Nurses, it’s that time again where you get to be recognized for the hard work you do every day of the year. You work long, hard hours. Often those hours are filled with the unexpected and yet you are expected to perform to keep your patients safe and save lives. It is a known fact that nurses work under very stressful conditions but that stress is not to impact patient care. So what are you doing to protect your health? I am asking who takes care of you?
I found an interesting statement about the reason nurses experience high levels of stress. It said that people who go into nursing are motivated by a strong desire to help others. It goes on to say that these nurses may be prone to stress and other negative physical symptoms and for that same reason they take on the problems of their patients.(Janette Dill, PhD, University of Akron).
Generally nurses recognize stress and poor coping patterns in others and are ready to offer advice and teach strategies after identifying the stress related behaviors. These coping techniques and strategies are not only good for others but they work for you as well. You must be able to recognize the same negative behaviors in yourself, or acknowledge them when pointed out by someone else.
Here is a list of coping strategies and techniques you may find helpful. As you read this list, you will find some suggestions that just don’t fit for you. That’s OK. Pick, choose, and try various techniques until you find the right one for you. Don’t get stressed. If something doesn’t fit move on to something else. As you are trying the various techniques, don’t get frustrated if at first you do not succeed. It is important to be patient and remember that your stress did not occur over night so it will take time to unlearn and replace the old behaviors with new behaviors.
These 10 techniques with brief comments or descriptions may be helpful. If you desire more information, remember there are numerous resources available.
Lets start with activities that are fairly easy and inexpensive or no cost.
- COUNT TO TEN. This is very helpful when you need to take immediate action. Stop what you’re doing, take a deep breath. As you breath in, slowly count to ten, release the breath, then speak or take action. This usually allows one to quickly process the incoming information before reacting to it.
- TAKE 3 OR 5 MINUTES. When you become overwhelmed, remove yourself from the situation/environment. Go into another room where you can have a conversation with yourself. You can screen or cry. The important thing is to let out the tension.
- GO FOR A WALK. Remove yourself from the situation that is creating the stress. Get some fresh air, take in a change in scenery.
- VARY YOUR ROUTINE. Have something different to do. Doing the same thing day in and day out gets boring and can lead to inaction.
- INCREASE ACTIVITY. Going for a walk or run can decrease stress but even if you’re not going to do that level of exercise, you want to do something besides sit on the sofa and or sleep. Increased activity benefits you in many ways. You might decide to straighten your closet.
- POSITIVE AFFIRMATONS. Quotes or favorite saying can help to calm you or redirect your energy toward positive outcomes. They can be brief one liners that point you in a different direction and changes your thinking about the situation or yourself.
Next Level Strategies
- JOURNALING. Take a few minutes each day to write. Write about the good things in your life. Write about those things that trouble you. Often times you will find the solution written in the sentences you’ve written about.
- SCHEDULING. Plan your day from the outset. Start with the major events or tasks. Then fill in with smaller tasks. Be sure to plan so there is free time. If something unforeseen happens, you will still be able to accomplish the necessary tasks.
- SPONTANEIOUS. Be willing to do something that wasn’t planned. You never know what wonderful surprise awaits you.
- Do something you ENJOY. Read a book, play a game, spend time with family and friends. Decrease your isolation.
BONUS. Some of these techniques can be demonstrated to your patients. While you are teaching them, you can benefit when you demonstrate the techniques to assure the patient knows what to do.
HAPPY DECREASED STRESS NURSES WEEK