Stress Relief after a BAD shift?

Nurses Stress 101

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Hello my fellow nurses!

Like all of us nurses, I know we all have our BAD shifts where everything under the sun can go wrong...so I was just curious, what do you guys do to relieve that stress after the shift is over?

I was thinking about joining a gun club so I could shoot off a couple rounds after a shift since I am not a drinker, smoker, or exerciser...haha! Then, I was wondering if that makes me psychotic because you know I'd imagine certain people's faces :D

Please share!

Specializes in critical care nursing, ED, education.

Music! I have two huge sub-woofers in a box in the back of my van. I crank up some loud music and jam all the way home. I have a 45 minute commute. It usually does the trick. It started as a joke, as my husband had picked them up for himself. He left them in the van for a while and I told him he had to hook them up or get them out. He hooked them up thinking I would still make him take them out, but It has turned into a guilty pleasure of mine.

I tried to convince My hubby I wanted to take up shooting, but I think it made him nervous. ;-) We live in a rural area so there are no public places to shoot.

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When I've had a bad day at the office I drive right to the Chic-Filet drive through and order chicken nuggets with buffalo sauce and ranch and a small chocolate shake hold the cherry. Works every time!;)

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Specializes in Telemetry.

For me, stress is immediately relieved once i have given report and even more after i've clocked out.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

walk the dog, hot shower, mindless surfing or reading.

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I used to go to my car, roll down the windows & chill a few minutes before going home, untill one night I fell asleep untill our town's severe weather alert horn blew and scare the bejeebees out of me.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
I used to go to my car, roll down the windows & chill a few minutes before going home, untill one night I fell asleep untill our town's severe weather alert horn blew and scare the bejeebees out of me.

lol. that was toooooo funny!!!!!

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Specializes in LTC, office.

I have a coworker who can go home and completely leave work at work. I am so jealous. That is my idea of stress relief.

For myself yoga has been a great stress reliever. I have nothing again a beer or a glass of wine either.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I play with play-doh. When angry I sqeeze and squish it, roll it into logs, fold it onto itself and punch it down like, well, dough. After that calms me down I make creatures and shapes and just have fun with it. Childish, yes....fun, you bet :D

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Specializes in oncology/BMT, general medicine.

I pass a few of my favorite restaurants on the way home (all with amazing desserts), so I will treat myself to a little food therapy! I find that fried food and chocolate do the trick.

I also love a little retail therapy... and I have bought most of my Vera Bradley bags after awful days at work!

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smoke.:smokin:

leslie

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Red wine, a good cry, and a hot bath.

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Hello all, (New poster, reader for years).

After a bad shift: long shower( after every shift!), a hot cup of tea, tv, more tv, retail therapy, exercise, go online (allnurses.com!) or serach for other types of jobs..........................

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