How Do You Unwind?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

Specializes in CNA.

What's your favorite way to blow off steam after work? What helps you to let go of the day's stress? Does anything take your mind off of work or do you replay the day over and over in your head?

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Yes, I will replay the day in my mind OVER and OVER, dwelling on every little thing I did wrong and worrying excessively about it. I am a very high-strung type A person. So. . . I have to spend awhile unwinding at the end of the day, trying to put it all behind me (otherwise I drive myself CRAZY).

As soon as I get into the car, you better believe the radio is blasting all the way home, 12 am or not. It keeps me awake AND helps me to let go of the stress. When I get home, I take a hot shower to detox myself from the yucky microorganisms I collected during my shift. I have a light snack and some chamomile or bedtime tea while I watch a comedy on TV. Then I have to spend another 30 minutes reading a book -- preferably something NOT medical related. If all goes well, I am starting to get drowsy by this point so that I can sleep.

It really helps in unwinding if you don't consume any caffeine during the last half of your shift. You'll be better able to relax when you run out the doors.

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Specializes in LTC.
Yes, I will replay the day in my mind OVER and OVER, dwelling on every little thing I did wrong and worrying excessively about it. I am a very high-strung type A person. So. . . I have to spend awhile unwinding at the end of the day, trying to put it all behind me (otherwise I drive myself CRAZY).

Ditto!

I'm still trying to work on this. Now that the weather is improving I've been taking the dogs out for a walk when I get home. But generally, I come home, sit down on the couch with the laptop, and eat all kinds of junk. It's really bad. I'm tired and stressed and I just want to zone out and mindlessly eat, but once I sit down I have very little motivation to get up and do anything for the rest of the night. And sitting around doing absolutely nothing doesn't exactly help me to stop ruminating.

I know I ought to come home and eat a piece of fruit to curb my hunger until dinner (not fill my face with sweets and snacks) and then start cooking and cleaning. I love cooking but the apartment has to be clean first, and I never want to do that (who does???). I should also exercise and do something a bit more creative than just go on the damn internet! It's a difficult cycle to break. I think since I'm such a perfectionist I procrastinate badly because I think if it's not going to be done perfectly then I can't do it at all. So I do the bare minimum then give up. My boyfriend doesn't do anything around the house either because he's at work or school 12 hours a day. He's graduating in a month and next year I'll be going back to school. I'm not looking forward to that because at this point I wish i was done with school (I have dawdled SO MUCH!!!) but maybe it'll be the kick in the butt that I need.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg.

First, I take a hot bubble bath. No showers-- I've already been on my feet for eight hours.

Then I make some sleepy time tea, mess around on the laptop, and think about everything but medical stuff.

If it's after a day shift, I just chill the rest of the afternoon. After evening shift, I go to bed. After night shift, I'm probably already asleep in the tub as it is.

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But generally, I come home, sit down on the couch with the laptop, and eat all kinds of junk. It's really bad.

OK, I'll admit it. Here's my prescription for those abnormally stressful days:

"Hershey's Chocolate Bar 1 bar PO q2h for stress. Repeat PRN."

Life would be so much easier if Hershey's came in liquid form in IV bags. I would have a Port-a-Cath installed and walk around with the bag on an IV pole all shift.

Whenever a coworker or resident yelled or whined at me to do something I don't have time for in the first place, I would just increase the infusion rate.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg.
OK, I'll admit it. Here's my prescription for those abnormally stressful days:

"Hershey's Chocolate Bar 1 bar PO q2h for stress. Repeat PRN."

Life would be so much easier if Hershey's came in liquid form in IV bags. I would have a Port-a-Cath installed and walk around with the bag on an IV pole all shift.

Whenever a coworker or resident yelled at me, I would just increase the infusion rate.

Some fascinating images you are leaving us with, Coffeemate. :)

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kick my cats.

:nuke:

i am kidding. i would come home and play with my pets. the act of petting them calmed me down.

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Kick my cats.

:nuke:

Somebody call PETA!! :lol2:

Now we know why you're such a happy person. :)

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Somebody call PETA!! :lol2:

Now we know why you're such a happy person. :)

:lol2:

No siccing PETA on me.

*runs off to change my appearance* :coollook:

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Specializes in LTC, Home Health, Hospice.

runaway to the beach...mountains. I do think about the events of the shift, if something went wrong, then knowing I cant change the past only future, vow to never do that again then change my stop next time to better fit, quick thinking..then to the beach or mountains which ever is closer.....

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Specializes in LTC, Home Health, Hospice.

coffeemate cna..your a crack up....

I want coffee infused via a central line at 60 cc qh, then I want a subcath with Dove Dark chocolate infused at 120cc qh....

for the ones that got me all wound up...well, you use your imagination...haha

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Change out of my scrubs ASAP! Get on the laptop and see what's happening in the world. (news, weather, sports) Then it's time for the headphones and listen to some music or pickup my guitar and make my own music! :rckn:

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