Dealing with Stress at Work

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

Davey Do said:
When stressed at work, I have been known to go curl up in a corner, get into a fetal position, stick my thumb in my mouth, cry loudly, and soil myself.

I'm only kidding.

I don't really soil myself!

There have been several threads and articles on this subject and I'd like this thread to be an interactive one on methods we've employed that have worked for us!

Specializes in PICU.

I really love my cup of coffee and exercise really helps. Sometimes I will actually walk to the bus stop that is a mile a way. On occasion I have been known to walk home which is about 8 miles.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
pixierose said:
Work has been rough lately.

I've been one to break out into ... dance. I suck at dancing. At the nurses station. Entering a (good natured) patients' room. Sometimes the dumbest of twirls when delivering a urine cup makes me, and the patient, smile.`

1784446656_howcool.png.b07b768de8a8a95593334ddcd89da888.png

"Dance like nobody's watching"!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Crush said:
We get some our pts involved in games. Get them up and challenge them to a game of Spades or Rummy. Sometimes a little Farkle or Uno. But that depends on the unit I am on and the kind of pts I have. Bonus is not only are staff destressed but it does wonders for the pts too. I realize where I work is a bit different as we have darn good staffing so we are able to do this once in a while.

Brings the community together, so to speak.

Crush said:
If the shift went to heck and I could not destress at work, I crank up my radio on the way home and put on my music extra loud. If I need to cry or cuss, that is my time to do it. Once I am home, I leave any negatives at the doorstep.

I believe there was a 12 step philosophy I heard of years ago that went something like "Name it, claim it, leave it" as a method of dealing with psyche pain. I Googled those words but couldn't find it, but your method of dealing with workplace stress reminded me of that philosophy.

Anyway, Crush, it would seem that you have a very healthy method in dealing with your workplace stress.

Kudos to you!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

I am wayyyy to fond of eating my feelings. I tend to go for cheese or chocolate. I also grind/ clench my teeth at night. I am avoiding the dentist lately. I also hold stress in my shoulders and lower back (I am a mess!!)

We are doing a biggest loser competition at work which I am in the lead with so far.

so last night when I got thrown a massive curveball at work I was very proud that I went got take out but instead of a carb heavy gourmet burger and fries I got a plate of green beans to start and then some dumplings. I then used my spiky ball for my shoulders.....but I am not perfect and didn't use my mouthgaurd

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
NightNerd said:
Haha the food definitely isn't the best coping mechanism. I'm way too prone to go for sugary treats when stressed out, even though by now I've learned that it doesn't feel good afterward.

Isn't that something?! I, too, don't feel good after eating those sugary treats.

I have a reputation for my bag of carrots & kale & sometimes tomatoes that I munch on while charting. That little snack causes me to feel good and gives me a little boost that a bag of M&M's doesn't.

NightNerd said:
It's hard to think of good coping mechanisms that can be done on the floor, especially when it's a crazy night. Depending on who I work with, I can sometimes convince one or two people to join me in some stretching or standing yoga poses for a few minutes. That helps, but sometimes it's just not realistic.

It's those "Two Minute Vacations" and how we spend those two minutes that are so important- your great method is stretching or yoga. Mine is art.

I nearly always keep a journal on me. I have little pocket ones for quick notes or sketches for later review and consideration. One shift not too long ago, I was feeling rather stressed and anxious, so I pulled out my journal for a quick sketch. Now usually the sketch or note relates to a specific situation, but this time, I had no idea of how to express my stress, so I drew this:

1689034589_antianxietyart.jpg.c3fb2cd00add667d3db75029bc760edf.jpg

The two minutes it took me to sketch this relieved some anxiety and allowed me to go on with my shift less stressed and more comfortable.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
K+MgSO4 said:
We are doing a biggest loser competition at work which I am in the lead with so far.

Funny!

K+MgSO4 said:
so last night when I got thrown a massive curveball at work I was very proud that I went got take out but instead of a carb heavy gourmet burger and fries I got a plate of green beans to start and then some dumplings. I then used my spiky ball for my shoulders.....but I am not perfect and didn't use my mouthgaurd

In chemcal dependency treatment, small amounts of progress was called "Baby Steps".

BabySteps.jpg.ab8f540a4c7da8c2461113cc3ca22e55.jpg

Keep on keeping on, K+MgSO4!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
RNNPICU said:
On occasion I have been known to walk home which is about 8 miles.

Wow. Yeah. 8 miles!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
K+MgSO4 said:
...I also grind/ clench my teeth at night. I am avoiding the dentist lately. I also hold stress in my shoulders and lower back (I am a mess!!)

.....but I am not perfect and didn't use my mouthgaurd

We must use our night guards !!! We could chew right through the firkin' headboard!

Plus desserts are very good for stress. I gave up sugar for the fun of it, ha, a month ago. I was sick of my sugar addiction and wanted to see if I would actually die without it. Nope still here. I do feel a little better and a tiny bit lighter as well.

It was so hard to pass up coconut cake at this place that has it all packaged and ready to go. It's all light and fluffy! It's actually nice just thinking about it.

Oh did I mention I'm not actually working as a nurse right now though I am a nurse/person or vice versa. I still have 'stress at work' now and again even not working.

The biggest loser game sounds fun. Glad you're ahead fellow night grinder. :cat:

Drawing is a nice way for you and also us, Davey Do! Thanks for the laughs. It is the best medicine! :up:

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.
Davey Do said:
There have been several threads and articles on this subject and I'd like this thread to be an interactive one on methods we've employed that have worked for us!

For me, I go to my office, shut the door and pray, not a long time, just few minutes. I keep my Bible in my drawer. Sometimes I read the Psalms. I also drink some water because dehydrated cells get sleepy and if I am tired, I can get crabbier faster. I also exercise at home so that helps too. I keep a bottle of essential oils in Lavender. That fragrance is relaxing.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.
wondern said:
We must use our night guards !!! We could chew right through the firkin' headboard!

Plus desserts are very good for stress. I gave up sugar for the fun of it, ha, a month ago. I was sick of my sugar addiction and wanted to see if I would actually die without it. Nope still here. I do feel a little better and a tiny bit lighter as well.

It was so hard to pass up coconut cake at this place that has it all packaged and ready to go. It's all light and fluffy! It's actually nice just thinking about it.

Oh did I mention I'm not actually working as a nurse right now though I am a nurse/person or vice versa. I still have 'stress at work' now and again even not working.

The biggest loser game sounds fun. Glad you're ahead fellow night grinder. :cat:

Drawing is a nice way for you and also us, Davey Do! Thanks for the laughs. It is the best medicine! :up:

I love coconut cake!!! Yum

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.
Davey Do said:

Isn't that something?! I, too, don't feel good after eating those sugary treats.

I have a reputation for my bag of carrots & kale & sometimes tomatoes that I munch on while charting. That little snack causes me to feel good and gives me a little boost that a bag of M&M's doesn't.

It's those "Two Minute Vacations" and how we spend those two minutes that are so important- your great method is stretching or yoga. Mine is art.

I nearly always keep a journal on me. I have little pocket ones for quick notes or sketches for later review and consideration. One shift not too long ago, I was feeling rather stressed and anxious, so I pulled out my journal for a quick sketch. Now usually the sketch or note relates to a specific situation, but this time, I had no idea of how to express my stress, so I drew this:

1277238009_antianxietyart.jpg.cfbf843f5a16cd534d9b1dde16e14c2e.jpg

The two minutes it took me to sketch this relieved some anxiety and allowed me to go on with my shift less stressed and more comfortable.

Artist Nurse. Alright!!!! ?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
wondern said:
We must use our night guards !!! We could chew right through the firkin' headboard!

533486485_sleepingwondern.png.cc2ccaf7a0bc58021f33aa0a2ad81799.png

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment