[Ms.RN]

HI!!!!

How do you guys relieve stress of being in nursing school? I'm really stressed right now and I just dont know how to relieve it. I feel like I"m going insane!!!!

[SoulShine75]

I know exactly how you feel. My hair has been falling out and I have been having some anxiety too. I'm a normal person, or was before all of this and now feel on edge more than usual. It comes and goes for me. Some days I'm fine and then when all of the pressure comes on I start going through the cycle again. What has been helping me is to get away from it...even if it's something I have to do at the time. I just walk away and do something else for a while to keep my mind off of it. I made my husband take me out tonight even though I have a test Wed. and should have studied for it. I needed to get away from my books so I could decompress. I also do a lot of deep breathing. I know this all sounds nutty, but that is the reality of nursing school sometimes. Take a long hot bath, have a cocktail , lol, spend quality time with family and friends and get out of the house more, even if it's just to take a trip to Wal-Mart, read your bible, recite some daily affirmations....anything helps. I created a blog where I can vent all of my frustrations. If it makes you feel better knowing that someone else out there is going through the same then check it out. http://my-journey-as-a-student-nurse.blogspot.com/

Just remember that you're not alone. You can do it and you'll get through it. Good luck.

[Medwynn]

Stress ...

Here is what i do when i'm stressed ...
-Decrease caffeine intake , Listen to music, Veg on the cough watching TV, Read some of my favorite message boards in cyberspace, Cook something interesting from scratch in the kitchen, Take a walk/exercise, Play with my dogs, Hang out with my significant other, Stay out of the house where those dreaded nursing books are, Not even think about nursing school (my favorite), take a nap, well you get the point.

You need some YOU time. Find that quiet spot. Nursing school is sooo not worth being soo stressed over.

[greatan]

Exercise works wonders. Whenever I get stressed I get on the treadmill and before I know it I've done a mile and a half. After a very stressful day I also bake...cookies, brownies, cheesecake, and cook. My family loves that part of my stress decompression. For some reason chopping things up to prepare dinner works wonders. Of course every once and a while you just need to take a day off to do absolutely nothing, just clear your mind.

[Spidey's mom]

When I was in school I started jogging on the track - exercise is therapy for me.

steph

[opradiva]

Originally Posted by stevielynn

When I was in school I started jogging on the track - exercise is therapy for me.

steph

Exercise does it for me as well. I work at a gym, so I get plenty of opportunities to lift weights and do aerobics. This has been a great stress reliever for me.

:Melody: opradiva

[jbjints]

I play World of Warcraft to relieve stress.

[Spidey's mom]

Originally Posted by opradiva

Exercise does it for me as well. I work at a gym, so I get plenty of opportunities to lift weights and do aerobics. This has been a great stress reliever for me.

:Melody: opradiva

My school was 70 miles away from home so during pre-reqs I took a P.E. class. Then during nursing school, I did the jogging thing. I had no time for a gym membership.

I do belong to a gym now - it is still a great stress reliever.

steph

[SmetRN2008]

I take time for myself everyday!!! Some things I do to relieve stress are, exercising, cooking, going for long walks (when it's nice out), watching my fav TV shows, spending quality time with my daughter and husband, taking a nap....etc. I try to get all of my studying done during the day and save the evenings for other things. And some days I'm just not up to studying at all and that's ok (not everyday though, lol). Like yesterday I come home from class and was just totally drained and completely exhausted. I couldn't have studied if I tried. So I just relaxed on the couch and took a nap. These types of things are important. Taking care of yourself should come first and you will find that your stress levels will greatly decrease. Nursing school is stressful and at times you almost do feel like pulling your hair out but it doesn't have to be that way ALL the time. I have noticed I do much better on tests and retain alot more information when I'm more relaxed and not so stressed. So just try to relax more and take care of yourself!

[Kiringat]

For a quick relief, I cross-stitch, knit, or pop a in Scrubs DVD for 20 minutes or so.
If I have more time I'll meditate or take a walk.
If I have alot of time, I sleep.