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Are you a stressed out nursing student? What’s stressing you out in nursing school that has you yanking out all your hair, keeping you up into the wee hours of the night and/or randomly bursting out crying? Could it be the volumes of reading, memorizing lab values, figuring out medical math, studying pharmacology, prepping for the exams (without curve grading) and/or working on those 30 page care plans? Prepping for clinical test offs because your instructor rattles your nerves right? It’s okay, we’ve all been there but we’ll give you some ideas on how to reduce some of those nursing school stresses!
IDEA #1 GET OUTDOORS
It doesn’t matter if you need to just leave the library or your house and just take a walk. If it’s during the day, getting some fresh air and the much needed sunshine will cheer up your mood. Get outside for a break because that 15 minute break clears your mind. During that break, do not I repeat DO NOT think about studying or any other grim thought. Just take that time to zen out. Think about your next vacation while you’re out on that hike, walk, or run.
IDEA #2 TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS/FAMILY
When you’re a stressed out nursing student, you feel like it’s impossible to keep tabs on your friends. After all that’s what you were told during nursing school orientation! Remember this?
The truth is you can squeeze a quick call over to them or even a brief text message just to let them know you’re alive! If you’re a serious multi-tasker (AKA) translate to : parent and employed while going to school full time, fitting in a personal call might be tough. Try doing gasp a group email to stay in touch!
IDEA #3 SLEEP IN
That’s right, we said it SLEEP IN! Class is over, exam #1 is over, just hit the sack and rest your body & mind! As a stressed out nursing student running on steam is a disservice to your brain cells. In order for you to replenish what’s left of your brain cells sleep does a brain good and according to James Gallagher reporting for BBC News, his article http://www.bbc.com/news/health-27695144 underscores the value of sleep and its effect on memory power!
IDEA #4 INDULGE IN ONE FOOD VICE (WE’LL GET IN TROUBLE FOR THIS TIP)
Before you were a stressed out nursing student, you followed healthier eating habits right (or not)? Isn’t it funny that the best time to adopt healthy habits is DURING nursing school because aren’t we trying to be healthy role models for our patients? Hmmmm…yet that snickers bar, gallon of ice cream, french fries run to Wendy’s never tasted better. Go ahead, indulge in one food vice because for the moment it just might make you feel better. Salad, anyone as a food vice?
IDEA #5 GO GET THAT WORKOUT IN
Working out and lifting weights has proven itself to be a stress buster for any stressed out nursing student. I remember right before a pharmacology exam I hit the treadmill, with an amped up motor speed, elevated incline and just speed-walked for a solid 40 minutes. No need to run (but if you can hack that), go pretend you’re running the New York marathon! I skimmed through my pharm notes while trekking on the treadmill and it seemed as though the content absorbed better! If nothing else I felt an adrenaline rush after the workout! However, I’d recommend NOT studying during the workout instead just relax your brain and let the endorphins flow!
IDEA #6 MEDITATION & PRAYER
What works for you? Chanting OMMMM or do you feel rejuvenated with prayer? Whichever spiritual truth or religious doctrine you follow, get closer to it because in the wee hours of the night when you’re questioning your sanity, decisions and endurance factor–the one thing that might hold your psyche in place is prayer. Don’t have a belief system now? It’s okay, send out your cares to the universe and let it go.
There are so many other ways to cope when you’re a stressed out nursing student, what’s your tip? Share it because we want to hear it!
