How does everyone wind down after work?

Nurses General Nursing

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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.

TV and the internets ....

I am still a nursing student, just starting my third semester tomorrow. I was, over the summer, and am currently working in a N.I.C.U. as an intern experiencing all of life's parameters every day. The best way to unwind is to talk to another nurse, and listen. When you get ready for bed you should be smiling every evening. Enjoy your dreams!!!

Specializes in Utilization Management.

Sometimes if I have trouble getting to sleep I'll pick up my old Med-Surg book and read it for half an hour.

Works like a charm.:chuckle

Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

When I can't sleep, ( like now, I'm off, my body thinks it's the middle of my shift, darn it) I get the ipod, put on the noise cancelling earbuds, take an Advil PM. I've also found that if I'm a little dehydrated (like after a shift where there was no time to pee, much less have a couple of glasses of water), it seems to make it harder for me to sleep. I drink 3 big glasses of water, and usually I can sleep -- I may get up to pee, but usually I can go back to sleep.

Specializes in Pediatric home care..

I go shooting, nothing like releaving stress with a .223 at 200 yards.:D

Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

I did finally make it to sleep the other night but I didn't wake up until 11am. And now I'm going through the whole thing all over again.

I used to listen to classical music on my ride home. But lately I have had so much going on, as soon as I leave work I have so much else to do/think about that a bad shift just seems like a bad dream since forgotten: you know you had one, but can't seem to recall the details!

Kickboxing and karate are also HUGE stress relievers!!! You've never thrown such a hard punch or nailed a kick so well as one intended (in your mind only!) for someone who ****** you off! ;)

Specializes in Making the Pt laugh..

For me there is nothing like Playstation, it must be a non-thinking, reflex type game shooting or racing games are best. By focusing on reflexes and not thinking I find my brain is wiped of everything and I can sleep well. Just don't play all night or you lack sleep anyway.

Specializes in Geriatrics.

I work 2p-10p usually; it is my absolute favorite shift, but awful to wind down from. I usually blast heavy metal in my car on the way home which is about 12 miles...then a hot-as-I-can-stand-it shower, sometimes a good book, sex, whatever. Oh, I also used to drink Sleepytime herbal decaf. tea. I take Sonata to help me sleep anyway since I'm a very mania-prone bipolar type 1...if all else fails, Seroquel, but if I take that, I'm not much of a nurse, mom, or wife for about 3 days after taking it.

Blessings, Michelle

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