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| 6 Great Tips To Deal With Nursing Anxiety In The New Normal |
Some recent studies conducted on
the frontline healthcare workers that have dealt with COVID-19 in China showed
50.4% had symptoms of depression and 44.6%
had symptoms of anxiety. These studies also concluded that healthcare
workers directly involved in treating COVID-19 patients are at a higher risk of
developing depression and anxiety.
The study also found that nurses
presented the more severe symptoms of these mental health conditions. This
pandemic has caused a lot of mental distress to our healthcare workers and
nursing anxiety is a real problem, every day but especially now. Keep reading
to learn some of our tips for dealing with anxiety in this new normal.
Table of Contents
1. Know Yourself
Being a nurse in the time of
coronavirus has proven to be particularly anxiety-inducing. The normal day to
day chaos has been replaced with something most of us haven’t had to deal with
before.
If you are starting your career
in this pandemic, new nurse anxiety can definitely be happening to you. It’s a
scary time but dealing with these anxieties will help keep you stable and
perform efficiently to help those most vulnerable.
One of the best and simplest ways
to deal with anxiety as a nurse is to just know yourself so that you can
understand what you’re going through and then take the appropriate steps to
help yourself.
While it might seem silly at
first, checking in with yourself can actually be a great way to deal with the
anxiety being a nurse in today’s world entails. This allows you to center yourself
and become more present in each moment. Stop and ask yourself how you’re
feeling and what you need and try to adjust based on your answers.
2. Get Counseling If Necessary
If you’re a relatively new nurse
feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay to get some help. Not even nurses with years of
experience were prepared for a COVID-19 world and it’s okay to admit that it’s
hard on you.
Seeking out counseling will help
you deal with the emotions of what you’re witnessing every day. There are many
great resources out there for healthcare workers as well as ways to connect
with counselors online.
Seeking help with peers and
support groups is also a great resource. Your fellow nurses know exactly what
you’re going through and being there to support one another will make you feel
less alone and will help all of you through this tough time.
3. Stay Close To Loved Ones
We all want to show our nurses
how much we love and appreciate them. Whether you’re a nurse practitioner,
pediatric nurse, or another type of nurse, this
article will show you how much we care about our nurses.
Feeling that love and connection
is another way to deal with nursing anxiety during this horrible pandemic.
Isolation can add to feelings of anxiety and while you can’t physically visit
friends and family, many people have been finding creative ways to connect with
their loved ones during the quarantine.
Make a plan to call your friends
and family at least once a week. Set up video cocktail hours after a long day
of work, make sure you’re taking some time to enjoy life. This is essential for
being able to get back to work to help your patients.
4. Find Activities That Will Help
You Feel Better
While you might want to go home
and eat junk food during your days off, this isn’t an effective way to deal
with your anxiety as a nurse. Try practicing some activities that will be good
for your mind and soul. You could do some yoga or meditation at home, cook a
new recipe, or even just watch an old movie you love.
These activities will help you
feel relaxed and recharged for the hard days ahead. This process of recharging
yourself will help you be better prepared to take on the hard work of taking
care of the most vulnerable patients.
5. Take Care Of Your Body And Mind
Nursing school might not have
prepared you for the pandemic we’re currently living through but if there’s one
thing nurses know it’s the importance of staying healthy. Continuing to
exercise, eating healthy meals, and trying to sleep an adequate amount of hours
is crucial to staying alert and energized during those long shifts.
Aside from what we’ve already
mentioned above, there are plenty of more ways to practice self-care. Try to
practice some deep breathing for those moments in which you feel most anxious.
Deep breathing is proven to help calm anxiety and there are many apps available
for you to try with.
Another technique of self-care
that can help with your anxiety is grounding. Grounding helps you stay present
and not worry about the past or the future. This technique asks you to use your
five senses to notice all the things around you.
6. Do Some Journaling
Being a nurse during this
pandemic can cause a lot of added anxiety. Finding ways to cope is essential to
being able to do this necessary work.
Another way for dealing with this
anxiety is to do some journaling. Journaling is a great form of stress relief,
letting out all of your worries and frustrations onto paper can help you feel
free. Try to write a little each day as a way to express how you’re feeling
about everything you’re going through and the anxiety will start to ease away.
How To Deal With Nursing Anxiety
Nursing anxiety is a real issue
many nurses face, especially during these chaotic times. We’ve compiled a list
of some of the best tips to help you deal with these anxieties and be better
prepared to help your patients. Make sure to check out some of our other blogs
for more tips.
