venting

squeakykitty · Feb 25, 2008

This website is a good place to vent and get support.

hellerd2003, RN · Feb 25, 2008

When I'm leaving work, I play music that best meets my needs. If I'm angry, I play loud stuff to let out the anger. If I am sad, I'll play slow stuff. That said, every day has a different effect on me, and my husband's perception of me!

When I worked in psych, I would drive for an hour before heading home. I just couldn't "TALK" any more! I was engaged at that time, so I could drive for hours and not really account for it. LOL.

Now that I work in ICU, my husband understands that my job is high stress. Two weeks ago, after a REALLY bad code, I came home, walked through the door, told him as he came to greet me (and, to be honest, as he tried to hug me I pushed him away) that I loved him and just needed to vent, requested that he not talk . . . and proceeded to scream at him/ sobbed for 45 minutes about what happened. After, he hugged me, kissed me, and tucked me into bed. :-) I'm very lucky to have a guy who understands.

Most times, what works for US is that I call my husband on the way home. I tell him if the day was "good", "OK", or "bad". I also tell him if I need space when I walk in the door. I only live 15 minutes away from work, so that's not a lot of time to leave stuff behind! When I need space, I go to the bedroom, take a shower or bath, and come out refreshed. Then we can have "us" time.

Good luck to you in finding that balance.

mianders, RN · Feb 25, 2008

Sometimes it is not easy to leave it at work. The best thing I have found is talking with people who understand what I'm going through such as co-workers and of course this site. The people here do understand and will be more than happy to help you through whatever is bothering you, so vent away.:icon_hug:

Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN · Feb 26, 2008

one thing I can tell you not to do is unwind with alchohol. Did that for yrs and now I go regularly to 12 steps meetings to unwind! :D:D

AprilRNhere · Feb 26, 2008

I don't have any advice...but to say come here.

For me...I live an hour from work. At first I was adamant about moving closer. After a few months I've found it works wonders for me. I leave home stress at home...and *most* days leave work stress at home. When I need to vent...I'm usually at least calm by the time I walk in the door.

I don't vent on here much...or maybe never? But find it helps me hearing about others bad/good/ or funny days.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2008

I vent by going to my local health club to exercise after work. I've noticed that the angrier I am, the harder I work out. Also, exercise has kept me from freaking out at work on most days.

Prior to re-adopting exercise into my life, I would end a stressful day with fattening comfort foods. Don't do this, unless you want a rear end that resembles a 50 pound drum.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Feb 27, 2008

long walks -- if i've had a really bad day i can go five miles -- but then i have to turn around and walk the five miles back home! lol!

when we lived on the west coast, it was 11 miles through a mostly nice residential area to get from the hospital to home. dh and i worked together, and he is a chatter: he'd spend his whole day chatting, and start his charting after he gave report. so i'd start walking toward home and would get anywhere from 3-5 miles up the road before he'd come driving up the road and pick me up. i got my exercise and a chance to decompress plus i wasn't sitting around waiting for him to finish his charting! once i got most of the way home before he picked me up, though, and i'd gone beyond decompression all the way to enraged at his lack of consideration! 2.5 hours of walking after a 12 hour shift is a bit much!

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2008

I bicycle commute. On my way home, I pick a landmark and tell myself that I will not think about work anymore after I pass it.