How to help your mind and body after a stressful day
I have worked in patient care for just over two years now. Despite its many ups and downs, I’ve greatly appreciated the experience and routine I’ve built.
I’m a hospital sitter, formally termed as a patient safety attendant. Basically, my job is to pay extra attention and ensure the safety of patients who are, for one reason or another, at risk. Most often I spend the day with patients experiencing dementia, Alzheimer’s, or a mental health emergency. As rewarding as it is to help, I went through a long period where I felt that every day at work left me emotional, impatient, and exhausted. After reaching somewhat of a breaking point, I recouped with myself and created a small but meaningful routine that has changed the after effects of my job.
- Cleaning up
At work all kinds of things can happen but just being in a hospital, you are exposed to all kinds of bacteria and smells.
I made it a habit to always clean myself up after my shift. Just a pack of wipes and an extra can of deodorant spray did the trick. It’s no shower, but dedicating that time to freshen up a bit has improved my emotional state massively.
- Pack a change of clothes
After cleaning myself up, I’ve also started to change out of my uniform into a simple loose outfit. You could go as far as buying a matching lounge set but really just having a dedicated pair of sweatpants and tops is perfect.
- Let down your hair
When working in a medical setting, I always have to have my hair up in some way, usually in a tight pony or bun, but I noticed that usually I get somewhat of a headache. Because of this I carry a small hairbrush with me now and take down the hairstyle before driving home. It’s a great way to relieve some of the tension that builds up over the day.
- Have a snack
It’s a common phenomenon for people under stress to turn to food to cope. I’ve found myself many times in the drive-thru of some fast food joint, only to feel regretful and nauseous soon after.
So, now I always pack myself something fulfilling that I can eat after my shifts. The choices are really yours, my own options aren’t too consistent, but I have found that making it something that you look forward to helps.
7 Quick and Healthy Snacks for When You’re on the Go
- Prioritize quiet on your drive home.
After all that, I usually feel refreshed enough to make my trip home. But even so, driving tired and stressed out can undo the work. I made it a rule for myself to only listen to soft things on my way home. Some ideas for those things are audiobooks, sound-scapes and ambient music. I personally love listening to movie and game soundtracks, you really can never go wrong.
Why You Should Give Audiobooks a Chance
These little steps have all greatly helped me in destressing after work. The demands in this field ask a lot of our energy, patience and empathy. Since I started making these items a habit, I noticed a big shift in how I carry my experiences home. It makes me reassured that I can handle my future in this taxing but fulfilling line of work.