Stress Relief

[SteffersRN87, BSN, RN]

I see over and over many new grads are stressed out over their new jobs. So, I though it would be helpful to share some stress relief tips that would help them out!

-if I have a stressful day, I unwind by going for a brisk walk then come home and kick back with a glass of wine to relax

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

Depending on the day, I blast the radio during my half hour drive with rock and roll (if I've had a good day), classical if I need to chill.

Sometimes I will just sit in the lounge and chill out 15 mins before I leave.

When I leave, I leave. Everything that happens at the hospital, stays at the hospital.

My family needs a normal me and I've learned to separate the aggravations for the day from my home life.

On my days off, I walk/run and am very busy with non-nursing things.

What's strange? I AVOID people outside of my fam/close friends at all costs. A smile here and there, but nothing that requires more than a nod/hello/goodbye.

[jschut, BSN, RN]

I'm stressing over not being able to FIND a new job! LOL!

But I have always heard that some sort of exercise helps to calm the nerves after a rough day. Good physically and mentally....

[JB2007, ASN, RN]

1. A hot bath and a glass of wine helps most any problem melt away. If one glass of wine does not do the trick the second one will make me forget what I was stressing about to begin with.

2. Leave work at work. Making use of the caller ID. I will not pick up the phone on my day off if it is work. I do not want to hear about it on my day off. I am not in management and I am not on call so nothing is so important that it can not wait until my next day to work.

3. Everyone makes mistakes and I am not the exception to that rule. Therefore nobody expects me to be perfect. If they do expect perfection they are in for a rude awakening and that is their problem.

[StNeotser, ASN, RN]

I like cycling or doing cartwheels. I used to be very good at gymnastics when I was younger, but now all I can do is the cartwheels, or handstands but I have to be near a wall as my balance seems to have gone.

Unfortunately last week the temps were sub zero for most of the week and I had to rely on the gymnastics (which I'm none too good at anymore)

Oh, and telling the kitty cats all about what went on at work while they're curling up in my lap (works with dogs too)

[MedSurgeMess]

taking the 2 100 lb babies (mutts, the cutest in town!) for a 2-3 mile walk. I do it everyday the weather permits. It's great for me and them and the hubby!

[ImjustaNovice]

i may be young but..

1. Ice cold beer

2. Good music

3. laughter.. about anything, its amazing what it can do

4. if the 2 aforementioned aren't working too well, more ice cold beer.

5. something inane yet entertaining.... TV (blergh), a book, art, guitar

and like everyone else has said.... leave work at work. unless you really need to tell someone that hilarious poo story

[CBsMommy]

Sex...a lot of sex!

[Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN]

I used to do the glass of wine stuff until I had to start going to AA meetings. So after that it was going to morning AA meetings after work. I know that may not work for every one so the otherr method I used was watching cartoons for around an hour worked like a charm. And I really am serious.

[RN1982]

I work out. I've been training in Krav Maga twice a week and that helps me get out any pent up aggression I have.

[SaraO'Hara]

A cocktail, a warm snuggly husband, and frivolous television (eg Mythbusters).

[Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN]

Lifting a barbell 3 times a week and listening to some good music on the ol' ipod will do the trick. Full squats with a progressively heavier barbell are magical.