Can't destress. Don't know what to do!

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So, for quite some time now I've really struggled to get my emotions under control. And while I'm sure its not all about work, that seems to be where the bulk of my anxiety is centered. Its a constant cycle every week, the day before I go in to work I am miserable; exhausted, I just have this overwhelming sense of dread and hopelessness that makes me just want to crawl under my blanket and hide; and I'm like that through my stretch of shifts until I am off for a few days again. I'm fine for a day or two, but then it just starts all over as soon as I'm close to going back to work. My health has started to decline as a result of all of this, several months ago I found out I had precancerous cells on my cervix that I had to have a LEEP procedure to take care of, I've gained weight, etc. I've tried to think of solutions, from quitting nursing all together to going per diem, the latter of which I will likely do as soon as I can. The problem is, I don't know if there is a viable solution. What if I will constantly feel like this no matter what I do? I've considered going to our EAP but I just can't bring myself to go to them, nor to really talk about this stuff aloud to anyone. Has anyone else felt like this before? I need help!

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TNViking, I feel your pain. I have the same problem before work. How long have you been a nurse?

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Specializes in Adult Nurse Practitioner.

What have you TRIED to "destress"?

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Roughly a year and a half.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Roughly a year and a half.

Certainly there are many nurses with anxiety disorders. The first thing to do is to find out if it's work that's causing this stress. If so there are many things that you can, such as adopting a health lifestyle that includes, diet, exercise, medication and mindful living. If you are a person who imbibes in ETOH consider cutting back. Get quality sleep. I have large vegetable garden and work in it almost every day. I learned how to leave work at work and home worries at home. But like Ihflanurse asked what do you do to destress.

Hppy

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