Working as a nurse can mess with your stress levels and your mental health. For many nurses, emergency life and death patient health situations are just the tip of the iceberg. Working long hours on your feet, navigating sometimes difficult workplace politics, and caring for sick and/or angry patients on a day to day basis are other additional causes of stress.
The art of self-care is often essential to long-term happiness as a nurse. Most social workers define self-care as taking the time to take care of your own mental health needs first before helping others. They go on the say that self-care is in no way selfish, as it is impossible to nourish other people if your own well is dry.
Below are a few ways in which to cope with high stress levels in the workplace through self-care.
Practice Gratitude
It may not seem like much, but actively taking time to appreciate the good things in your life at the end of every day is a powerful way in which to strengthen your mental health. In fact, there are a lot of surprising benefits when we feel grateful. These go far beyond your mental health, but have actually been shown to positively impact your physical health, reduce negative emotions, and build self-worth.
Robert Emmons, a leading gratitude researcher, has found that those who expressed gratitude regularly tended to have fewer health issues, slept longer and more deeply, felt more satisfied about their current place in life, and looked more positively towards what the future had in store for them.
Furthermore, individuals that wrote down at least three things they were grateful for every night tended to have better relationships because they were in the habit of recognizing and expressing positive feelings toward others. These people also tended to be happier at work because they were able to find the good in all sorts of difficult situations.
Get Physical
Young students entering college, moving away from home, and beginning to take on new responsibilities are often at risk for high stress levels and anxiety. For this reason, many universities provide information about how to reduce stress in college. Often times these tips are useful far beyond studying for finals, but are actually highly applicable to both work and our lives in general.
For instance, the profound physical and mental health benefits of regular exercise. For many nurses, after a full day of work, it can be difficult to find desire to exercise, or do much of anything aside from melt into a bed and sleep. However, even something as simple as a brisk 30 minute walk can release endorphins and pent up adrenaline, and burn calories. All of these things help to make you feel happier and more relaxed, which is key to successful stress management.
Step Away
Another great way in which to improve your self-care while at work is to take a break! Small breaks throughout the workday have actually been shown to be highly beneficial to both productivity and mental health, contrary to popular belief. Regular breaks help the mind to relax and focus on something else for a short period of time, which can help us to think more clearly and make better decisions upon our return.
Sometimes no matter what we do to practice self-care, things happen at work that are simply overwhelming. In these instances, it can be okay to step away from the situation. Take a deep breath, remember what you are grateful for, relax, and gather your bearings before you return. You will work better and be happier for it.
In workplaces such as hospitals and other nursing settings, a number of things can contribute to stress and mental strain. It is important to remember that one of the best ways to address stress, for both your and your patients, is to practice self-care. Finding things you are grateful for every day, exercising, and taking necessary work breaks are great ways to get started!
--------------------------------------------
Follow us on Facebook
www.thefilipinonurse.net
The filipinonurse.net is always on the lookout for interesting stories about Filipino Nurses worldwide. If you know of a Filipino nurse who should be featured here, please feel free to send us a message via our Facebook Page.
0 Comments