NEW to PICU

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Aug 8, 2007

:welcome:

JerZee, there are several threads here all dealing with the same question. A lot of great advice and some terrific tips are there for your browsing pleasure. I think we're a pretty helpful bunch on the PICU forum, so if you're still looking for more after you've checked out what's already here, come on back!

Stress relief is a personal thing; so much of how one deals with it depends on how one perceives it. Things that stress me out might not faze you, and vice versa. My method is to vent it all out to a safe person (usually a coworker who is also a trusted friend who "gets" it) then let it go. Sometimes it takes a while, but I can usually let it go. When you're at work and things are going to He!! in a handcart, all you can do is focus on what needs to be done, get through it and bring the patient with you. Afterwards you can reflect, rave and rant or implode... but only after. Having an outlet for your frustrations can be valuable too. Exercise, hobbies, spending time with family or friends, anything healthy will help. I have season's tickets to a local dinner theater that I attend five times a year with five friends from work. We look forward to it for the distraction, but also for the chance to share our feelings about our job, the big events in our families and anything else that comes up. We also get together for dinner and a movie every so often when our schedules all align. Things like that are good for the soul and the psyche. Look for opportunities to create outlets like that and you'll be okay.