Struggling with work/life balance

Nurses Stress 101

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I work 3 days a week, 12 hour shifts with every other weekend off. I've been struggling for a long time to work in some kind of life outside of work but I'm finding it difficult with a schedule that changes from week to week. Each schedule covers 4 weeks but I don't get it until a week before it starts.

I feel like I've had so much of my life on hold until I felt better established but even now, I'm having a hard time making plans (and forget about doing anything after working for 12+ hours on a busy floor). I'd like to enroll in a yoga class or a Zumba class or even join a book club but the changing schedule would cause me to miss classes/meetings.

I burnt out pretty bad last year and promised myself that I would find some work and life balance. I've made getting enough rest a priority and that's helped but I need some fun in my life. Between work and family obligations, that's not happening.

I can't be the only person struggling with this. Anybody out there have any ideas or suggestions?

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Specializes in POST PARTUM/NURSERY/L&D/WOMENS SERVICES.

you can have a life, you just have to be flexible...and don't make plans...

I work the same schedule, but for years I worked every fri sat sun...I loved that......

I belong to a 24 hour gym that has a pool, and of course every other amenity known to man. I like the classes, and there is an option to do it by myself at night...which I love...but my favorite thing is going there after a shift and chilling in the pool. I swim laps and then chill in the Jacuzzi...

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Specializes in Psych., Rehabilitation, Developmental Di.

Go natural. If you're not allergic to it, 3 cups of camomile tea a day. I am a Certified Hypnotist, former nurse retired, and I do Spirutual counseling and intuitive work. My sense is that toxicity is an issue. Yoga is a great idea. Breathing exercises. Probiotics. Meditation. Go to You Tube and learn a little self hypnosis. I think this will benefit you most. Personal message me anytime. I'm here to help. Good luck.

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Its a long road- but do something about it before you have a crisis and are forced to take a break.

Build habits now- water- eating healthy- exercise that you enjoy- baseline needs to come first.

I learned firsthand just how replaceable I was.... your job is just as replaceable...

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It was about a year ago that I really burnt out. I'm feeling much better now. Getting enough sleep and eating well are now a part of my routine.

As somebody else posted, I guess what I'm looking for is hobbies or outside interests that are possible with the irregular schedule that so many of us work.

There is a 24 hour gym that I could look into and I'm sure that would benefit me. I'm trying to come up with activities that are less solitary that don't necessarily have to fall on the same day of the week. What do you all do for fun that fits in with an irregular schedule?

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

As for missing a few classes and meetings ... So what? ... That doesn't mean you can't go when you can go. Learn to participate in things on a part-time basis. It's not like missing a Zumba session will "set you behind" to the point of not being able to participate live the next week. If the people in the book club are nice people, they will understand that you occasionally miss a meeting. (Maybe you could communicate via e-mail to find out what you missed on those times you had to miss.)

And make some friends at work so that you might find someone to trade shifts now and then if you find you are missing too many sessions in a row.

Find groups to join that don't require your constant physical presence.

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