Are you pressed for time in your nursing profession? Are you always on the go? Do you ever feel stressed out? Are you stressed out during the day in your nursing career? You know what I mean. You get up in the morning and must rush out of the door to get to your nursing job. At your job, you have 100 things coming at you and a list of tasks to get done for the day. You rush home, you take care of the "stuff" at home, and do it again the next day. So how do you deal with the stress. 

Are you pressed for time in your nursing profession? Are you always on the go? Do you ever feel stressed out? Are you stressed out during the day in your nursing career? At your job, you have 100 things coming at you and a list of tasks to get done for the day. So how do you deal with the stress in your nursing profession? More and more nurses and nursing students are dealing with stress at some point of the day. More and more health issues are arising because of stress. How can you kill the root of stress to live a better and healthier career and life? 

Often overlooked is the danger and associated stress that nurses face when working with patients with infectious diseases. During major outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 crisis that reached global pandemic status in 2020, nurses have one of the most dangerous jobs. Research shows nurses are among the workers who face the greatest risk of contracting the coronavirus due to their exposure to the disease and their physical proximity to others in the work environment. A recent study of healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 found high levels of mental health symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia. More than 70% reported experiencing psychological distress.

Here are 5 easy steps to manage stress through your nursing day right now:

1. Plan your day. Write down the tasks that you need to do for the day. Use a day planner or an app on your phone. There are many types of day planners. Choose the one that works for you and your needs. This will help you see what really is important to get done. And what is not important in your day. This can help reduce the stress and anxiety in your day by half.

2. Schedule time for yourself. Every week take time for you. Whether it is a whole day or a few hours take the time for you. Watch a movie, take a walk, get your nails done or go get a massage. Do whatever you like to do to relax.  It will help you focus and get more done. You will also gain more energy.

3. If you have too much to get done- delegate tasks out to someone else. It is okay to get help. Ask for help from friends, family, or co-workers. Or hire someone to take some of the workload off you. When you do everything, stress takes over. Your life will start to collapse.

4. Share your feelings. Venting to friends and family members about work challenges can help relieve stress. Professional, community, and faith-based organizations can also provide outlets for sharing experiences. Many people find that recording their thoughts and feelings helps clear their mind.

5. Limit exposure to media, particularly social media. While it is important to stay informed during health crises, setting parameters for the time and duration of media consumption prevents fixation on negative events.

These actions are a start to take a handle on stress. Pick two easy steps and start utilizing it. It is time to get back a better career and life. It will tremendously help your physical body.It is crucial for nurses to understand the importance of self-care. For those who have dedicated their lives to helping others, it can be difficult to accept a simple truth: Their lives and health are no less precious than that of their patients. In fact, because their ability to do their jobs is dependent on their health, they have a duty to protect their own well-being.Nurses who learn to successfully manage stress are more likely to experience the rewards of their work, including the perspective that comes from helping others during times of crisis. Many find that their work teaches them a greater tolerance for others, helps them experience more gratitude and spiritual connection, and makes them appreciate loved ones even more.