NYS Nurses Association

Nurses Week 2008

Guided Relaxation | Sharing self-care tips | Pamper yourself for a year

Image: Celebrating Nurses Week 2008Nurse, care for yourself!

Nursing has always been demanding, but chronic problems such as inadequate staffing, too much mandatory overtime, and the increased acuity of patients has only added to the pressure. In recognition of Nurses Week, the New York State Nurses Association is offering its members several ways to reduce stress in their professional and personal lives.

Guided Relaxation for Nurses

Download our 15-minute podcast, which is designed to help you release tension from your muscles and clear your mind of stress-creating thoughts. Listen to the podcast on your mp3 player or personal computer as often as you want. Just don’t listen while driving! Music by Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius & Heard, from "Watermusic" (2007).

Download instructions: using your mouse, right click on the red linked text above. Internet Explorer users will see a "Save Target As" option; Firefox and Netscape users option is "Save Link As". Click on one of these options to save the file to your computer. You may then download the file onto your .mp3 player. NYSNA podcasts will also be available on iTunes.

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Sharing self-care tips

Many nurses have developed their own strategies for dealing with difficult situations and stress. We asked RNs how they take care of themselves amidst these daily challenges. Their responses covered the spectrum of self-care from fun indulgences to maintaining physical health to fostering spiritual connections. All of them can make being a nurse a bit more rewarding. Happy Nurses Week!

If you’d like to add your own, send an e-mail using the link below, along with your name and hometown. Your contribution should be posted within 24 hours.

I call it water therapy: At home, I soak my feet or body in the tub and place a warm cloth over my eyes. At work, it can be something as simple as running warm water over my hands for a few minutes, then applying hand lotion. – M. Gorete Crowe

Don’t deprive yourself of quality sleep. I have fibromyalgia and I schedule four-hour naps into my routine whenever I can. – Patti Buckwalter

I schedule medical screenings yearly – gynecological, mammogram, anything that is age-recommended. – Anonymous RN

I remember why I became a nurse and know that I can make a difference. Then I go shopping! – Deb A. Austin

I love spending time with my children – even though they are all on their own (the youngest is 23). I also attend Curves 3-5 days a week. I feel better when I exercise, plus it provides an opportunity to socialize. – Gaen Hooley

Image: NYS Nurses Association More self-care tips

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Image: The Body Shop®Pamper yourself for a year

NYSNA members, please check the May 2008 issue of New York Nurse for a coupon entitling you to a free one-year “Love Your Body” membership providing discounts and free offers from The Body Shop® stores or online. Be sure to redeem your coupon by July 4, 2008. If you don't receive your May 2008 issue by May 31, please contact the Communications Department at 800.724.6976, ext. 275 or by e-mail.

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