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Mental health is a crucial aspect that is often ignored in terms of healthcare. Nurses are often subject to a lot of stress, anxiety, and sleepless nights, due to the constant demand of the job. Read on for four ways nurses can look after their mental health, despite the high-stress environment.
Get Enough Sleep
To take care of your mental health, it is important to get enough sleep. A lack of sleep can lead to fatigue, depression, disorientation, and even physical health problems. You should aim to get a full 8 hours every night. If you’re struggling to drift off, try drinking valerian tea, taking a natural supplement, or using lavender essential oil.
Seek Help When You Need It
With the ever-growing workload and stress, nurses are often the first to experience burnout and mental health issues because of their profession. It is important to remember that you should not be afraid to talk to your supervisor, your coworkers, or your family about your mental health. Unfortunately, it’s all too common that many nurses to suffer from drug and substance abuse issues, due to declining mental health and the stress of the job, so it’s so vital to ask for help if you need it. It’s okay to take a break to rest and recharge. It is okay to take time off. It is okay to get some outside help. Addiction Treatment for Nurses is available for those who need it, so don’t wait until it’s too late.
Exercise
Exercising is a great way to relieve some of the stress of the day. If you, like many nurses, find yourself rushed off your feet running around the hospital all day, it can be challenging to find the motivation to exercise in your free time. So, rather than doing something physically demanding, you can try light exercises, such as yoga or Thai Chi. It can help clear your mind and put the working day aside. The bonus of doing exercise is that it promotes deep sleep, helping you to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go.
Spend Time with Friends and Family
It’s important to take time for ourselves and make time for friends and family. If you are experiencing personal problems with your mental health, it is important to be open and honest with your friends and family about what you are going through, if you feel able to do so. It is important to remember that they care for you, and they want to help you. Spending time with loved ones also allows you to relax, feel carefree, and just have some fun.
When you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, alone, and off-balance, you may be feeling the effects of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, or stress, that can lead to substance abuse. These issues can not only be detrimental to yourself but can also have an adverse effect on your patients. It’s so important you seek help and start to prioritize yourself, today.
