How to NOT cry at work

Nurses General Nursing

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Mulan

2,228 Posts

no quick fix, but menopause will take care of that

Specializes in Tele, Infectious Disease, OHN.

Believe it or not if I feel myself start to goet teary I open the freezer door and stick my head in for 30-60 seconds. It seems to help me stopa as well as keeps my eyes and face from swelling up so much. Good luck!!

kxvc

119 Posts

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm a pretty proud individual. If I know someone is out to get me then I do everything in my power to not let them see me cry. I'll smile - because they hate to see you smile - and remain completely calm, but I'll be darned if they get to see me cry. In my mind I am thinking all the wonderful things I would like to do or say, or I simply take myself away from the situation, in my mind, and think about what plans I have for the next day.

Of course, this doesn't always work because some things just get you where it hurts, but it really works for me until I can go somewhere and let it all out.

leslie :-D

11,191 Posts

i don't know why this works for me, but:

whenever i feel i'm going to cry and don't want to, i press inbetween my eyebrows/upper bridge of nose.

and voila, the urge is gone.

again, can't explain it but it always, always works.

same w/sneezing...

all i do is pinch my nose.

and voila!

urge is gone.

difference being, i love to sneeze.:)

anyway wooh, give it a shot.

touch firmly, inbetw eyes/eyebrows and keep finger there til urge subsides.

heh.

i will die if this works.

leslie

Specializes in Pediatrics.

Along the same lines as sticking your head in the freezer, I have found that (if you can) drinking a really really cold glass of water will stop me crying, or the urge, anytime. I don't know why/how it works but I have had to use it at work more than once!!!

I am also one of those people that will cry in response to frustration/anger and it is SO ANNOYING... I feel your pain.

MzMouse

295 Posts

Specializes in LTC, office.

I understand, I am the same way. I don't hide my stress very well and when it gets too bad the tears will come.

Deep breaths will help and sometimes going into an empty room and taking a minute to myself can get me under control. On the occasion that the tears are coming and I can't help myself I also find an empty exam room. I hate crying to work. :(

allthingsbright

1,569 Posts

Specializes in LDRP.

Wear some waterproof mascara, carry around a bottle of visine, and if you need to shed some tears, find a private place and do so.

I think that if you give yourself permission to ry, you atually may find you dont cry as much. For me, feeling like I have to hold my emotions in makes me even more teary eyed.

Ya know, it is ok to be upset! (((HUGS)))

We're human, believe it or not. Ive been a nurse for just over 2 years and Ive had to deal with crying at work. Ive generally always been a "cry out of anger/frustration"...i get embarrassed crying at work, and put extra effort into not letting some co workers see my cry out of pride. I always have an hair elastic on my wrist, when I feel the "dont cry dont cry" feeling I give it a little snap. Stops my brain from over reacting. The freezer is always a good friend to decrease puffy eyes, and often it holds ice cream which can be an added pleasant surprise when having a moment....

Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

Gee wooh, sorry to hear this. Yes nursing does get under your skin doesn't it?

I have never cried at work, probably cos I'm too busy getting angry and trying to control THAT! I am not a person who gets easily intimidated by anyone wahtsoever; I think with a clear head and can give articulate and intelligent replies. But when a fav patient or baby has died, I've gone into the tearoom and balled my eyes out.

Can you go into the toilet at all? I know you said it isn't practical. I'm tired so not thinking real straight, can you ask to attend a course or something.

Sorry mate if I think of something I will let you know.

Hugs for now!!

wooh, BSN, RN

1 Article; 4,383 Posts

Wow, I posted this a long time ago. And STILL have this problem. Crying is what I do when I'm frustrated or angry. It's rare at work that I cry out of sadness. But when you're trying your best for your patients, and things aren't happening the way they should because of other people's stupidity or laziness, well, I get frustrated a lot.

Rereading the comments, I remember thinking, "I have to remember that pushing between my eyes thing!" But forgot about it when the need presented itself. So trying again to put that in my memory.

"Luckily" I'm not the only one on my unit that's the same way, so it's not just ME at least. But it really bothers me. I even took a class once, that one of the topics was avoiding tears in stressful situations. I think the advice there was to walk away for a moment. But for me, when I eventually have to go back, the situation is still the same and my tears come right back. Which is frustrating, which makes me even more tearful! Argh!!

One of the women at work said something like, "yeah, I've just gotten to where I expect to be frustrated and annoyed, so I'm prepared for it." But then I get in trouble for my negative attitude. I just need to go become a toll booth operator. So often, that's seemed like it would just be the perfect job. :)

Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.
Wow, I posted this a long time ago. And STILL have this problem. Crying is what I do when I'm frustrated or angry. It's rare at work that I cry out of sadness. But when you're trying your best for your patients, and things aren't happening the way they should because of other people's stupidity or laziness, well, I get frustrated a lot.

Rereading the comments, I remember thinking, "I have to remember that pushing between my eyes thing!" But forgot about it when the need presented itself. So trying again to put that in my memory.

"Luckily" I'm not the only one on my unit that's the same way, so it's not just ME at least. But it really bothers me. I even took a class once, that one of the topics was avoiding tears in stressful situations. I think the advice there was to walk away for a moment. But for me, when I eventually have to go back, the situation is still the same and my tears come right back. Which is frustrating, which makes me even more tearful! Argh!!

One of the women at work said something like, "yeah, I've just gotten to where I expect to be frustrated and annoyed, so I'm prepared for it." But then I get in trouble for my negative attitude. I just need to go become a toll booth operator. So often, that's seemed like it would just be the perfect job. :)

wooh I think this shows you are a sensitive and caring person. You can nurse me anyday!

I'll sleep on it and get back to you.

You'll be right; we'll think of something.

Get a good sleep and try not to think about it for 2nite.

Seeya matey.

Caza

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