As a nurse or nurse aid, life can be crazy busy. Adding family and friend obligations on top of your job leaves little time to care for yourself. Taking just a few minutes each day to focus on yourself can leave you rejuvenated and ready to tackle the rest of your day.
1. Listen to Audiobooks –
With audiobooks, it’s possible to digest your favorite book or movie, within a few hours, and without reading or turning on the TV. This is what nurse and nurse aids with crazy schedules have been waiting for! You can listen to audiobooks on the way to your shift, while making breakfast, or even before bed. Split the chapters up by day so that you have a little relaxation time reserved each day.
There’s audiobooks available for sleep aid, letting go of stress, or even motivation. Although some audiobooks have to be paid for, there are some free ones available online.
2. Color an Adult Coloring Page –
Tapping into your inner child can be extremely beneficial to reducing stress. Adult coloring has been proven to have therapeutic effects. This is because coloring requires focus and attention to detail which distracts us from stress driven thoughts. In addition, coloring is a low stakes activity. Even if you color outside the lines, there are no repercussions. So feel free to scribble away!
There are free, online adult coloring pages that can be printed.
3. Play Some Tunes –
Listening to music is a great way to unwind. Music can connect with and affect your brain function as well as your feelings and emotion. There are tons of playlists online created to aid sleep, improve focus, or reduce stress. Do some searching online and find the best playlist that works for you.
Another way to feel good at low cost is to listen to some old favorites. Make a playlist that brings you back to the good old days. Nostalgia works wonders on the brain and heart!
4. Have a Glass of Wine –
Indulging in a little wine each night has proven health benefits. Hallelujah! In fact, a glass of red wine per night can prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Red wine is also high in antioxidants which when drank with a meal, can absorb the sugars of the meal faster.
So there’s no need to feel bad about drinking a little wine each night. Cuddle up with a glass and your favorite TV show. Relax and improve your health all at once!
5. Take A Technology-Free Break –
With our busy lives, sometimes its hard to find time to completely disconnect ourselves from technology. However, even if we can just find ten or twenty minutes to spare, it can help us reduce stress. The constant notifications and distractions keep us tapped into what our friends are doing, what’s going on in the world, and our work obligations. Being constantly plugged in increases our stress and anxiety because the brain never gets a chance to relax.
Try taking a technology free break at work. Go for a walk or sit outside instead. You can even set a timer at home for twenty minutes and take that technology free time to reflect on the day.
