Using Shopping to Cope with Work

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Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.

Anyone else use shopping as a means of coping with anger/frustration due to work?

I have found that leaving the building to go shopping helps me.   I've probably left work in the last week about 5 times to go shopping due to being displeased with what is happening at work.  

Anyone else feel the same way? If not shopping, what do you do when you're frustrated at work? 

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Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.

Another thing I enjoy doing is going on a drive when I get angry.  Just helps me forget about what's going on

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

Your coping mechanisms certainly aren't the worst choices, but shopping could work against you if you get yourself in financial difficulty. But do what makes you happy.

I like taking my dogs for a walk, reading a mindless book, singing to '80s music in the car, talking to my kids, or sitting by the water. 

Hoping that you have some better days ahead soon.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Joseph Campbell encouraged us to find and follow our bliss. That which is always at hand and rejuvenates us.

Treating ourselves to some desired or needed item is good when done prudently in moderation. However, obtaining materialistic items is a short-term fix because the majority of us already possess that which we need and something new can just become another "thing". We all have things we really really really wanted that no longer gives us excitement or pleasure.

Along with others, I have things like found art and exercise the most pleasing. I would carry a pocket journal and a good pen at work to write and/or draw whatever was on my mind. Those so called two-minute vacations could be like a power nap and helped buoy me through difficult and stressful times.

I also would often take my bicycle to work, either the mountain or folding bike. If not, I took power walks on the medical center campus.

Meditation or praying can also be helpful as coping mechanisms. Reading something spiritual, positive, or humorous works too.

And finally, I have found that a friend or acquaintance with good listening and communication skills with a handle on objectivity can rival the services of a therapist.

Good luck and best wishes, SilverBells!

 

 

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SilverBells said:

Another thing I enjoy doing is going on a drive when I get angry.  Just helps me forget about what's going on

Watch  Groundhog Day. Never drive angry,

 

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Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.

Today, I left at noon to go to a yoga class.  I then returned to work for a bit,  and left early to go get a peppermint mocha and read

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
SilverBells said:

Today, I left at noon to go to a yoga class.  I then returned to work for a bit,  and left early to go get a peppermint mocha and read

Yoga is definitely an amazing outlet, I am a big fan. However, just wondering - are you putting your job at risk, even unintentionally, but leaving so much? Is this a passive way of getting fired? I know what you're doing is probably good for your mental health, but you might want to examine your motivations and start putting out feelers for a new job. Best of luck, as always!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

It's really a change from before when you talked about working 16-20 hour shifts to now routinely cutting out of work for shopping and yoga.  I know you  have a management position now, but don't you still have work that needs your attention.  Also as ADON don't you have a DON above you watching and concerned regarding all the times you have stepped out of the office?  Seems very strange to me.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

In my last job, the clinic was across the street from Target. If things were stressful, I'd go over to Target on my lunch break, grab a pre-packaged salad for lunch, and buy a houseplant. This is what my window sill looked like by the time I started looking for other jobs.

Key phrase, though - ON MY LUNCH BREAK. Like, I was never gone for more than 45 minutes, and I always returned to finish my day.

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Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.
brandy1017 said:

It's really a change from before when you talked about working 16-20 hour shifts to now routinely cutting out of work for shopping and yoga.  I know you  have a management position now, but don't you still have work that needs your attention.  Also as ADON don't you have a DON above you watching and concerned regarding all the times you have stepped out of the office?  Seems very strange to me.

Yes, I would agree that it is a change.   Ever since I got very sick with COVID, I've been trying not to overwork.  And at this point, I'm feeling unneeded at work, mostly due to the change in management.  Anytime I offer to do something, I get turned down or they suggest something else for me to do.  They've made changes that I don't care for.  Needless to say, these new people have not been a positive addition to the workplace.  

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Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.
Lunah said:

Yoga is definitely an amazing outlet, I am a big fan. However, just wondering - are you putting your job at risk, even unintentionally, but leaving so much? Is this a passive way of getting fired? I know what you're doing is probably good for your mental health, but you might want to examine your motivations and start putting out feelers for a new job. Best of luck, as always!

I wouldn't say I'm necessarily trying to get fired, but, in some way, I think it's almost a way of protesting/rebelling against the new people and changes at work.   I'm no longer feeling needed at work.  Any time I offer to help with something, I'm turned down, or they suggest something else for me to do.   So, because they don't seem to respect my opinions or what I have to offer, I figure I won't be missed much if I step out for a bit. 

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Silver bell, try to save your money, in order to get a better place to live. I've been reading your posts for awhile now and I feel as though you need a new job and a new start. Your family doesn't seem supportive nor do your co workers. Address your mental health by investing in a trip to your PCP. And I'm saying this with all the love I can say. Mental health is important. I hate how negative stereotypes perpetuate false ideas on how to effectively cope. If your blood pressure was 160/90 you would take lisinopril right ? Invest in your mental health, and remember you don't need anyone's permission to make yourself a priority! How can you take care of others when you're not taking care of you? Impulsivity (including impulsive buying ) is a negative coping mechanism just like gambling or drinking. Please take care, we're rooting for you! 

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