Personal mental health

tining, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2018

I feel your pain. I too am struggling with my low income students and the feeling that the students and parents don't care. Don't care about behavior, grades, attitudes, honesty, health, kindness but are the first to bark when their LD doesn't get his way. Ready for spring break.

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2018

Yall, I'm tired. I have a bad headache.
Living in Ohio in winter is hard, and it drags most of us down.
This combined with some of the various incidents recently (one of my daily med kids got suspended for a fake bomb threat, the week prior to that we were under heightened security for a fake gun threat, a self harm/suicidal ideation crisis, etc etc) has me really blah. I invested a whole evening for self care, got some non-educational reading done and watched a scary movie. Still having trouble falling asleep, getting my mind off the kids.
I do pretty well during the evening, it's when it's actually time for my brain to rest. I don't know what to do.
Any tips?

You are more priceless than rubies, Ohio, but you cannot care more about the kids than their parents do, or the school does. One of the best things about this job is that I'm not constantly worrying as I leave if I forgot to chart something or if something wasn't done.

The mental illness/violence stuff...that's real, though. When yoga and wine didn't help enough I went to a sleep specialist. I got a recommendation for a non-rx med and an Rx med for when my mind won't shut up (which I rarely have to take).

If you can, schedule a visit to make sure all the hormones are OK and see if there isn't a medical reason you are blah. And take care of you. We need you!!!

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Mar 6, 2018

Some days it is so hard to turn it off....I have found (I use my Kindle app on my phone) that turning the brightness way down, or reading a paperback is much better for me. Reading a great series by Marie Force either the Fatal Series which is edgy but I love the characters or the more chill ones The Gansett Island or Butler Vt series. I am a reader and that is fun for me.

OldDude · Mar 6, 2018

All good suggestions...at HS try Ibuprofen PM, it has 72 mg of benadryl instead of the 50 mg of benadryl in acetaminophen PM. Sweet Petunia was watching the almost final episode of the Bachelor (she had it recorded) last night. I drifted off to sleep several times during that...

Farawyn · Mar 6, 2018

All good suggestions...at HS try Ibuprofen PM, it has 72 mg of benadryl instead of the 50 mg of benadryl in acetaminophen PM. Sweet Petunia was watching the almost final episode of the Bachelor (she had it recorded) last night. I drifted off to sleep several times during that...

That may have been the content.

I don't recommend this, as Benedryl gives me a hangover. If you can tolerate it, go for it. I can't.

It is getting a bit nicer. Get out and walk. breathe. Even for 20 minutes.

Yes, get your check up.

Set aside time every day for 1 thing YOU enjoy.

Talk to us. The good thing about this group is we have highs and lows, but at different times.

There is always an outstretched hand.

Amethya · Mar 6, 2018

When I had my stressful semester last semester, I couldn't sleep and my mind was super wired up. I quit drinking soda for that time and just had water. I also started to take melatonin when I couldn't sleep sometimes and what I would do is I would a routine that I still do now. As well I started to crochet, so my hands are busy and it's actually soothing for me. I also read before bed and I take a warm bath before bed as well.

Glitternurse, LVN · Mar 6, 2018

Yall, I'm tired. I have a bad headache.
Living in Ohio in winter is hard, and it drags most of us down.
This combined with some of the various incidents recently (one of my daily med kids got suspended for a fake bomb threat, the week prior to that we were under heightened security for a fake gun threat, a self harm/suicidal ideation crisis, etc etc) has me really blah. I invested a whole evening for self care, got some non-educational reading done and watched a scary movie. Still having trouble falling asleep, getting my mind off the kids.
I do pretty well during the evening, it's when it's actually time for my brain to rest. I don't know what to do.
Any tips?

My brain does not like to turn off. If it's not work, it's my own children or my father in law, who is in very poor health, or what the heck am I going to do for the girl scout meeting tomorrow, etc... I have found that putting on an audio book gives my mind something to focus on because I have to follow the story. I like music too, but if there is too much on my mind it will wander. I hope you are able to relax and get some sleep.

peacockblue · Mar 6, 2018

I find that exercise helps the most. For my old bones it is just a couple miles walking but it does a world of good. And the treadmill doesn't count for me. I need to actually get outside, even with an umbrella. That's where my dogs help. The need a run everyday weather I feel like it or not. Also, when things get bad, I have found some nice meditation apps on my phone. Mostly free. Helps my mind to quit running on the hamster wheel.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Mar 6, 2018

I always used my commute to talk out everything I needed to about work.

The other drivers probably got a laugh out of me talking to myself, yelling, gesturing. But it really truly helped.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2018

I do community theater which can have busy on evenings after work and sometimes that is exactly what I need.

Otherwise, my go to relax is actually to re-watch Friends on Netflix. I've been through the series a few times over but it hasn't failed me yet .

Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2018

When I was going through major stress,I used Hay's evening meditation tapes on my old walkman until I fell asleep.Then used morning tape to begin my day.