How to cope with stress from work?

Question

I am a nurse, I work at a nursing home. A new grad, just married, just moved away from home. I have been dealing with depression and anxiety for years, but now that I am in a real job and have to be reliable and responsible, it is becoming too much to deal with. I am on mediaction, I go to thereapy, but I always ask about coping skills and I never get a straight answer. My psychiatrist said that I have had an enormous amount of stress in the past few months and thinks that I am handling it fairly well (there is more than just my job, I've had deaths of close friends among other things). Can anyone help, I feel like I can't go on like this anymore, and I just want to shut down and quit.

Answer 1

According to my life skills class:
to protect yourself, learn the early warnings of burnout and take immediate action when you recognize them. Taking care of yourself involves self-awareness, clear limit setting, protecting your energy, accepting your imperfections, asserting your emotional needs and remaining true to your deepest values. To prevent stress and burnout, it is most helpful to have a stress management plan.

Be Natrual- A Stress Management Plan:

Breathing
Exercise

Nutrition
Attitude
Time Management
Uniqueness
Relaxation
Associations-Support System
Laughter

I know these are just words from someone who does not know you and having so many changes in your life at one time can be extremely difficult because you're being pulled in all different directions, but try very hard to take care of you. Like take a personal day and do the things you like, affirm that no matter how bad things are- work, death, that life is beautiful. Take a few minutes out of your day to just breathe and relax. Stay close to family and other friends and let other people take care of you sometimes.
God bless you and best wishes with everything.

Answer 2

Are you making time for yourself. I can not stress this enough. even though all your time is taken up between working and the rest of the world, you need to make time for yourself. Once work is done for the day forget about it. Dont take stress from work home with you. Have a hot bath read a book. Go for a fast walk. Exercise releases endorphins, which can make you happy. It will also give you a boost of energy to get you through the rest of the day. You are more important than everything else going on, dont forget that. Invest in yourself it is worth it. Have a bath and treat your self to something sweet after. Hope this helps. Good luck and Good health to you.

Answer 3

Your stress comes from your thoughts. But don't worry you can get rid of the stress by puttings those thoughts away for a while. There are many relaxation techniques, and i bet you know some yourself, eg. go for a walk, talk to a friend about your problems, deep breathing. Remember when its time to relax, relax! No thoughts about work, family,friends etc! Keep on your mind blank, and soak up the beauty of life that is all around you. You feel very much alive and contented after that. Trust me!

Answer 4

omg sweetie, i thought that this was my Q, u sound like me, i am a nurse working at a nursing home too, and i know all about STRESS AT WORK< AUGHHHHH JUST SAY THAT WITH ME AUGHHHHHHHHHH. phew feel a bit better. Keep goin to your councilling hun, keep talking to people when u feel down, im on celexa 40mg i always have to remember to take it , i start feeling down and have the anxiety. Things i help to cope, is talk to others, write down my feelings, sing, take "me " time, a nice bath, walk, go to the gym, get out allll that stress, and if it doenst work, take some sick time at work. i have none left,lol but some days i wanna quit find a new nursing job and move away and start a new, keep hangin in there!

Answer 5

Take a look at ( http://www.reducingstress.net )
They have some great content on understanding and beating stress. There is a whole section on workplace stress.