By Susan Wallace

April 14, 2021

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5 Best Ways for Travel Nurses To Relax After Hard Day

Although all jobs can be stressful, nursing creates more critical and sensitive issues. Plenty of research shows that health-care professionals deal with stress on a day-to-day basis. Nursing is one of the most stressful and pressuring medical professions.

Based on a controlled study, 87.4% of nurses reported experiencing occupational stress. Different job situations exposed them to various levels of stress. The question is, how can you relax after work? Coping with the pressure, burnout, fatigue, and workplace stress can seem impossible. But, with the right techniques, you can control these stressors. Want to learn how to unwind after a mentally draining day at work? This comprehensive guide will show you all the tricks and tips you’ve been missing.

Balance Empathy with Objectivity

According to a cross-sectional study, nurses who prefer to take a problem-solving approach instead of emotionally-driven coping strategies can better relax after work. Becoming too emotionally involved will interfere with your well-being, especially when you are forced to make a difficult decision.

Although nurses rely on their clinical experience and expertise in different situations, those who have problem-solving skills can better serve the patients and cope with the stress at work. With problem-solving skills, you will see the issues at work as opportunities, not obstacles. Experts believe this can have a better impact on your mental health.

Let Off Some Steam

Every nurse has their way of unwinding. Some like to go for a jog, do yoga, cook, take warm bubble baths or read a book. But, to find out how to relax after work, you need to do something that’s tailored to your needs. For example, some people want to try their luck at the lucky nugget mobile casino. Playing engaging casino games can be quite exciting, especially if you are in the mood for some reel spinning or old slot games.

But, it’s not uncommon for nurses to switch to the least stressful nursing jobs just to let off some steam for a little while. Options like a school nurse, public health nurse, and nurse educator can prove useful. There is also an increased demand for telehealth nurses due to the pandemic, which could make for a solid pick.

Do Some Meditating

Regular meditation creates a deep state of tranquility and relaxation. When a person meditates, they tend to focus their attention on eliminating the jumbled thoughts and negative emotions. These emotions are what’s clouding their judgment and causing stress.

For many experts, meditation is the most practical way to relax after work. Those who’ve tried it reported experiencing enhanced emotional and physical well-being. Therefore, it is definitely worth the effort.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is known for its potent healing properties. It is a fairly affordable approach and highly accessible. Now, this kind of therapy has many forms, such as bath salts, scented candles, oils, etc. Options such as these can be a great way to de-stress.

All you have to do is dedicate just a little bit of time to yourself so that you’ll reap the benefits. If you want to know how to relax after work, use aromatherapy to its full potential.

Talk to a Therapist

There is a limit to what you can achieve on your own. Sometimes, nursing can have a long-term impact on your energy, mood, and emotions. That’s why it’s crucial to consult with an expert whenever you feel that burnout and stress are affecting your daily life.

Besides, there is no need to wait too long to ask for expert help. In many cases, even the simplest of problems can be solved with the help of an outside perspective. So, put some effort into your mental health and do what’s best for your health and body. Your efforts will pay off in the long run.

Conclusion

Even if you can’t deal with the stress overnight, there are practical strategies you can use that will set your mental health on the right path. All the tactics listed here can be worth it, particularly for those who are struggling with existential, emotional, and physical crises. What you need is a push in the right direction.

With a proper coping mechanism, you can achieve that and more. These ways can help you build that coping strategy and overcome difficult problems at work. Just remember not to ignore your mental unrest for the sake of others. Your health is equally important.

By Geraldine Mills

April 2, 2021

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Stress Relief: 5 Activities That Can Help Travel Nurses Relax

Stress is inherent in any work, and travel nurses are not exempted from it. As a nurse, you are exposed to physical exhaustion, endless documentation, and more. Add to that the fact that you are miles away from your family and friends. Working as a nurse is inherently stressful. And working abroad is like a double whammy. But being in a different place also provides you a unique opportunity to manage and relieve stress. That said, we have listed down five actionable tips travel nurses can do to combat stress:

Get as Much Sleep as Possible

It goes without saying that sleep allows you to refresh your mind and body. It helps rejuvenate our immune and cardiovascular systems. Sleep also improves our cognitive and mental faculties. This explains why sleep deprivation leads to a lack of focus, attention, and vigilance ‒ vital when you are working as a nurse. Hence, you must get the recommended 7 – 9 hours of sleep. However, travel nurses are prone to sleep deprivation. That’s because most travel nurses work in institutions where there is a lack of healthcare providers. This means long and excruciating work shifts. That said, we suggest getting as sleep as you can. Catch up on sleep during your off days and take a quick nap during your break time if possible.

Practice Mindfulness

Aside from long work hours, your job can also be hectic. Thus, it is best to practice mindfulness in times like these. Doing so can be as simple as knowing when to stop and take deep breaths. This only takes a few minutes and prevents you from being overwhelmed. Another practice you would want to incorporate is meditation. Once you are off your shift and ready for bed, you can listen to this guided sleep meditation from Mindful.org. This sleep meditation allows you to ease yourself to sleep by helping you settle your mind. You can also do a warm shower, as it can help your body muscles relax. As a result, it relieves your body’s tension, allowing you to have better sleep quality.

Get Your Body Moving

If you are the active kind, we encourage you to carve a time in your day to exercise. This could in many forms like calisthenics, yoga, or dancing. It is also a great time to unplug. Instead of scrolling your Facebook feed endlessly or reclining on your couch, you might as well go out and exercise. No gym near where you are residing? No problem! Exercising does not have to be constrained within the four walls of the gym. You can work out in your home, ride a bike, or take a hike if your location permits it. What’s important is that you do the things that can get your body moving.

Take Time Off Between Assignments

Depending on your recruiter, your assignment can range from a month to a year. After every deployment, you can go home and spend time with your family for a week or two. We suggest that you take advantage of these breaks before moving on to your next assignment. Doing so not only allows you to relax and be with your loved ones. It also gives you a sense of familiarity that signals safety. This explains why it feels good to sleep in your bed after a vacation.

Have a Support System

Having a support system to help you manage stress is often overlooked. After all, working as a travel nurse can expose you to new and unfamiliar territory. As such, it is best to surround yourself with people who can be your excellent sounding board. These can be your fellow travel nurses, your employer and recruiter, and your family and friends. That said, you should also take the time to reach out and spend time with people you trust. That way, you have someone to vent to or help you ease your mind off of work.

Conclusion

It is best to know that there is no stress-free work. Hence, it is something that you should anticipate should you decide to work as a travel nurse. That said, it can help that you know what you can do and who you can reach out to when you are stressed. Doing so allows you to manage stress and ensures that you are in peak condition whenever you tend your patients.

We hope you found these tips to help travel nurses relax helpful. Have you found ways to help you relax while you are on assignment? Comment them below.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)