Question

Working in the healthcare field is stressful. What are some things that you do to relieve or reduce stress throughout your work day and when you are at home?

Answer 1

Burnout is common in healthcare professionals.

Following are the ways how I as a healthcare professional try to relieve stress during work day:-

1. I personally believe and feel that having healthy relation with your co-worker is necessary to have less stressing day at work. I try to keep good ties with my co-workers so that the working hours aren't tiresome. Usually we discuss our patients and exchange information to keep our spirits high during work hours without feeling bored or fatigued. I also tend to share my work burden with my coworkers and vice versa to let our service run smoothly around for patients.

2. I also go for a short walk at break time with my colleagues to have fresh air around since hospital is quite a shell to be in for a whole day. So I don't miss a quick walk at break, a mandatory one.

3. I frequently take mood elevating snacks during work day like chocolates, bananas which are good source of dopamine, hormone that elevates mood, a happy hormone.

4. To keep myself alert and to avoid headache due to stress at work day, I don't miss my coffee or tea at least twice, which both are good source of caffeine that helps in awakening. So keeping in view what snacks and beverages will help me fight stress I tend to have chocolates , bananas, tea and coffee during my duty hours.

5. Since we live in an age of technology so I don't miss this opportunity while I am having stressful day at work to take advantage of it. I try to use Applications on my phone that are medical based which keep my knowledge up to date regarding my job as well as refresh me.

6. If I feel my colleague isn't helpful around or somehow adding to my stress during working day I try to maintain a limit and draw a line between us so that I may not suffer while already having a stressfull day. It is necessary to identify the people who may add to your dismay at your workplace to maintain a distance for your own good.

7. I also keep my favorite novel with me while on working day. Whenever I am free and sitting idle at my workplace after I am done with my round orders and no active complains from patients are coming, I read the novel. It change my mood and I feel less stressed.

Following are the ways how I as a healthcare professional try to relieve my stress at home:-

1. I believe in leaving your burdens of workplace there only. I don't carry that baggage to my home.

2. While I am back from workplace I believe taking shower is good to destress yourself.

3. After shower I offer my prayers. I feel better at a spiritual level while connecting to my creator. It relieves one from stress differently.

4. After I offer prayers, I take a quick nap. Necessary to get back to my senses. I don't sleep because then I won't be able to sleep at night. So a nap is enough while coming back from tiring day.

5. To destress my self after a tiring day, I also watch Television. I am not a social media fan but I love connecting to my friends and discuss our weekend plans.

6. I spend time with my parents, talk with them, share my stress to feel better. Its always helpful to share your problems and worries to parents. So I don't miss doing that after a hectic day at work. And listening to them keenly. To their advices.

7. I do cooking and cook my favourite meals, a really good way to destress, to treat yourself with good food at home.

8. I don't get time for evening walk because working hours are quite hectic and late. So instead I do morning walk, meditation.