Help with Nursing school stress

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:wtosts:I know there are other stress threads on here but the ones I've read are mostly working nurses and what they do to relax and not think about work. I would like to hear from fellow student nurses on how you deal with stress when we have so little time for anything other than studying, clinicals etc. I am in an accelerated program (2nd semester) and am having trouble falling asleep b/c my mine is thinking about all I have to do or worrying about an exam. I've also begun to have stress stomach aches routinely. SO...any tips on how you wind down or calm your mind/body down that doesn't require a lot of time or expenses???? :plsebeg:Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...don't want to resort to anti-anxiety meds!

Thanks!

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:wtosts:I know there are other stress threads on here but the ones I've read are mostly working nurses and what they do to relax and not think about work. I would like to hear from fellow student nurses on how you deal with stress when we have so little time for anything other than studying, clinicals etc. I am in an accelerated program (2nd semester) and am having trouble falling asleep b/c my mine is thinking about all I have to do or worrying about an exam. I've also begun to have stress stomach aches routinely. SO...any tips on how you wind down or calm your mind/body down that doesn't require a lot of time or expenses???? :plsebeg:Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...don't want to resort to anti-anxiety meds!

Thanks!

I've just been accpted to nursing school, but in general when I'm stressed I have to do some thing active that also requires my concentration. Just relaxing only gives me time to think about evrything else I should be doing...which then increases my stress :)

In the past I've gone SCUBA diving, the slow breathing and requirement for me to foccus on the task at hand or put myself at danger....really does help with my stress level. Now that I live in the Pacific NW, it's to cold for me to dive (yes I know folks dive up here but its faaaar to cold for me), I'm learning to White Water Kayak :D

So, I guess....find something fun that requires your concentration :D

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Specializes in Med-Tele, Internal Med PCU.

While I agree with Curious, I would like to add that I've also seen a hypnotist and now self-practice to maintain. The cost was about $400 ($85 X 4 sessions), but in hindsight it was money well spent. The worst part is that it consists of things I already knew and had fell out of practice of using/doing.

I turned to hypnotism through the advice of an instructor out of desparation after 3 terrible tests that generated a low 60s average and eventually cost me the semester. I missed passing by 3 points (5 unit tests and a final) so in 3 test I was able to exhibit knowledge of the 2 hardest units of the semester and on the comprehensive final just not enough to recover from the disasterous start. And the icing on the cake is I cut my studying from 35-40+ hours to 12-18 per week.

I am uncomfortable going into too much detail about hypnotism as I am not a professional. But, if you practice guided imagery with positive re-enforcing statements you are on the right track.

I was very much a non-believer and turned this direction totally out of desparation and the instructors suggestion. Please see my original post on the experience https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/all-i-do-study-doesn-t-get-me-anywhere-295295.html there also may be other suggestions that you find helpful.

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Exercise! I know you think you don't have time. But I believe you should make time because ultimately it's good for everything - your stress level, it helps you sleep, and I think it helps you do better in school if your stress level is decreased. 30 minutes 5 times a week is good.

Kelly

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I agree with exercise but I think yoga is great to de-stress. It involves deep breathing, stretching and meditation. If you don't have time for that at least do some deep breathing exercises throughout the day. Its very calming during those really anxious times.

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I've always been a skeptic about hypnotists too but I guess when other options don't work you have to keep an open mind...thanks for sharing!

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Exercise! I know you think you don't have time. But I believe you should make time because ultimately it's good for everything - your stress level, it helps you sleep, and I think it helps you do better in school if your stress level is decreased. 30 minutes 5 times a week is good.

Kelly

I know exercise is the first thing I went back to. I work out first thing in the morning and it gives me more energy for the day. It's at night that I'm having the problems...I just can't seem to shut myself down. I wish there was a way to recharge our batteries without sleeping, like plugging into an outlet!:D

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Specializes in Alzheimer's Unit, Cardiac.

I agree with exercise. I am just in my second semester but last semester I found out that all I do is sit and study (and I'll admit, snack while I study). So exercising def helped me feel better mentally, emotionally, and physically! Also try to exercise with a friend or someone you like to talk to. This kills two birds with one stone because you get a lil socialization while you are exercising and you don't have to talk about nursing stuff! Just let that time be "your" time.

Also, last semester I ran in to some times where I felt really overwhelmed and like I couldn't catch my breath. My doctor is seeing me right now for this but he showed me how to deep breath. Take a deep breath for 6 seconds, hold it for 6 seconds, and breathe out slowly for 6 seconds. Try that if you get really overwhelmed...!

Hope this helps!

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
Exercise! I know you think you don't have time. But I believe you should make time because ultimately it's good for everything - your stress level, it helps you sleep, and I think it helps you do better in school if your stress level is decreased. 30 minutes 5 times a week is good.

Kelly

I second that...:yeah::yeah:

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Specializes in LTC, wound care.

Caringbella,

Do yourself a big huge favor and try self hypnosis using CD's. I have several, one for relief of test anxiety and study skills (I got it on ebay), and one for health and relaxation. The health and relaxation one "programs" your brain so that when you wake you will wake more refreshed, and also so that a short nap will help refresh you more. The test anxiety cd was the reason I was able to get through chem. I had the most stress about getting through chem since I did so crappy in high school! I took it first to see if I could even get through it (I figured it was my make-or-break class, if I couldn't get a decent grade in it, I'd stop there. But studying every day, working the problems each day and meditating I was able to get a B out of the class and understand the material, too.

It's SO relaxing. It is a wonderful feeling to feel so relaxed. You might even try your library to see if they have any self-hypnosis CDs. I can't recommend them highly enough.

Oh, and on the exercise solution, studies show that students that exercise learn more and more easily than students that don't. I'm guessing that the extra oxygenation helps learning!

Good Luck!

Jane

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I swore by good old deep-breathing and positive visualization.....plus taking 2 bucks and a day off at the barnes and nobles with a diet pepsi, and a small pack of oreos, and a stack of non-nursing related material made for a really nice saturday...

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Specializes in Critical Care.
:wtosts:I know there are other stress threads on here but the ones I've read are mostly working nurses and what they do to relax and not think about work. I would like to hear from fellow student nurses on how you deal with stress when we have so little time for anything other than studying, clinicals etc. I am in an accelerated program (2nd semester) and am having trouble falling asleep b/c my mine is thinking about all I have to do or worrying about an exam. I've also begun to have stress stomach aches routinely. SO...any tips on how you wind down or calm your mind/body down that doesn't require a lot of time or expenses???? :plsebeg:Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...don't want to resort to anti-anxiety meds!

Thanks!

I will be starting my RN Program in Aug and I have found that Yoga and Medatation works really well for me. My thoughts run a mile a min and I have a hard time being able to concentrate on just one thing. Something else that I have taken up in the last 5 months is running. I find that it is time to have to myself. I can think about me and how I am doing. Plus it helps me stay fit and healthy.

Maybe cruise the target or best buy in the area for a good yoga dvd, there are also people that do guided medatation on CD so you can pop it in the player and it will help walk you through the process. You don't even have to do it for the full session if you only have like 20 min. Do it when you can plan the time and you will find you really enjoy your ME time.

Good Luck!

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