Five Ways to Unwind After a Long Shift

Nursing is both a highly rewarding profession and also one of the most demanding. Why, you ask? Long, difficult shifts. Nurses work up to 12 hours for an average shift, with many ending up working overtime. Naturally, these long work hours will start to take a toll on personal health and wellbeing. With the rate of burnout amongst nursing professionals continuously on the rise, it’s essential that you take care of yourself after taking care of others at work! Keep reading to find the five top things we recommend you do in order to unwind after a long shift.
Unplug

Here at Job Medic, we understand how passionate nurses are about the work they do. We also understand how a 12 hour shift can leave you both physically and mentally exhausted.
It’s always important to make a little time for yourself and one of the best ways to do this is by simply unplugging yourself from the hectic chaos of life. We know it’s not always possible to do so, but why not try switching off your phone and other gadgets for a couple of hours before going to bed? You’ll be instantly grateful for the silence which will help give you a break from the world and let you focus on yourself for a while. It will also help you sleep better after your shift!
Have a Conversation

It’s no secret that nursing is a difficult career path to take. We receive numerous applications every day and one of the main things we look for is the ability for a person to be able to handle the tough challenges nurses face on a daily basis.
One of the best things you can do for yourself after a hard day is to sit down and talk about it. Whether it’s with your best friend, partner or family member, sometimes talking about the events that have taken place at work can make it easier for you to process your emotions and relieve tension. A good listener can make all the difference in helping you de-stress and the best part? After you finish discussing it, you don’t have to think about it anymore, making your mind feeling lighter.
Treat Yourself

We see how hard you work to look after everyone else, so why shouldn’t you take time to look after yourself? Trust us when we say that little things will go a long way.
Pour yourself a glass of wine and run a hot bath to help alleviate your tension. Head to the cinema to let your stress out as you watch a movie and munch on some popcorn. Alternatively you could even meet up with a friend to play a sport together. No matter how you choose to do it, just make sure you take a little time out to concentrate on yourself and your personal health – you definitely deserve it and you’ll be happier once you do!
Exercise

As a nurse, the main aspect of your job role is to help others, but constantly focusing your energy on other people can become extremely draining. There’s no doubt that this will have a negative impact on your personal health, which is why you should do something to help boost your energy.
It has already been proven that regular exercise can significantly improve your mood as well as being a brilliant way to relieve stress. Exercising after a long shift is a great way to burn off your frustrations – literally. It doesn’t even matter what type of exercise you choose to do, as long as it’s an activity you enjoy. Whether it’s a light yoga session, a quick HIIT workout, a therapeutic run or a game of football, any form of exercise will help you clear your mind and get you feeling positive for the next day.
Read a Book

Working long shifts in the healthcare industry can leave you feeling extremely overwhelmed and stressed out, especially after being on your feet all day. We highly recommend reading to unwind after a crazy shift.
Whether you choose to read something new, or want to re-read something you love, there’s nothing better than escaping the world and getting lost inside a good novel. Make yourself a hot drink before finding the perfect reading spot to get comfortable in. This is an ideal way of getting the change of scene you need without having to physically go anywhere!
Finding time to unwind after work is critical in order to help you avoid feeling over-worked, stressed and rundown. It will help you stay positive in a work environment which often doesn’t allow you to be and it will also make sure you perform better in your job role.
All of us at Job Medic understand and appreciate the amount of work nurses carry out everyday in order to help make a difference to people in need. They’re strong, passionate and full of empathy and deserve to be rewarded for everything they do. After looking for the perfect way to say thank you, we’ve launched the #HappyLast campaign to help remind you to put yourself first for once.