Relieving Stress | 5 IDEAS

If you don't know already, I'm a Nurse. Yes, a 22 year old nurse. We do exist. And with this career comes STRESS. I have never been so stressed in a workplace in any of my jobs. In fact, no. I've never been so stressed in all my life. Not through Uni, not through school, not through doing anything that takes me out of my comfort zone. I do three 12 and a half hour shifts a week and once a month I do four. My workplace is very unpredictable - as in busyness and illness. You can come in with a plan for your day and after handover you have like 20 things to add to your to-do list. And let me tell you, 12 hours is not a lot of time. TRUST ME. Plus, being newly qualified and thrown into the deep end in a, mostly, crazy busy ward just sends your stress levels sky high.

Don't get me wrong, my colleagues are lovely and supportive and have really helped me over the last few months and I really love my patients but my stress levels have just been going up.

So, I want to share with you a few ways on how I deal with stress.
Also, I know everyone deals with stress in different ways but this is what works for me:...


1. LISTEN TO MUSIC.

I find music so therapeutic. I've been a music junkie my whole life - I kid you not - and listening to soft, calming music really de-stresses me. Also, music I can sing along to helps me. I do play instruments but when I'm stressed I do tend to get frustrated with myself if I get something wrong. I've even got a calm playlist on my spotify just for stressful moments.

2. TAKE A BATH.

I never used to enjoy baths but now - maybe because I'm older - I flipping LOVE them. It has to be the right temperature though. Man, if it's too hot and I feel as though I'm sweating then I will not relax. Top off a good temperature with some (loads of) bubbles, a bath bomb, maybe some bath salts, maybe some candles, a good show on my laptop, magazines, a drink and I'm sorted.

3. WATCH YOUTUBE/TV SHOWS/FILMS.

Really just watch something you don't need to really think about or have to use that part of your brain that makes you focus. A lot of programmes I've been watching recently need good brain power so I've been reverting to making a "watch later" playlist on YouTube for when I'm stressed. It's a great help.

4. COLOURING-IN BOOK.

If you're not on board with the whole adult colouring book thing then this isn't for you. I was very skeptical about this new trend when it first came out. Trust me, my dad told me about them and I instantly though "Uncool. Lame". However, these things are so much fun and they really do relieve stress. You can get them anywhere. Just go into a shop and you're sure to find one.

5. GO FOR A WALK.

Taking a nice stroll through a country park or even just down your street can really clear your mind. There's just something about taking in the fresh air and beauty of nature that really clears my head.

So they're is my top 5 things on how I relieve stress.
How do you relieve stress?

Twitter: @simplykarah10

Bekah // SK x