Jen at NT
Experienced Member
Posts:194
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| 06/16/2008 4:32 PM |
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As a nurse, caring is your profession, but it doesn't end there... you are also a full time spouse, mom, dad, significant other... who takes care of you? Well, let's share some ideas on simple things we can do for ourselves. (Some "ME" time if you will)
I would like to hear from everyone and we can compile a list that can be published as an article on our "LIFE" page.
Even with a hectic schedule, here's a few of my favorite "ME" time-
1. Create a "My time" playlist on my IPOD- all my favorite songs that I can sing along in the shower
2. Take an extra long shower-- or a bath
3. Find something inspirational-- a bible verse, a walk in the park, watching the sunset or the sunrise
Well, share some ideas of some "YOU" time. |
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Melissa
Experienced Member
Posts:146
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| 06/16/2008 11:48 PM |
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Jenny, I must confess I don't have me time except this site. I had nothing prior to that. As a matter of fact I went to work today only to be sent to the hospital myself for a ruptured cyst on my bladder. Of course I have felt guilty all day because this is my first abscence!!! I read the article last week about taking care of ourselves, I guess it just isn't in my nature to care for me. I feel like my wants, needs, aches, and pains are irrelavent. I can always look around and see others in a lot worse shape. Me time is giving what I can to help others. I'll be back at work tomorrow with my residents. Don't worry, I already got the lecture from my mother and Physician. Maybe when you get more input I can find something for "ME". Love your site and input, keep it up. I live for this site.
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Melissa Welch LPN |
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shovelhead
Experienced Member
Posts:141
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| 06/17/2008 1:39 PM |
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| Interesting. We try to take care of others to the detriment of ourselves. Ummm, may I posit, Melissa, that if you can't take care of yourself, how can you take care of others? This of course is the pot calling the kettle black. I try to give myself some me time to slow down. Just did seven 12 hr shifts in the last nine days and trying to sleep for three night shifts starting tonight. So I spent Monday doing a fair but of nothing but resting, AFTER giving myself permission. I'll make up for it later. The seven shifts are a part of my usual rotation, and the nights are the first I have done in ten years (trades I had to make to get holidays). If I didn't give myself permission I probably would have been antsy all day. I knew that it was going to be a long three weeks so I gave myself one day to completely do nothing. Yeah, I know that the sink is full of my dishes from yesterday, but I was willing to deal with that later in order to have "a day of rest". I'm going to try to nap when I finish perusing this site, then get up around 8, mow the lawn, then clean the kitchen before shift at midnight. I like my ME time. |
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Motorcycle racing make heroin look like a vague craving for salt. |
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Melissa
Experienced Member
Posts:146
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| 06/17/2008 2:10 PM |
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Sorry Mr Shovelhead, your ME time doesn't sound any more appealing than mine. I think I do a wonderful job of caring for others though despite my inadequate ways of caring for myself. Honestly I have never met a nurse that was NURSE through and through that did care for themselves or make it a priority. Surely all your hours can't be strictly debt related...you have to love it,right?
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Melissa Welch LPN |
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Jen at NT
Experienced Member
Posts:194
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| 06/17/2008 2:32 PM |
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Sometimes 15 minutes of me time is enough to recharge.. so, even if that 15 minutes is reading a post or an article on nursetogether that "may" inspire you to do something good for yourself.. do it. One thing I am advocating here is that doing something for yourself pays out dividends to those you care for...
I like that, Mr. Shovelheadwolf (BTW, another Harley enthusiast informed me about your moniker! We're impressed!) -- "give yourself permission to do nothing". And you actually have to say it out loud sometimes to make sure it sinks in. We will add that to the list! Melissa, this one speaks directly to YOU. |
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Melissa
Experienced Member
Posts:146
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| 06/19/2008 3:24 AM |
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That is what I did for my "ME" time tonight. I played with my computer till I figured out how to post a photo. Yep, I live in the stone ages, just learning all this new technology that is almost ancient.
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Melissa Welch LPN |
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gus
Junior Member
Posts:39
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| 06/23/2008 10:45 PM |
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| I enjoy my "me time" by going to a newly constructed bridge. there are still few people and vehicles passing by and the breeze of air is very soothing. Especially, when I am in distress from work I usually take time for myself and at the end I start to smile and enjoy the rest of the day. |
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momoffive
Active Member
Posts:92
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| 06/29/2008 10:00 AM |
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To give myself me time, I like to read a book. Often, it is just a few pages before the kids need something or want "one-on-one" time with me. I am really a mom of five daughters. Luckily for me, my daughters are getting older now, my husband spends time either working in his garage or watching TV, so I have more time for me. I also take online classes to get my BSN which I consider me time also. I know it still involves nursing, but I enjoy the classes and learning very much.
Melissa,
I am also one of those who went 7 yrs without missing work. Then when I did miss a day, it was because my 7 yr old was in the hospital overnight!
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Deb |
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shovelhead
Experienced Member
Posts:141
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| 07/08/2008 10:00 PM |
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| Me time... Going to the track next weekend to do a little racing. |
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Motorcycle racing make heroin look like a vague craving for salt. |
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Melissa
Experienced Member
Posts:146
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| 07/09/2008 3:55 AM |
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Be safe, we wouldn't want you to become a patient? Just kidding! I am planning a small "Me Time" vacation myself.
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Melissa Welch LPN |
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shovelhead
Experienced Member
Posts:141
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| 07/22/2008 1:16 PM |
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| I survived... Now I want to take a 4-5 day trip with my tent to lower BC to do some twisty riding. Don't really feel like taking anyone... just want to be able to do my own thing and not have to worry about anyone else. I guess that constitutes me taking care of me. |
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Motorcycle racing make heroin look like a vague craving for salt. |
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Advisor
Experienced Member
Posts:141
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| 07/22/2008 3:39 PM |
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Great "me" time posts. For me, after a long day of tending to responsibilities both at work and at home, on a day off, I have been known to turn off the phones, brew myself a cup of tea and read from dusk till dawn. - Yes, I know this is a luxury in today's world, much less in the nursing industry.
I must admit, this doesn't happen as often anymore, but when I get a chance to do this, I am invigorated to face the challenge of the day. |
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Melissa
Experienced Member
Posts:146
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| 07/24/2008 4:40 AM |
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Mr. Shovelhead, I saw this and thought it suited you for your methods of taking care of yourself.
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Melissa Welch LPN |
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shovelhead
Experienced Member
Posts:141
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| 07/28/2008 3:46 AM |
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| That absolutely, TOTALLY ROCKS!!!! |
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Motorcycle racing make heroin look like a vague craving for salt. |
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zylve
New Member
Posts:8
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| 11/05/2009 4:49 AM |
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During off duty, It's a time to take rest all day long, a time to do nothing,mentally, physically.Forget about our patients and thinking about ourselves.During duty hours, our mind is occupied with "patient first" before ourselves. |
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been there
New Member
Posts:6
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| 11/06/2009 2:59 PM |
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| That is a good question....the answer is NO ONE! Today I was off...spent the whole day cleaning....wish I worked out...but did not....wish I went looking in stores...did not. Guess it is my own fault. Started to take a walk...but did not. Now..it is time to go pick the children up from school....will have loads of homework to help with, supper to cook, and whatever They need me for...I am here. It is the call-light no one can see......I need to re-think some things...Thank You! |
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Wendy Ann
New Member
Posts:3
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| 11/10/2009 12:23 AM |
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| I always put my needs on the back burner--everything else came before me. My patients , friends but I learnt from my clinical supervisor life. She was wedded to her work, came in all hours, worked overtime--not for the money but actually for the company and the feeling of being needed.Its a great feeling to be needed but the story does not end well. One day she got sick so sick that it would take her proably 4-6 months to recover and come to her former self --but guess what folks--the dedication of 20 yrs service was not appreciated, she was told that she could not come back to the unit where she last worked--her job was no longer available. The blow came at a crucial time and she is no longer with us.Unless we learn to take care of ourselves first we cannot take care of others. I work only 3 day a week--nothing more. I have paid my dues to my job, I then pay my dues to my parents, children, husband and siblings. however I keep one whole day for me I get up late on my day offs, take time to read a newspaper,have a nice ot soak in the tub, watch a comedy, talk to my friends, go out for a girls night once every month and find beauty in the gorgeous nature around us.Going back to my clinical supervisors story--I was so shaken with the callous treatment meted out to her that I actually resigned my job.I am happier, make less money however my blood pressure is back to normal without medication and I have never been happier. My advice to all fellow nurses--take time to smell the roses, take time to look after yourselves, you are the most precious person ever--there will be nobody quite like you ever again. Take care friends I hope someone somewhere reading this story will realise that they are precious, more precious than silver or gold or fine jewels. and please please take care of yourselves first. |
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Marionlpn
Junior Member
Posts:11
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| 02/24/2010 8:05 PM |
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I went into nursing because I loved taking care of people. That is all I did. I took care of my patients, took care of my family and friends and pretty much ignored my own health. I have been in pretty good health until the last 2 years. I have developed bells palsy, and now I have severe carpal tunnel, which I need surgery for. I very seldom took off from work other than vacations so being sick has been very hard to get used to. I don't like asking for help and I get very frustrated with myself when I'm unable to do things. I am learning slowly but surely to take my time and take some me time, but its not easy. |
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Flo
New Member
Posts:1
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| 04/07/2010 10:28 PM |
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| Jesus is my caregiver/boss. |
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Advisor
Experienced Member
Posts:141
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| 04/12/2010 12:11 AM |
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As natural caregivers, it is very hard to switch off the role to focus on yourself. I know, because I fall in the same category too. It is hard not to feel guilty when I do something for myself, but everyone.. it is a MUST. If you are like me, (call it the Catholic guilt, but it seems like every religious persuasion have something similar) Or, maybe it is a common denominator of nurses!  At any rate, start small. The gesture, even small can do wonders to replenish yourself.. It can be as "selfish" as getting a pedicure.
Zylve, I have been known to do the same thing.. do nothing. It is the simplest thing, but it can also be the hardest feat. Do you ever try to just stop doing? LOL! But, a few hours of just giving yourself time to relax can truly do wonders for your outlook and energizes you to be there for others. Give it a whirl. |
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