[sticknurse]

We used a cheesy old exercise video (Richard Simmons) to wake ourselves up and refocus at work during downtime. It was fun and had a positive effect.

[Nurses Self Care]

Hello to all
Great thread, exciting to see nurses talking about taking care of themselves
The single most important 'thing' we can do is simply put ourselves first and make time for self care
For me personally at the moment its yoga - WAY better than therapy and cheaper!!

[CseMgr1]

I am no longer allowing Management's mismanagement to become my emergency. Period.

Because my Manager failed to fax me the information yesterday I needed in order to complete an admission, it's not going to get done.

I'm through stressing and being held accountable for their mistakes.

I feel better already!

[femsmahus]

What a great thread! Why is it that we are so willing to put ourselves last? I have always put everyone before myself, even people I didn't know! This is how I started taking better care of myself and it cut my stress down considerably.

As I was approaching my 40th birthday I spent some time thinking about what I thought at 20.... what did I think my 40 would be like? Well... this wasn't it; a stressed out hag. So here is what I changed:

~NO! I say no. That doesn't mean that I don't do things for other people, but I stop and consider the impact it will have on me to say yes. It was so liberating!

~I stopped apologizing for everything. If I don't want to go somewhere or do something I don't apoligize for it. None of us should feel like we have to apologize for putting ourselves first.

~I resist the urge to explain myself. Again, if I decline an invitation I simply say "Thank you for asking but I won't be able to come."

~and as mean as this may sound... I purposefully rid myself of "friends" that were sucking the life out of me. Not without explaination mind you, but I had a few friends that I spent more time on their problems than my own.

And I run, run, run. And after my run I drink a great big Diet Coke with no guilt what so ever.

TiredBraveHeart... my thoughts and prayers go out to you. You are obviously overwhelmed. Remember... you matter. Taking care of yourself is necessary if you are going to keep going, even if it is only 15 minutes a day listening to piano music or playing yourself.

[Nurses Self Care]

Dear femsmahus

Thanks for your post, great attitude
More of us need to follow your example

[muffie]

okay
here it is

manicures q 3 weeks
pedicures q 4 weeks
lunch out 2-3 x week
sleep in on days off
bike along river
dinner out as often as possible
take off work as much as possible
buying jewelry and make-up

all works wonders for my psyche

[softstorms]

muffie has the best response.......you can use those rules not matter were you are in your life

[bethin]

Once a week I buy a candy bar. Just one. That bar has to last me the entire week. I use it as a reward. At the end of the day when I just want to give up, I take it out of the freezer and have one bite. Sometimes just looking at it makes me smile. Don't know why and I know it sounds kooky, but it works for me. Gives me something to look forward to.

I have one day a week (usually Monday's) where I answer no phone calls, no emails, nothing. I don't watch the news. No homework. I take a walk for pleasure and not to burn calories. I surf the net only for pleasure. It's kind of like the candybar - I look forward to it.

And next month I'm going to a monastary. A long weekend with no cellphones or computers allowed. The monks have taken a vow of silence. I can do what I want when I want as long as I don't speak. And it's completely free! Four days with no email or phone calls. I don't think I'll want to leave.

[Diary/Dairy]

Great post Bethin - I was assigned to write daily about what I am doing to take care of myself. One thing I like about Seattle is all the walking I am doing. I hope to lose some weight while I am here.
I plan to spend one day of this week off doing nothing at all (probably tomorrow) I will order in and just relax and rest from this long strech at work.
I am also trying to tell myself less of what I "should" do so that I feel less guilty when I do not do what I "should" be doing.

[donster]

Last week I started step aerobics in a class. There's about 15 of us, and it's for college credit, so it's motivation to attend. It's twice a week, an hour at a time, so we get a good workout. On the off-days, I do about 45 minutes with 5 lb hand weights. Keeping the diet low carb (not NO carb...), high fiber, and I continue to drink lots of water. I'm able now to tell the difference in my clothes, and have been able to wear things that I haven't worn in several years... like my favorite jeans!!! I got them on last week, and I was not only able to zip them, but I could fasten the button. They are a 38 in. waist... I'm so happy!