Relax...what does that mean!

[melme]

So I have been a nurse for a year and a half. I started out working nights at a hospital but after about 6 months, my body couldn't handle night shift anymore. I went to work in a community setting with kids and at first I loved it - especially working 8 hr shifts, no Sundays and no holidays! I felt like it was a dream come true. And it was, at first. After about 9 months I started to get burnt out and I also started to see what a not so great (read: shady) place this was. I was exhausted and going to bed at 730 every single night. On the weekends I would run like crazy, cleaning and running errands, trying to spend time with my family since I was so exhausted during the week. And because I didn't spend time resting on the weekends, I was just as tired come Monday morning. So on that note, I switched to 12 hour shifts. I like the 12's but even on my days off when I'm tired, I can't just seem to relax. I feel guilty for sitting and watching TV or reading. Shouldn't I be going to the gym, giving the dog more attention, hanging out with my friends, cleaning?! Surely, there's something that needs my attention right now - no time for relaxing! You get my point. Anyone else struggle with feeling guilty for just doing nothing?

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

No! That is so me on many of my days off. I just hang around the house, do laundry, clean up, organize, watch stuff online, go on allnurses, pay my bills, paint, write etc. I barely socialize. I am an introvert and work is all the social stimulation I need, thank you very much. It is natural to feel like you need time to just hang around and do "nothing." When I do get out, I have very busy full days running from store to store, appointments etc.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

Taking care of yourself is important. You can't take care of others if you don't first take care of yourself. Taking that time to just relax, read a book, watch some mindless TV, soak in a tub,or whatever you like to do for relaxation is very important for your well being. This is easier said than done for some people I guess, my Mom is also one of those people that has a hard time just relaxing, she always has something she feels she has to accomplish. Hopefully you can find a relaxing pastime that you won't feel guilty enjoying on your time off.

[nurseactivist]

No, don't "should" on yourself.

[nurseactivist]

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[poppycat, ADN, BSN]

I used to feel guilty about just sitting around the house on my days off. I always felt like I should be doing some housework or something. It took developing a chronic health issue that dictates much of my time off work to make me slow down. I was diagnosed with RA 4 years ago & my days of obsessive housecleaning came to an abrupt end. I suddenly had no energy to do anything that wasn't absolutely necessary. Even though my symptoms are under some control now, I have to listen closely to what my body tells me. If I'm doing something & start feeling tired, I stop & rest. I know the consequences will not be good if I don't do what my body wants.

I have an almost 4 year old grandson who we babysit several days a week. He's very active & always wants me to play with him. I've taught him that sometimes grandma doesn't feel well & needs to rest. I take him & his toys to my bedroom & turn on Disney for him. He stays in the bedroom & plays while I rest. He knows after I get a little rest, I'll be able to play with him again.

You have to make time to take care of yourself. If you don't, you'll either burn out very fast or end up with health problems. There's no selfishness in caring for yourself.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Agreed. I'm also an introvert and by the end of the week, I'm exhausted. While I enjoy the social aspect of work, I use my time off to re-charge and do nothing some days. I need that.

It's essential to know yourself and listen to your body.

[CVICU-Nurse1.5]

I feel more bad for doing nothing on days off because I am in nursing school even though I am far ahead of my timeline. However, I am also the type that doesn't want to end up like their family and thus constantly pushes myself to excel in every aspect of my life.