Stress SOS for nurses

Vital Signs Taking, making rounds in fully- occupied hospital wards, regularly standing for long hours, assisting doctors with their rounds... so much to mention. These are all the responsibilities that nurses must do everyday with their lives when on duty. Not to mention all the emotional and mental impacts of helpless patients they see and the cry for recovery they hear. All these are summed up into one word. Might be a cliche, but highly evident: STRESS.

Everybody has that "Nurse friend" who they always hear complaining about Backaches, Leg pain, Headaches, Mental draining, heartbreaks from melancholic patient-related scenarios, and the most famous rant we hear from them.. "I NEED MY BEEEEED!". Funny as these may sound, but don't take them as lightly yet, these are actually universally- claimed complaints from nurses all over the world. After a day's work,  nurses end up throwing their tired buds off on that much needed bed. Aaaaah. Finally... Sleep. Heaven.

Alright, nurses. I know exactly that words couldn't picture out how stressful our endeavor is, but think of and hold on to some ways on how you could actually brush off those negativeness. Time to turn those "Awwwwwwwws" into "Yeeeeeeeeeys". Besides, we always find ways. Right?

Here are some effective ways to brighten you up after or even before a Stressful Shift: 

1. Keep it Positive (+)

Yes, I know. The term "positive" in our field could imply many threatening things, like a positive HIV test from a patient or a Positive mark on a HBsAG laboratory test. But think the other way around and let's temporarily break free from the stigma of the word and infuse ourselves with it. Be Positive, as in, think good. Set your mind in a more enthusiastic path. Imagine that your day will be as bright as the smile of  that well-built, tall and intelligent doctor you've been eyeing on. Bring out the auspicious side of you. Don't stress yourself early in the morning by thinking and actually imagining how miserable your day will be again. Just keep the good energy flow. You know what they say, Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose. So we always have a choice, Come on the brighter side!

2. Eat your heart out.

Maybe you have been craving to eat at your favorite cake shop all week, or you might have been daydreaming of munching on a quarter- pound burger the whole time you were watching your patients' folks bring in food inside their rooms. I know everyone's gonna nod "yes" when I say, food is one of the things that could console our weary bodies and minds. Why not treat yourself with your cravings once in a while? we don't need to imprison ourselves with the thought of curved body lines and long slim thighs. If a slice of cheesy pizza makes you happy, then go and grab one! - or maybe two. And please forget about those nutrition classes you took in college and drop off counting the carbs when you eat, this will only make you feel guilty and fat. After all, we know that the best time to laugh and talk about "the happenings" at work is while having a great meal with great people after our shift, Agree?

PS: Nurses, when talking about "the happenings" in public places, you might wanna use code names for people. This is not endorsement time, guys. LOL

3. Hydration is key

Water is life. Bit of like a common phrase, however above the general public, it should be us who acknowledge what miracles water does in our body.  No wonder why doctors scream when nurses fail to initiate an IV Fluid on time or  delayed IV fluid follow-ups. Hence, aside from pens and bandage scissors, make it a habit to make a bottle of water a part of your kit.

4. Do what you love.

It’s so much easier to manage pockets of stress when the rest of your life is filled with activities you love. Even if your job is stress central, you can find one hobby or two that enrich your world. What are you passionate about? If you’re not sure, experiment with a variety of activities to find something that’s especially meaningful and fulfilling.

5. Talk it away!

Alright. Just because you're a Nurse doesn't mean you need to be the "stress absorber" all the time. Sometimes, a group of friends who we could rant about anything could be a could way out of stress. Why not call for a coffee session after work and just talk it out away with them? Venting out to people you trust and enjoy with is a good form of stress management. 

6. Catch some Zzzzzz....

Sleep is beyond words, the most rewarding retreat for nurses. Waking up early at dawn is part of the daily routine of morning shift nurses. As draining as this may sound, what more could the night shift nurses feel? they sacrifice their time for sleep so the patients may take their medicines at 2am.  It is quite common to hear "sleep" when nurses all over the world are asked what they need the most. We have learned all through out the 4 years of Nursing education that aside from the nutrients from the food we eat, the next major source of energy is to have long hours of power sleep. So, whether it's a well-deserved day off or time off from work, GO and indulge yourself in the comfort of your bed.

Disclaimer: The above mentioned paragraph is only to be done at home and not at the nursing station. The author will not be liable for any nurses sent to the chief nurse's office caught sleeping while on duty. *Wink!

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