5 Life Coping Skills For Nurses
The nursing profession has always been said to be for the strong hearted and 'lion-spirited'. So much energy is expended during each shift such that even as an empathetic and compassionate nurse, you could still find the nursing profession extremely difficult without the required stamina and a good number of nurse-life coping skills. Luckily the good news remains, no matter how exhausting the profession might be, you can still find it rewarding if proper measures are taken.
Life in the role of a nurse
A typical bedside nurse wakes up as early as 5-6am, freshens up and has to report to work early enough for duty hand over. She works for long hours, provides holistic care to numerous clients, eventually witnesses the end of many lives lost to severe injuries and terminal illnesses.
10-70% of nurses suffer from burnout and stress which in turn results in:
● Poor feeding habits- Nurses are most often found out to skip meals as a result of trying to beat resumption time and heavy workloads as is the case in short staffed hospitals. Some are forced into unhealthy food choices including high junk consumption. Long shifts leave them exhausted, lacking the needed motivation to prepare healthy meals on return home.
● Decreased concentration and motivation: Unfavorable work conditions automatically results in less motivation. Low income, violence and harassment in the workplace, lack of support from leaders and also poor infrastructure or lack of equipment and instrument are factors that could decrease the motivation of any nurse.
● Emotional strain: Losing patients, high work pressure and inability to control situations on ground leaves nurses with a strain on our emotional health.
● Depression and anxiety: Family problems, dissatisfaction, the demanding nature of the profession and under appreciation all contribute to the rise of depression and anxiety among nurses.
● Insomnia: A huge percentage of nurses have the persistent problem of falling or staying asleep. Irregular sleep schedule caused by stress in the workplace and uncomfortable sleeping patterns and environment results in insomnia.
What are life coping skills?
Life coping skills are methods which a person uses to deal with stressful situations. The medical dictionary defines it as any characteristic or behavioral pattern that enhances a person's adaptation. They include a stable value or religious belief system, problem solving, social skills, health-energy and commitment to a social network. These skills are extremely important for nurses to adapt and cope with their job.
Life coping skills for nurses
Practice diversional therapies : Diversional therapies are no longer only suitable for patients. Music and arts are helpful in alleviating and reducing stress levels. Background music has over time been proven to have a good effect on emotions. It quiets the mind, relaxes muscles, releases stress and lowers heart rate. The use of imagery techniques and art works can also help you alleviate stress. Positive thoughts are brought to mind on sighting beautiful arts and sculptures are placed in wards.
Practice mindfulness: During tensed up moments, mindfulness practices come in handy for nurses. Meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises and intentional living are all practices totally helpful. Deep breathing exercises not only decrease stress but also relieves you of pain, improves your immunity, increase your energy level and improves digestion. In several cases, they support correct posture. Meditation on the other hand, helps increase focus and concentration, it helps the nurse improve self-awareness, build self-esteem and lowers level of anxiety. Yoga is also another helpful mindfulness practice. Nurses should learn how to live life intentionally. Self care is never selfish.
Ensure work-life balance: It is also extremely important that you learn to maintain an equilibrium between personal life and career work. To do this, nurses need to learn to invest in self-care, set priorities right, create realistic schedules, learn to say no and also know that having fun is not against the rules. Boundaries should be properly set between work and your private lives. For instance when on a break, you should not be involved or be assigned to emergency duty shifts. Breaks should be breaks and work should be work. Learn to practice self compassion by doing something enjoyable. Spending quality time with self and nature, taking walks and other recreational activities is highly encouraged.
Ask for support: When there's obvious damage or strain to the emotional health then it is only advisable to seek help. Seeking help is important as it not only seeks guidance but also helps you reduce risks and complications following mental health problems. It helps you get back on track as soon as possible, also it making you more accountable to them yourself.
Maintain healthy diet and exercise: As earlier discussed many nurses are obesed and with extremely poor feeding habits. Proper planning should be made by nurses in order to meet up with work schedule. Setting a schedule to exercise increases your overall health and well being as a nurse.
Conclusion
Nursing is undeniably tasking and often stressful but with proper practice of life coping skills, nurses experience less stress, improvement in their mental and physical health, become more professional and creative. In no time it is a totally rewarding experience as higher level of happiness and fulfillment comes knocking.