Reduce stress and regain your love of caregiving

You probably entered the health care industry to help people but many nurses often find themselves stressed and suffering from debilitating burnout due to putting their job before themselves.

After all the time and energy it took to become a nurse you deserve to be happy and enjoy what you do. The first step to rediscovering your passion for caregiving is to reduce stress from your job.

So, you might be wondering, what are some ways you can manage your stress levels? Here are five ways proven to assist you in taking back control and enjoying your life and job again.

Have some 'Me Time'

Here in the U.K. we work the longest hours in Europe! Which means we don't spend enough time doing the things we really enjoy. Professor Cary Cooper, an occupational health expert at the university of Lancaster says "We all need to take some time for socialising, relaxing and exercising. He recommends having dedicated time set aside each week for quality time, and that earmarking those two days you're less likely to be tempted to work over time.

Adopt and learn a relaxation technique

The thing with relaxation technique is that there's no one shoe fits all. Breathing exercises are of the easiest stress busting practices because you simply focus on your breathing. Sit or lie down down in a quiet place, take a deep breath and breathe out slowly through your mouth. The 4-7-8 approach is a great one to concentrate on. Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds and exhale for 8.

Exercise

So many people swear that exercise helps them to reduce stress in their life. Whether it's walking, running, cycling, yoga etc. Movement of any kind can boost your endorphins - especially if you're able to get outside.

Eat right and sleep well

We all know that eating badly stresses out our body internally, but it has equally detrimental effects on your stress levels and being able to switch off. Sharon Melnick, Ph.D., a business psychologist advises eating a diet low is sugar and high in protein. Protein helps to slow the release of sugar into the blood stream and improves mood under stress by reducing cortisol concentration and raising brain serotonin activity.

Find a new hobby

Dedicating time to enjoying anew activity can help you relax and reset. It's also an excellently effective way to provide some balance in your life. Try different things to find what you love.

To conclude, preventing and managing long-term stress can lower your risk for other conditions like heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and depression. Managing your stress will mean you can get back to enjoying your career again. And who doesn't want to love what they do?

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