Toughen up: Six (6) Emotional Health Strategies for Nurses

Toughen up: Six (6) Emotional Health Strategies for Nurses

Admit it, nursing is one tough job. Each nurse has had a moment when they’d just sit down and cry after a long day’s shift. It has been said a couple of times already, but there is a need to emphasize that the nursing profession isn’t for the weak. Nursing is one big roller-coaster ride. Not only can it be physically stressful, but it can also drain you emotionally.

In an environment mostly surrounded by stress, how can you survive? How can you stay in a profession you’ve worked hard for in so long.

Have a sturdy and reliable support system

It’s always nice to know you have people who got your back at all times. Just because you’re always busy doesn’t mean you can’t have meaningful relationships. Create a networking base. Build and maintain one with your colleagues, your family and your friends. Also, it should be known that intimate relationships help meet one’s emotional needs

Work-play balance

Though working hard would result to lots of benefits, it is important that you do not “overwork” yourself. Make time for your personal whereabouts. Spend time with your loved ones. Make time for things that make you feel alive. That way, you can re-energize and come back refreshed and more motivated.

Learn to adapt to changes

Be flexible. Instead of just sticking to what you already know, be open to changes. Change, as they say is the constant thing in the world, and the nursing profession is not an exception. Everyday changes are made and innovations are incorporated to the profession so as to cope with growing demands and needs. It is important that you know how to accept these changes and are open to learn new things instead of going against the current and stressing yourself.

Surround yourself with positive people

Your environment plays a big role in how you handle stress. It is always nice to be surrounded by optimistic people rather than those who constantly whine and see the negative part in almost everything. By being surrounded by positive people, you too, begin to look at the brighter side of things. A good and healthy environment inspires one to take things lightly and increases the ability to experience happiness in a nurse’s day-to-day life while helping him/her cope more effectively with stress.

Exercise regularly

Despite your busy schedule, do make time to work out and exercise. Exercising releases serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which may help buffer some of the effects of stress and also relieve some symptoms of depression.

Self Acceptance

There will always be times when we get criticized at work whether intentionally or not. Either way, it still stings, and may even result to you criticizing yourself. Self-effacing remarks and thoughts will cover your mind with negativity and foster increased levels of stress. When this time comes, seek out the positive traits that you have instead of measuring your own worth by comparing yourself to those around you.

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