Best tips to relieve stress as a nurse
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Stress is unavoidable in nursing, not only physical, but especially mental stress. It is important to be aware of what triggers stress and to manage it well, to avoid building it up and therefore have serious consequences on your personal and work life. As a nurse you will be doing long hours shifts, where you will constantly experience challenging and demanding situations. And because you have to be constantly vigilant, and have the responsibility to look after patients wellbeing and safety, if you build stress up and do not control it, you might make serious, or even life threatening, mistakes at work.
Having the opportunity to make a difference in people lives is definitely rewarding, but very exhausting sometimes, especially when it comes to take care of your mental health and emotions. But before we go through some tips, it is important to recognise what are the symptoms and triggers of stress: fatigue, long hours, muscular tension, pessimism, irritability, anxiety, and heart palpitations are just a few of the most common symptoms and triggers that are important to recognise in time. However, sometimes stress is unavoidable; therefore, here are some of the best tips to relieve stress as a nurse:
· Sleep schedule. Having a regular sleep schedule will help you to recharge and decrease chances of being easily irritated. You should aim to sleep at least 7/8 hours per night.
· Diet management. Having a balanced diet is fundamental for everyone’s health; this includes eating lots of fruits and vegetables, pulses, lean protein, and whole grains. A healthy and regular diet will boos your energy levels and will contribute to a better sleep routine.
· Exercise and fitness. We know that trying to find time to practice sports and do exercise is quite difficult when working long hours, especially if you have children. However, it is very important that you try your best to find even just a bit of time off during the day to exercise; this will release endorphins and will boost your serotonin levels.
· Time off and hobbies. Like exercising, finding time off to wind down and pursue your hobbies can be a big challenge. But remember that your life is not just and only about work, and if you are career driven and have high goals, remember that hobbies are important for your mental health and to keep your mind distracted from work-related concerns.
· Meditation and yoga. In combination with exercise and hobbies, meditation and yoga are two great ways to wind down and relax your mind.
· Share your feelings. Last but not least, share your feelings with those whom you love and trust. Talk with friends and family about any challenges that you might be facing, tell them what you might be going through, and open up about your emotions.
At IELTS Medical we are committed to provide the best training and experience to work in the healthcare sector. If you would like to see more tips and news keep an eye out for our latest blog. And if you would like to book a course, please visit our website or give us a call on 02036376722.
