To provide quality care while feeling good at work, it’s important to develop strategies to cope with stress and manage anxiety. Before you can take care of others, you need to focus on yourself. Our team has prepared some tips to help you master your anxiety!
Our Tips for Managing Anxiety as a Nurse
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective
- When a situation becomes too stressful, you can always try to take a break to calm down.
- If stress overwhelms you, try practicing deep breathing. This technique is simple: breathe in deeply through your nose, hold your breath for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. Take several breaths to regulate your nervous system and reduce your anxiety.
- Use your free time to truly disconnect from work and engage in activities that help you unwind. For example, clear your mind by taking walks or doing sports.
Stress Management from One of Our Nurses in the Far North
During assignments, even if we take time with each patient, the days can be long and tiring. We asked Jessica, one of our nurses familiar with the North, to share some of her valuable stress management techniques. According to her, the key is to maintain a good lifestyle:
- A Morning Routine: Each morning, before starting her day, Jessica practices meditation, stretching, and journaling. This allows her to have a moment for herself and to start the day on the right foot, feeling more zen and positive.
- Physical Activity: A daily walk, yoga, or stretching can help release tension and bring a sense of well-being.
- Spending Time Outside: Whether it’s a walk in the forest or by the water, being in contact with nature is always very beneficial.
- Taking Breaks: When possible, allowing yourself time to do nothing is essential for recharging your batteries.
- Prioritizing Sleep: Quality rest is fundamental for managing stress.
- Limiting Caffeine Intake: Consuming less coffee can help reduce anxiety and promote better relaxation.
- Animal Therapy (Jessica’s favorite): There are many dogs in the North. Taking time to walk, play with, or pet them is always very beneficial.
Your Colleagues Are Your Best Allies
Whether during hospital shifts or on an assignment, your colleagues are your best support. They are the only ones who know and understand the realities of your job and the situations you face with your patients. In the Far North, solidarity is an important value: at all times, you will find valuable help and reliable people you can count on.
To improve your practice in complex situations, you can ask for feedback from your fellow nurses and doctors. You can also discuss situations that cause you anxiety with your colleagues. This will help you grow in your work, be more effective, and optimize your way of working.
Choosing Nordik
When you are part of the Premier Soin Nordik team, you benefit from advantages that help reduce stress and anxiety. You can have flexible schedules that make your daily life easier and access to training like the expanded role training that allows you to advance in your career.
When you work for Premier Soin Nordik, our telephone helpline is available 24/7 to offer you a human approach. If you are in a situation of mental distress, there will always be someone to listen to you. You can talk to real people who understand your difficulties and will help you find solutions together. Don’t hesitate to contact us at any time, we are here to support you.
Finding assignments in the Far North also allows a return to basics. As an agency, Premier Soin Nordik offers you various types of assignments in northern communities. Thus, you could work in remote areas such as James Bay, Nunavik, or the Haute-Côte-Nord.
During assignments, you meet Indigenous communities. Despite the possible culture shock, it is a unique opportunity to discover a new way of life. The contract duration is generally a minimum of four weeks. It is not uncommon to see nurses choose longer periods to explore and visit different communities.
Is this for you? Apply now!