have spent meal prepping or doing a home work out. In fact, you could do healthful activities WHILE spending time on social media or watching TV.
3. Consistency is key. You can’t expect change to occur in only 1-2 weeks. Experts say habits are formed after 21 days. Stay the course and do what you can, when you can. Every little bit counts. Setting goal dates in a calendar would be beneficial.

Having an athletic background in combination with my career has empowered me to strive for greatness. I am constantly pushing myself and striving to do better—just as I do in the gym. My mind is clearer and more focused; I move better; I feel confident; and I feel like I can be the best advocate for my patients. Without regular, healthful habits, my role as an effective leader would diminish.

What have you done for your leadership health lately?