Let’s face it: the nursing student life is stressful. Nursing school is rigorous, and when you have to balance it with personal life, it can be a lot to handle!
The good news is that not only are you not alone, but there are a ton of healthy coping mechanisms that you can use to reduce the amount of day-to-day stress that you endure as a nursing student. Below are some tips we’ve found to be helpful in coping with stress while in nursing school.
It’s okay to be selfish
Self-care is one of the most important things to pay attention to when coping with stress. If your body and brain aren’t being cared for, academic success will be much harder to achieve.
Self-care can be anything from putting on a face mask after a long day of studying to replacing an evening study session with a workout or bath.
Create a routine
Balancing all of the things to-do in your personal life and nursing school can be difficult, but staying organized can help you to fit it all in. Making a schedule of tasks, goals, and appointments is a great way to have a view of what each week holds.
Related read: How to balance day to day tasks and keep organized
Spend time with friends and family
It can be easy to be consumed by the weekly tasks and assignments nursing school entails, but you can find amazing support from the people who love you most. It’s important to communicate to your friends and family about your progress, stress, and needs.
Set yourself a goal this week to connect with a friend or family member you haven’t talked to in a while. It doesn’t have to be a long commitment – just a quick chat can do wonders for your mental health!
Journal before bed
If you prefer to spend more quality time with yourself, journaling is a great. Not only can journaling provide comfort after a long day, but it can often help you see your challenges and emotions from a different perspective when reflecting back on old entries.
There are many other ways to cope with stress, but the recommendations above can help you get started. And remember: you are not alone! Your instructors and fellow nursing students have been in your shoes and are here to help you manage the stress of nursing school.