Please write a 200-word response to this discussion #1 As nurses, we need to fin

Please write a 200-word response to this discussion
#1
As nurses, we need to find effective ways to handle our stress. Explain how stress has affected you personally. How do you manage stress in your life? Are there other activities you could incorporate into daily routine to reduce stress?
Stress, everyone experiences it and deals with it in different ways. Stress can be positive, as long as it is in short bursts and does not last for long periods of time. Stress can be acute or chronic. Some might not even realize they are stressed because they have become so used to it. When one is stressed, hormones are released in the body as a way of dealing with stress. These hormones can raise your pulse, make you more alert, and cause your muscles to tense which can be helpful in dangerous situations, when a deadline is looming, or going on a first date. When stress becomes chronic is when one needs to find ways to cope with it. Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, insomnia, headaches, weight gain, heart disease, skin issues, anxiety, and depression (U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d.).
Dealing with stress is different for everyone, there is no ‘one way helps all’ when it comes to dealing with stress. Taking some time to really think about how I handle stress, stresses me out. I feel like I do not deal it with really well. I just kind of ignore it and push it away. But to be fair to myself, I seldom let things bother me. I do not worry about the stuff that I have no control over and just try to handle things as they come. However, I have had two pretty stressful situations to deal with in the past 5 years. One was a divorce, which even though I wanted it, it was hard and stressful. I dealt with it by focusing on myself. I started an exercise program, started eating better, talked to friends a lot (probably more than they wanted to), and I saw a therapist. My other big stressor is mental health issues with my daughter, which are still ongoing. Pretty sure I am not dealing with that very well. Again, started seeing a therapist, friends try to help but honestly, none of them have been through anything like this with their kids, having a very caring and supportive boyfriend has helped tremendously. Trying to find activities that I like help, but who has time for anything else besides family, work, and school. After last week’s discussion on exercise (shocker, another stressor), I started my exercise program back up this week and I can say, taking that hour to myself has already improved my mood. Other activities that I could incorporate into my daily routine that could help relieve stress include reading (not school related), puzzling (picked that up during the great quarantine times), yoga might be nice, and regular conversations with my Mom and friends will definitely be helpful.
References
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Stress and your health. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003211.htm#:~:text=Stress%20is%20a%20feeling%20of,danger%20or%20meet%20a%20deadline
Please write a 200-word response to this discussion
#2
Stress Discussion
Stress is a common daily occurrence in our personal lives and in the workplace where we care for our patients. Studies have shown that nurses categorized in the “high stress/poor coping” group have a high risk for health problems and poor health outcomes (Jordan et al., 2016). When nurses cannot cope adequately with the stressors of work and life, this can influence their ability to care for patients properly. Stress in the healthcare setting can consist of interpersonal conflicts with other professionals, workload demands, role conflicts, and dealing with the death of patients (Jordan et al., 2016). Studies have also shown that stress and adverse health outcomes are closely associated, and an alteration of human homeostasis, along with an imbalance in hormones, can occur with prolonged stress. This prolonged stress can also lead to unhealthy eating habits, a sedentary lifestyle, and alcohol use. Physical health impacts can also be created by stress. Muscles in the body that are under constant tension can lead to back, shoulder, and neck pain (Strategies for Managing Nurse Stress in the Workplace: The Ultimate Guide, 2021). Headaches will also be a reoccurring stress symptom. Stress that occurs for long periods can lead to cardiovascular problems, such as hypertension, heart attack, and stroke (Strategies for Managing Nurse Stress in the Workplace: The Ultimate Guide, 2021).
The primary stressor in my life comes from working in the cardiac cath lab. We are responsible for taking call and working long hours. Being married to a pager for 22 years has taken its toll on me. Now, with the added stress of returning to get my degree, I can say that I do not have the healthiest coping skills. Despite having a solid support system with my family, I tend to stress eat. On many workdays, there is no time to sit down and eat lunch, so an unhealthy snack has to get me through till dinner. While I see the light at the end of the tunnel, I can honestly say I need to seek better ways to cope with stress.
I can take practical steps to help cope with stress: eating healthier and exercising. As I mentioned last week in the discussion, nurses must take time for themselves. We give so much time to others that we must take the time to care for our mental and physical health. Allowing myself time to slow down and recharge my mind and body will be vital as I finish my degree and continue to care for my patients in the cath lab.
References
Jordan, T. R., Khubchandani, J., & Wiblishauser, M. (2016). The impact of perceived stress and coping adequacy on the health of nurses: A pilot investigation. Nursing Research and Practice, 2016, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/5843256
Strategies for managing nurse stress in the workplace: the ultimate guide. (2021). Duquesne University school of nursing. https://onlinenursing.duq.edu/blog/managing-nurse-stress/