How do you relax after a hectic shift?

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I like my hot showers and a half glass of wine, but seem to be having wine every night just a bout! I'm looking for new ways to help deal with stress and relax. What is your passion for relaxing after dealing with the politics and tiredness associated with nursing?

Specializes in Critical Care, Operating Room.

I come home and either walk on the treadmill or if I'm just too tired then I hang out with my kitties and watch tv... my favorite show is True Blood... sounds nuts but watching vampires, werewolves, shape shifters, and humans creating chaos, madness, and blood everywhere is totally relaxing to me. LOL

when it's been a REALLY rough day/week I spend time meditating... get to the beach or mountains if I can... I hang out with friends alot too, we tend to laugh til we cry everytime we get together and I've found laughter to be truly healing! (especially after a day filled with code blues and palliative weans)

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I watch MediaO.:clown: kiddin:lol2:g! :yeah:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

Wowee!

Some great ideas here. And that odd glass of wine/drink seems to be amust. Honestly some people have also told me that exercise after a hard shift - the ones where you have been running all day - helps them, maybe I should try that. Problem is I do afternoon shift and it is too cold at the mo to go walking outside etc. I will just have to do more yoga & pilates. Wish there was a beach or mountains near me, but no such luck, though swimming sounds like a good idea too.

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
Several glasses of wine. And my husband performing lewd sexual acts on me.

Weird. That's exactly how I unwind after a long shift - several glasses of wine and Klone's husband performing lewd sexual acts on me!

Kidding. :)

I actually go to bed with a different man, one I've never met - Dave Barry! He is hysterical and his books have helped get me through some trying times, let me tell you!

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
QUOTE=CamaroNurse;4455582]Weird. That's exactly how I unwind after a long shift - several glasses of wine and Klone's husband performing lewd sexual acts on me!

Kidding. :)

:rotfl:

I actually go to bed with a different man, one I've never met - Dave Barry! He is hysterical and his books have helped get me through some trying times, let me tell you!

His books on parenting and home-buying have literally prevented me from doing bodily harm to some people, what with all that laughter increasing endorphins thing. :up:

To the question. I read allnurses. Should I seek help? ;)

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I go home and listen to my husband yell at our kids, slam pots and pans around and try to take over parenting until bedtime. Not the greatest thing to come home to but eh... speaking of which there he goes again. sigh

I always blare music otw home, type depending on how bad my day was, but its only 10 min to my house. When I have my way (which isnt often) I dive into a book totally unrelated to reality (vampires, kingdoms full of princesses and wizards, historical romance, pretty much anything not related to anything remotely this century or technological) Or I watch a movie.

When I'm having a really bad WEEK, or am forgetting how good the world is, I generally watch Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (first one), Neverending Story, and/or Clash of the Titans. :) They remind me of what I was like as a kid, and all the optimistic ideals that led me into the life I've chosen. Sometimes I need that reminder. Because there are days where I think "*** was I thinking" lol

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I've had a few in the last few weeks. I'll drive home, listening to newsradio(really, relaxes me to find out what I missed overnight, if anything), or a radio morning show I really like, or some CDs that I know all the songs on.

When I get home, I like to make a light snack, watch sportscenter, visit 3-4 websites, and if I'm still up, fire up the PS3 and play some multiplayer online shooter, or a goal of a story game I'm currently playing. I may have a beer while playing if it is a really bad shift and I'm not going back to work that night.

When I get to bed, if my fiance is awake enough I'll talk to her about the night. If not, then I'll fall asleep eventually.

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Either a great album, on the couch with my dog and cats with a cup of tea, or a fluffy/stupid tv show or movie of some sort.

If I can muster the energy, I might do a bit of light yoga to relax my muscles. The tension melts away.

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I come home and play with my pets.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Surgical ICU.

I listen to great music on the drive home, take a hot bath or shower depending on my mood and then if I'm off that next day go buy myself something nice. Doesnt have to be expensive, but just something to make me smile.

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Specializes in Psych, EMS.

Get into my pajamas, smoke on my balcony with my feet up, and call up a night-owl friend or two (I work 3-11)

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Transplant.

I find that in order to relax after my 12s-especially if I'm trying to sleep between them, I really have to make an effort to progressively slow down before bed. I usually take a leisurely shower when I get home (even if I'm starving it feels so much better to eat dinner knowing that I've gotten rid of the hospital germs), have something healthy but quick for dinner (followed by a little chocolate), and then read for a while before bed. Sometimes I watch TV but have realized that sometimes that noise of it is just not what I want after a long shift :-)

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