We've all had a crappy day at work. But in the nursing field a crappy day can literally be an actual crappy day (code brown, anyone?). So how do we do it? How do we get over having a really bad day?
ModernNurse has published dozens of articles on self-care and its importance for nurses. But there are small things we all do to help get over a truly no good, very bad day. We asked readers what small things they do for themselves after a bad day. Check out what they said below and don't forget to add your own in the comments section below.
"Eating or drinking something nice and warm or something that I really like."
- Carol Y.
"I go to bed early. Put the day behind you and look forward to starting fresh."
- Lisa D.
"I unplug. No phone, no email. I read a book or put on a movie."
- Kathy J.
"A hot bath is magic after a bad day. Relaxing, indulgent, me time."
- Kristi K.
"I go for a run. Even if it's raining or cold. Doesn't even have to be a very long run, just getting outside and getting my blood pumping does the trick."
- Darren G.
"Meditation and quiet time."
- Alyson R.
"Hug my family and remember what's important."
- Joanne W.
"Art. Any kind of art -draw, play guitar, paint."
- John K.
"I get my craft on. Pinterest always has the latest easy DIY and if you mess it up at least you can show you friends a funny 'nailed it' picture."
- Penny G.
"For religious people like me, I pray and read a devotional or bible verses to help."
- Katie S.
Your turn! What small things do you do for yourself to get through a bad day? Share below in the comments section.
When I sit is my car I, “Shake it off.” After getting home I, “Wash it down the drain.” After that, it’s behind me. I go directly to sleep, waking up refreshed then go for a run.
Tonight I just sat in my backyard with my dogs and watched my goats grazing. Peaceful relaxing until Aries started head butting Orion. Back to Listening to the night birds. Nothing
I pray and hug my family. I am always grateful for what is the best and important. Bad things happened were only challenges. I try to learn for anything that happened and do the best next time.
I spend some time in my sunroom with windows all around so I can the birds, squirrels, flowers and trees. I take deep breaths and am grateful that I have survived.
I take a nap and feel rested and able to deal with more.
“I drive the scenic route home…due West, with the warm sun shining in my face.”
I always have $5 in the car for an ice cream cone with chocolate jimmies (sprinkles for those of you not in New England!)
Recently though, Covid added to that no good, very bad day!
I wore my mask to the take-out window, ordered my cone and paid for it, but before I got back to my car so I could take off my mask, on a pleasant 70 degree day, it was running down my arm. Things didn’t improve in the car that had warmed up in the sun. I never caught up. Drip, drip, drip. And it’s only June!
I skype with my kids and grandkids. They are the reason I survive on this earth. Pray before I close my eyes as well
Weather permitting, I work in the garden turning my troubles over to God. If that is not possible I start sewing or crafting and meditating.
I watch a funny show for 30 minutes.
I keep them on TiVo
Modern Family or Big Bang Theory are my go-to shows.
Perfect great way to Wind down
Binge watch on mother nature. This will give you perspective; that in the great grandeur of God’s entire creation, one fallen tree is but a speck and no longer visible in the landscape.
I rethink the situation by evaluating whether I had control over the outcome. If not, I focus on the good part. I still give some thought to can I can change future situations? If i can affect change, I ask myself what I can I do change to improve the situation?
A couple shots of a good 18 year old single malt does it for me
I practice self care. I do positive self talk, pray and practice self reflection. The older I get the more I realize that if I don’t like something then I have to be a change agent. Sometimes there are things within myself that I have to change and other times it may be the environment itself.
I cry then take a shower then go to sleep. When I wake up I’m ready again …. sometimes the crappy day occurs too often though
Rock climb. It all goes away when you are scared #%^*less for 30 minutes and find out that you CAN!!!!
I read my Bible and pray.
I take a day off, then spend time on making myself happy. I go for a hot shower,do it myself facial,whiten my teeth, watch netflix,then lots of rest and sleep!!
A cup of tea with my feet up on the couch and mindless TV and my bunny on my lap and chest. I can’t stay stressed with all the bunny kisses on my neck
Hot bath, candles, good book and a massage!
Sit in my chair and put the news on really enjoy current events. Makes me forget my day and focus on the other things in the world. Good/bad, life goes on, things happen and we are not to question.
Though I realize that days when a lot goes wrong are going to happen, I also think that more of them happen than should. Short staffing overwhelming documentation corporate attitude towards nurses all make it impossible to have a good day. The sad part is it is the patients who pay the price. It all has to change.
I take a hot water bath for a long time period.
I used to do the bath or movie thing, in combo with favorite flavors (i.e. food or drink). With a baby now I don’t get much “me time,” so have to get creative: crank up good music between work and baby sitter’s, take a favorite food for lunch…and call my sis A LOT. She’s a nurse too and listens to me vent, then uses some of those special motivational interviewing skills 😝
I ask for a big hug.
I’ve tried them all: music, massage, food, walks. They only work if I give myself a big dose of positive self-talk and stop telling myself what a failure I am.
I go to the Bible and devotional book, Occasionally just keep talking myself out of my bad feelings, cry, or speak at the wall in my apartment. I also have a great recruiter ( I am a traveler) that will be a sounding board.
I play piano if I am sad, guitar if I am stressed or percussion trap set if I am angry. Some days I play all three before I return to equilibrium……. keys, strings of mallets.
Take a nice walk, by myself, and enjoy the God given beauty of the outdoors!
I go shopping for something nice and expensive for myself or just get a complete body massage with manicure and pedicure.