Unit 2 offers further exploration into the mind/body continuum. The Journey On relaxation exercise is meant to allow you to focus on controlling the flow of blood through the body. This technique is intended to help you relax and relieve tension caused by stress. The exercise was very relaxing, yet I found myself being lulled to sleep by the narrator. As a caregiver and nurse, relaxation and alleviation of stress are important issues to address. Care giver role strain is a common phenomenon, and is one of the leading causes of abuse and neglect. As a nurse it is important that I am knowledgeable about stress relieving techniques and positive coping mechanisms in order to minimize care giver role strain and nurse burnout. Using the mind to control the body is an amazing technique, and I hoe to be able to effectively utilize it in my daily personal life.
Shartyse
I think it is great that you are aware of your own stress level and how it effects your job and ability to do your job. If you can keep yourself centered then you are likely to enjoy everything that you do. It sounds like you are doing a great job so far.
ReplyDeleteShartyse,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tamara that it is wonderful that you are able to recognize your stress level. I am also a nurse and am going back to school so I completely understand the stress you are under. They say sometimes it is a good idea to leave the floor for five minutes to clear your head and deep breath...however that is not always possible ha ha. I am going to have to give this exercise a shot. Great blog! Thanks for sharing!
-Meg Krapf
Shartyse
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to start this journey. I am not a nurse but I am in the medical field so I also understand the stressors of the medical field. One thing my father tought me (well actually lots) is that there is no need to sweat the small stuff. My father never worked late because it would always be there in the morning. He also passed to me that it is OK to step out for a second. I never eat lunch in my office and every hour or so I take a walk around the lab area and then come back to my task with a clear head.
Thanks
Erika
Shartyse
DeleteI was re-reading your blog and I thought of something new. Several years ago I worked with the Wounded Warriors in AZ and often times we would start to "feel" what they were feeling, which was not good. They coined the term "provider fatigue" so they started a program to help with this. Today, I work with docs, nurses, and other medical personnel who are directly involved in patient care at the burn center and they started a "room" called the "Resiliency room". In this room you can listen to music, waterfalls, get a massage, or just sit in there in piece and quite with some sort of aroma therapy. It's a great idea that I wish more hospitals, nursing homes and etc would offer the caregivers.
Thanks for being a nurse!
Erika
Shartyse,
ReplyDeleteLike you I found the relaxation technique to be a bit too relaxing, however I did find myself energized afterward. Being in the medical field myself I find the end of the day has my shoulder muscles in a complete knot. Stress is actually one of the main reasons we are all finding ourselves feeling ill and coming up with diseases of an unknown cause. I think it's important to find an outside source to help us relieve these stressors. I enjoyed reading your blog.
Thanks,
Narda
Wow what a great addition to the post. You add great points about why this is beneficial to you and your career. You make a great point about the "nurse burnout" and/or the "caregiver strain" and I feel that if we can all look closely at this we can learn that we too need this no matter the job. Personally, as a parent, I believe this is a great way to relieve stress. Don't let the stress build, we should strive for this to become a natural habit, like brushing your teeth. Good post!
ReplyDelete