The life of a nurse can be difficult. They work long hours, experience the emotional drain of caring for sick or dying patients and risk contracting contagious illnesses regularly. As a result, many nurses suffer from chronic stress, the results of which can have serious consequences for individuals, co-workers, as well as patients.

But what exactly are the dangers of stress and how can nurses manage them?

The Effects of Stress

Chronic stress can place a significant amount of strain on the mind in the form of anxiety and depression. As a result, an affected individual can often become withdrawn from their co-workers. This can be detrimental in nursing, where working in coordination with other members of your medical team is crucial to daily operations. Stress can also make it difficult to sleep, which in turn affects one's ability to concentrate. Again, this is especially harmful for nurses, as they must be able to focus on their work to avoid costly and life-threatening mistakes.

In addition to mental effects, chronic stress can have negative implications for the body. Over time, stress hormones weaken the immune system, making a person more susceptible to infections. This can be very dangerous for nurses, who are exposed to sicknesses daily. Luckily, there are ways in which nurses can mitigate the stress of work and the resulting negative effects, both whilst on the job and in their free time.

Dealing with Stress

Get Outside

Step outside of the hospital whenever you get the chance. Studies show that feeling connected with nature can diminish stress and facilitate a positive mindset. As a bonus, outdoor activities often involve some level of physical activity, which can help us cope with stress (see below).

Exercise

As a nurse, being on your feet all day can make it difficult to work up the motivation to exercise on your own time. However, putting in that little extra effort can be beneficial. Studies show that exercise can alleviate stress and help with some of the mental and emotional side-effects, such as depression. Whether you go on a short walk during your break or head to the gym before or after your shift, getting in a sweat is certain to help manage your stress levels.

Breathe

Channel your inner nurse Zen. Paying attention to your breathing can help turn off the fight-or-flight response that is triggered during stressful situations. Whenever time allows, simply sit in a quiet place and slowly breathe in through your nose, allowing your abdomen to expand. Then breathe out slowly and repeat for about 10 minutes. Doing this every day, regardless of whether you're stressed out in the moment, can help prepare you for when future stressful situations inevitably pop up during your day.

Keep a Diary

Keep a journal or diary and jot down troubling thoughts and stressful situations you had to deal with at work. Writing down your thoughts and feelings at the end of each day has a way of putting things in perspective and offers closure. You may even begin to notice patterns in your daily actions and thought processes and be able to eliminate those negative situations in the future.

Talk to Someone

Sharing our emotions with others is another great coping strategy for stress. Find a fellow nurse you can lean on, a friend you trust, a family member that you feel at ease with, or even a therapist. Opening up to someone can help alleviate your worries and gain advice on the situation.

Nursing can be a very stressful profession. Holding onto this stress can be harmful to the health of yourself and others, preventing you from reaching your full potential. However, there are ways to deal with the effects, both at work and at home.

What are you doing to take care of yourself?