Dealing with Stress at Work

[Davey Do]

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!

[Racer15, BSN, RN]

Davey Do said:

Thank you all for sharing, and a special thanks to Orion and Racer who shared their sensitive stories. Self-examination and to admit our shortcomings is a difficult thing to do.

Early in my nursing career, as an LPN, I was complaining of a patient's behavior to an RN. She gave me a perspective that I still use to this day- she said, "Remember: any of these patients could be you. You could be any of these patients. There for the grace of God go I".

I am better than no one else. No one else is better than me. We are all equals. This concept helps me to deal with the stress of a high maintenance patient. And many times, I can see myself in them, which lessens my frustration and helps to keep me humble.

These methods of dealing with stress have to be practiced regularly, else I find myself on a high horse invariably to be knocked off. Again.

I share my story every chance I get. One of our own ER nurses took her life in September and it tore our little family apart. I sometimes wonder if I had opened up to her about my depression, maybe she would have reached out. I'm here for anyone that wants to talk or just hear my story to know they aren't alone.

[Davey Do]

Being open to share your story of one who has been in the depths of depression and has transcended that event can show others in despair that the situation can be transcended. How wonderful of you. That transition is a conscious-changing event.

My heart goes out to you for your and your family's loss, Racer. Losing a close workmate must have been an earth shattering, traumatic experience.

Having to accept the choices we and others make is a difficult process, also. The philosophy of "We do the very best we can at any given time" helps us to accept the outcome of circumstances.

Also being open to also allow others to see that they're not alone and availing yourself is a gracious offering, Racer. Thank you.

[Davey Do]

Last week, my MN shift work wife Eleanor and I were providing care to the patients on geriatric psych at shift change. We received no assistance from the day shift nurses who came on the unit and merely sat in the nurses station, for nearly a half an hour, waiting for report.

I thought of the old song, "Three Coins in a Fountain".

[SmilingBluEyes]

I am a nurse manager. I know stress, having been a staff nurse 20 years and now this. I also love to eat for comfort, and I gained 45 pounds in 2 years d/t stress.

Now when I am stressed: I turn the lights low in my office, listen to music while I work, and when it's bad enough for me to possibly take it out on the wrong person, I literally walk outside and do breathing exercises ( I have a great ap on my i-phone that guides meditation and breathing for stress). Only when I am calmer do I step back into the melee.

Oh and I have lost 50lb in the past year!!!! Eating healthier food, drinking more water and moving has de-stressed my life so much.