Nursing can be a rewarding career, but it comes with plenty of stress. Fast-paced work and long shifts are a regular part of RN jobs and can take their toll, creating a great deal of stress. The COVID-19 pandemic put the stress that nurses are under into sharp focus, so there is now greater awareness about this issue than ever. If you are a nurse and find yourself experiencing stress often, keep reading; we have some tips for managing nurse stress in your day-to-day life!
Get Plenty of Sleep
This may seem like an obvious place to start, but high quality sleep can have a huge impact on all aspects of your health. While there is a natural amount of normal stress that people experience, RN jobs can bring your stress levels to unhealthy amounts. Research has shown that quality sleep can reduce the amount of cortisol, a stress hormone responsible for your “fight or flight” reaction to danger. This means more good sleep can be an effective method for stress in RN jobs!
Manage Your Diet
When your life feels out of control, what you eat and drink is something you can always be in charge of. But did you know your diet can affect your stress levels? We all know stress can affect your health, but eating junk food can add to it. Population-based studies have shown that diets that emphasize whole foods were associated with lower depression, anxiety, and stress. This means that eating less processed food could help bring down your stress levels! RN jobs can demand a lot of your time, so meal prep helps with controlling your diet and save valuable time.
Pursue Hobbies
What do you like to do for fun? It turns out hobbies can lower stress! One study found that those who engage in physical leisure activities (i.e. hobbies) for at least 20 minutes once a week are less susceptible to fatigue, one of the worst symptoms of stress. Another study showed that performing enjoyable activities during leisure time (i.e. hobbies) was associated with lower blood pressure, total cortisol (remember that?), and other such indicators of better physical function. If you’re looking for a fun way of managing nurse stress, try picking up an instrument, some crocheting hooks, or a big puzzle!
Ask For Help When You Need It
Our final tip for you is to ask for help when you need it. Suffering alone only makes the suffering worse, so talk to your friends, family, and peers about what you’re feeling as long as you don’t think it will put too much of an emotional burden on them. One of the best parts about RN jobs is that your fellow nurses are always there to talk to. They know what you’re going through more than anybody, so talking to them could help you feel much less alone in your feelings of stress.
If you’re looking for an employer that cares about you and your wellbeing, look no further than Trident Health in Charleston, SC! Trident has tons of available RN jobs with amazing benefits and perks , including healthcare plans that cover many common services at no cost. Don’t stress, submit your info today!
