What do you do to calm yourself at work?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Photolab technician.

I'll be starting my clinicals this semester and I'm a little bit nervous, which isn't a bad thing necessarily. I am hardly full of myself and I know I'll be learning a great deal fairly quickly. My one fear is being such a wreck that I begin to hinder my work performance.

Clinicals are probably nothing compared to what some of you folks do in and out every single day. I'm still in the opening stages. What do you do at work to relax yourself? The deep breath/count to 10 thing can only work so many times before it's a futile effort! Let's hear what works for you.

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I usually just take a break for 15. I work in a fast paced multitasking position so most of the time I don't calm down. I am usually reserved on the outside though. Self control is a big thing for me.

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Nothing beats a ciggy break once things are running smoothly again!

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Specializes in Emergency.

I just think to myself, that this is the career I chose, this is what I have to do. Then I think of my son at the babysitter's house, probably missing me right now. Then I think of all of my bills that need to be paid. Then I think of something completely humorous about my current state of anxiety and then find myself working fine again. I work in the ER, so there is always anxiety, and always humor. It balances quite nicely actually.

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Specializes in Photolab technician.
Nothing beats a ciggy break once things are running smoothly again!

I knew I should have said "besides smoking." :chuckle

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

I hum.

I don't mean belting out a beat, but very low and very quiet. Just a few notes which helps me clear my head to think and refocus.

I can't do the ciggy thing anymore - quit July 1 and can't go back......

:innerconf

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Before I go on a break, I make sure that I have assessed all of my patients. If they are all okay, and obviously not life threatened, I can relax on my break, knowing they will all be there when I return.

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Specializes in LDRP.

We are on a high up floor, and our waiting room has huge windows overlooking the city, and i will go out and sit and look out the window. just looking, no talking. sometimes, just quiet helps. its so loud and noisy around work, that sometimes just some simple quietness helps to clear the mind.

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Everyday, pack a little treat for lunch, a soda, a banana w/ peanut butter, whatever you like. And then, always take your lunch break. Very relaxing for me.

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

If i can, I go to the bathroom, just sit. I reflect that I have a great job, I worked hard for my title, and it is a priveledge to take care of people like we do, no matter how much of a pain in the butt it can be. I think about the other people around me, and think, "hey, if they can do this, so can I" then I think of my kids also, and the bills I have. By then I am ready to get up and go back!!!!

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Specializes in Urgent Care.

I learned this from my dad...Take a walk, even if it is only 5 or 15 minutes.

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I just remind myself that I can to it, I am trained to do this job and I know how to do it even if I feel like I don't sometimes.

I also get a HUGE sense of security if I have blocked out my time and tasks on my assignment sheet. It makes me feel a little more in control and it is a physical proof that if something does happen that I am not expecting, I have plenty of time to deal with it. Plus I worry much less about forgetting to do something since its all right there in front of me. And it makes me feel like I've accomplished something every time I cross something off.

I also find that if I am getting really anxious, I need to slow down. It helps calm the mind and focus the thinking a bit.

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