NursingLink

Stressed Out? How Nurses Can Regain Some Calm

Coping with stress

Because stress wreaks so much havoc, you simply can no longer ignore its presence. As a nurse, you need to learn how to handle stress more effectively—and should consider adopting the following strategies:

Acknowledge the pain. Instead of constantly telling yourself that you can handle whatever life throws at you, recognize your limitations. Simply put, raise the white flag and look for some help.

Manage your most precious resource—time. One way to manage your time is to set priorities. Write a to-do list and schedule time to work on top priorities first. This will help you get the most important tasks accomplished, while controlling the stress you feel about them. It is also helpful to delegate or hire someone to complete some of these tasks. A landscaper to cut your lawn or a concierge service to take care of your miscellaneous errands could be well worth the price in terms of time saved—and stress averted.

Work out. Numerous studies show that exercise can reduce stress. Exercise counteracts stress, helping to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other ailments. At the same time, exercise reduces stress by turning your attention away from pressing concerns.

Talk it out. Discussing your difficulties can help to reduce stress. Find and develop a support group—and you can often reduce your stress simply by venting.

Maintain a healthy diet. Stress often prompts people to reach for the chips and candy. However, several studies suggest that a healthy diet—not the junk food—can actually help to reduce stress.

Relax. Adopt some simple stress relief techniques such as muscle relaxation, visualization and controlled breathing exercises. Simply participating in these activities for a few minutes often can help to reduce stress levels—and help you get back on track.

In addition to adopting these stress reduction strategies, it’s also a good idea to work with your employer to reduce stress in the workplace. Encourage your employer to do the following and your job could become a lot less stressful:

• Ensure that the workload is in line with workers’ capabilities and resources
• Design jobs to provide meaning, stimulation, and opportunities for workers to use their skills
• Give workers opportunities to participate in decisions and actions affecting their jobs
• Clearly define workers’ roles and responsibilities
• Establish work schedules that are compatible with demands outside the job
• Provide opportunities for exercise by creating a walking club or sponsoring or subsidizing a workout center or health club memberships
• Provide concierge services that can help employees take care of errands—from housekeepers to handymen, pet sitters to pre- made meals, grocery shopping and even car care — these reduce stress and can give you your life back!

References
1. Jones JW, Barge BN, Steffy BD, Fay LM, Kuntz LK, Wudbker LJ. Stress and medical malpracice: organizational risk assessment and intervention. Journal of Applied Psychology 73(4):727-735.
2. Sauter SL, Murphy LR, Hurrell JJ, Jr. Prevention of work-related psychological disorders. American Psychologist 45(10): 1146-1158

Related Article: How Nurses Are Avoiding Burnout

---