How does everyone wind down after work?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Ok, so I worked a 12 hour shift yesterday on the day shift. I was busy all day going back and forth between both of my patients. I left completely exhausted and my entire body sore. About an hour after I got home and showered, I fell asleep probably around 9:30pm and woke up around midnight and now I can't get back to sleep.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't know what to do.

Specializes in ICU.

reading usually works for me - very relaxing :sleep:

0 Votes
Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I don't listen to any music on the way home; gives my brain a chance to process work stuff. Hot hot shower to relax. Dark room and white noise, and I'm in lalaland.

0 Votes
Specializes in CCU & CTICU.

Falling asleep has no longer been a problem since I've started working. Well, scratch that, now I fall asleep in classes. Can't sit still for too long anymore. T_T :zzzzz

I like to surf the net (& this site) after work before hitting the hay.

0 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care,Recovery, ED.

In addition to the above mentions of ETOH and sex, I find Tai Chi and sometimes yoga reduce the stress so the former become more enjoyable.

0 Votes
Specializes in CCU,ICU,ER retired.

20 yrs ago I would drink a bottle of wine. And after I went to drug and alchohol rehab I would go to aa meetings But the last few yrs I worked I would watched mindless cartoons. worked every time cuz I didn't have to think about them.

0 Votes
Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I usually just get on the internet, do my computer stuff, and maybe have a beer or something....

also, i find myself working on chapters in my novel(still wAYYY off from being finished) or working on my performance poetry....writing songs, doing something creative. Helps me feel like I've done something, before going to bed.

If it's been a BADDD shift, I write a letter I have no intention of posting or mailing...and delete it. Helps to get it off my mind...

oh, yeah....and sex is good too......

0 Votes
Specializes in ICU.

somewhere during the bad shift i promise myself a "mike's" when i get home. i talk to myself on the way home if the day was really bad. usually by the time i get home, mike's isn't needed and i have morphed from nurse to mom. if not, mike it is.....still troubled? hot and heavy sex! :smokin:

0 Votes
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

LOL...usually, I am hanging out here to wind down. However, I'm trying to do other things, such as working out on my treadmill (I'm starting off at about 15 minutes 3 days a week and will increase biweekly to 1/2 hour 5 days a week), showering afterwards, then listening to relaxing metaphysical or R&B music. And, a good book to boot. I know what you mean, though. It's a vicious cycle that does not change...by the time you get tired, there is not enough hours to get good, sound sleep.

0 Votes
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I usually just get on the internet, do my computer stuff, and maybe have a beer or something....

also, i find myself working on chapters in my novel(still wAYYY off from being finished) or working on my performance poetry....writing songs, doing something creative. Helps me feel like I've done something, before going to bed.

If it's been a BADDD shift, I write a letter I have no intention of posting or mailing...and delete it. Helps to get it off my mind...

oh, yeah....and sex is good too......

:yeah::yeah:To sex! My husband created a computer game where I have a picture of the supervisor I hate the most and I use my mouse to shoot holes in it. Wonderful distraction...:devil:

0 Votes
Specializes in Med/Surg.

Sorry, but sex invigorates me:rolleyes:....So I settle for the TV or a good book in the recliner--I usually fall asleep there before I can get to bed!!

0 Votes
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Sorry, but sex invigorates me:rolleyes:....So I settle for the TV or a good book in the recliner--I usually fall asleep there before I can get to bed!!

Which reminds me that I have to start shopping for the best recliner chair for my money to place in the bedroom. I love the ones that are so cozy that you can place blankets and fluff pillows in...

I also tend to put the TV to something that is mindless, like old comedies to induce sleep on occasions and make sure that all the lights are shut off.

0 Votes
Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

At the moment, I am jamming to Kid Rock on my iPod and praying hubby does not decide to have me committed. I guess if I walked in on him dancing in his undies, I'd look at him like he was nutty, too. Lord knows how long he was there before I turned around.

This is a precursor to a hot bath, which the iPod will not be along for. I daresay that broiling myself would not be conducive to relaxation. On the other hand, I have always wanted curly hair.....

A hot bath and a good book do wonders for me. I also cross-stitch, which no one can believe, as hyper as I am.

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment