how do you relax outside work

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Specializes in aged, palliative care, cardiac, agency,.

I feel as if I am going through a stage in my life where nursing seems to occupy too much of my time. My stress levels are rising and it's time to learn to relax.icon9.gif I have rearranged my schedule so I have more time off - but my dilemma?? What to do with my days off (apart from bill paying, housework). I am keen to expand my interests outside nursing and am interested to hear what others do that is fun and relaxing, the sort of things which give something back, which help refill the cup that we constantly give from at work.icon11.gif

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I admit that I am still having a hard time with that because I also work on part of the weekends as a nurse in addition to my regular clinic job. Also, I hang out here all the time. But, I picked up on my previous hobbies. Once I visited my podiatrist and got orthotics, I started walking again, am an avid reader of novels, working on astrology charts and doing spiritual exercises such as meditation, positive thinking/affirmations and I keep in contact with my friends. I enjoy watching documentaries, also. Only issue is that most of my friends are nurses, and we have to speak to unwind about the craziness, so, I need to work more on some 'me' time.

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maybe try art classes - painting, drawing, pottery, sculpture, printmaking

maybe plan some travelling

do you like cooking classes?

language classes?

a long list could follow - yoga, swimming, tennis - etc

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Since entering the realm of nursing, I have started several habits, some good, some bad:

-going to "church" after work and having a breakfast of vanilla absolut + cranberry juice while talking with other co-workers about things OTHER than work...

-crocheting (and actually taught myself with one little 10-page book while on a travel assignment in California, now I make afghans!!)

-reading (ok, I did that prior to nursing -- if I really want to relax and not have to exercise my brain I check out "chick lit" from the library -- kind of like a series of sex and the city in the form of a book... mindless pleasure)

-hot baths + books or magazines

-gardening (so far my thumb is pretty brown, but has shades of green... wish I could get things to grow just by looking at them like my mom seems to do)

-smoking (eek, bad habit but it does relax me so I'm including it in my list of "relaxing" activities)

-Texas Hold'em poker tournaments (fun, social, definitely gets your mind off work)

-wine tasting (I live in central IL, my DH's parents live in St Joseph, MI -- I never knew how many vineyards they had just in that small stretch of highway in Michigan)

-nightcap of white zinfandel

-Law & Order (can watch that for hours... often while crocheting... LOL!)

-movies (we go on tuesday nights when you can bring your own bowl, any size, and get it filled with buttery goodness for $0.25)

-education (I am interested in alternative medicine -- have taken a couple reiki classes, went to a couple energy healing seminars, etc -- definitely relaxing)

-cards -- we play at home when we aren't out playing in a bar or at Vegas

-vacation -- I have learned that I am happier when I actually USE that stuff called "vacation time" and go somewhere, whether just up about an hour and a half to stay the weekend in Chicago and go to "The Taste" or actually fly and stay somewhere... either way, getting away is always relaxing

-cooking -- I love to cook, especially when it's not "hustle and put something together for dinner" type cooking! along with this, I watch FoodTV and that, to me, is relaxing... watching people cook, make everything difficult look SO easy.

What else? We go on dates, go shopping, get together with family... I go to the library, and I am teaching myself Haitian Creole with the goal of going on some medical mission trips to Haiti.

Your best bet is finding something you're interested in and diving in head first. I have always been into art and crafty stuff, but don't have the patience for sewing (quilts are so beautiful but such a PITA), which lead me to crocheting (I like to see results fairly quickly, and have an actual end-product that I can USE (or give away as a gift). I went on mission trips when I was younger, always wanted to return and donate my time as a nurse. I like white zin, although I don't drink very often, and when I do, not a whole lot. I love hot baths (I'm talking, run a bath half-way, then turn the water to scalding hot and let it run -- which I am positive is not very good for you), and I either read women's magazines, health magazines, gardening magazines, or fiction books while soaking the stress away.

Hope that helps! Those are my relaxation practices. :D Good luck getting some R&R!!

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

I enjoy video games on PlayStation and Wii.....yeah I know I'm a little too old for that, but it relaxes me.

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

I love to cook, gourmet cooking, healthy stuff, many regions, trying new combinations. Sometimes I will share a new found awesome recipe with staff...I just bring some in to share.

I also like to paint, oil is my passion but I am trying water color since I am traveling and don't have the 6 to 9 months to complete and dry a work.

Bicycling and walking are fun and during the walking and cycling I explore the town I am in at the time.

Reading, some current popular books each few months is relaxing, it is a friend to return to at a home away from home.

My computer at home for e-mail from home and to explore new interests.

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I read a lot, and crochet afghans. I also cross stitch, but I haven't done that since Moocher was born 4 years ago. Too afraid she'll step on the needle or something. I love to cook.....no gourmet stuff here, just stick-to-your-ribs home cookin'. Love to bake. I watch tv when I win the fight......two tvs and four bodies, so the first two to win the race get the machines. And, of course, I come here!

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Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..

Have moved to stress management for more input.

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Specializes in ER/Observation,med-surg,geriatrics,.

:nurse:Hello All, I treasure my time off [i work med-surg floor with some nurses who tend to 'eat their young" so to speak.7:1 pt ratio]

So when I am off, I am always doing housework, getting the kids situated with homework etc. I love to cook, so while they are studying I am browsing all types of magazines looking for new recipes,decorating ideas or trolling EBAY for some great finds. I relax with homemade Sangria and friends on my patio and CANDLES , everywhere , all the time!!!

Right now I am :madface:- my new manager stated I had "OCD" when she saw my to-do list for my 12hr shift-- myHusband is po'ed too , he said she a psychiatrist??? Nooooooooooo, just has her masters degree and her mouth is constantly spewing what we like to call a "code brown"...lol!

Other than all that I love to speedwalk and ride bikes w/ the kids, cuddle my dog and pray that I will find a way to pay for any RN school I want -right now I am looking into Excselsior and Keiser... Any thoughts would be appreciated... and Thankyou for letting me vent~!! Have a Great W/E! :urck:

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Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.

Over the years I have taught myself once I leave work I LEAVE WORK.

When the weather is lovely I am outside in my garden enjoying pottering around.

I also love to read, write letters, clean my house LOL and spend time with my hubster.

I bird watch for a hobby, cross stitch although I have not picked that up in a while.

We love to bike ride and hike which are great stress relievers.

I also exercise and teach exercise classes.

Oh yeah and I love to sleep too LOL :lol2:

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Specializes in ER/Observation,med-surg,geriatrics,.

I always try to remember "Never let them rent space in your head" and I also try to think of why I am there... my kids my kids my kids..Not there for the other staff who are unbearable at times-Just there because my kids need me to work.

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Specializes in Geriatric/Psych.

I read in the winter and garden in the spring/summer/fall. I relaxes me to get out in the garden and nurture those plants.

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