Nursing careers can cause stress and anxiety, especially after long or difficult shifts.
DailyNurse.com offers these six strategies for recharging after a stressful day:
1. Debrief with colleagues to review what went well and what didn't. Sharing your struggles can also help you bond with others on the team.
2. Shake up your normal routine. Taking a longer route home can give you time to clear your mind.
3. Play calming music, or eliminate sounds altogether. Patient care can be very noisy, and limiting external stimuli after a tough shift can help calm the mind.
4. Recuperate with a pet. Petting animals has been shown to lower blood pressure and release relaxation hormones. Your focus will shift from yourself to your pet as you walk the dog or spend time with a cat or other animal.
5. Take a nap or read to take your mind off the day.
6. Shower or bathe to freshen up after a shift.