Cannot Quit Thinking About Work

[Lifeisabeach09]

Posting in AIBU for traffic mainly.

I work in healthcare so work 13 hour shifts 3-4 days per week. I find myself, either after a shift, or the night before not being able to turn my mind off from work. This also occurs when I've had several days off.
These thoughts usually consist of the shift (the routine) in general or various scenarios from the shift, about the staff and patients.

I, even, dream about being at work--more like a memory rather than an unrealistic dream. I dream about the patients and providing care as if I am still at work. Nothing fantastical about these dreams!

I cannot switch off and it's driving me nuts!

I'm sure other people experience this-what is it and how do you manage it?

TIA.

[DonnaDarko]

It sounds like your stressed, so I would definitely recommend trying some relaxation techniques. I use yoga. Since I started practicing regularly, I've found I think less about work and, in general, the world pisses me off less lol

[DroningOn]

Im lucky enough to be able to walk home from work and in the 30 mins or so it takes I decompress from the pressure's of the day and transition from work mode to home mode.

I used to drive home and found that I was still very much in work mode for far to much of the evening, often affecting my sleep.

The fresh air, exercise and thinking time makes a huge difference to me.

[happinessischocolate]

I sympathise OP, I've been doing the same since starting a new job 4 months ago, I should claim overtime for the amount of time I spend thinking about work.

I try and dream about nice things like a holiday or even just lying in a beach but nope, I wake up with all these work scenarios in my head.

I will have to try some yoga as PP suggested.

[Lifeisabeach09]

It's very frustrating.
I can't believe I have such mundane dreams of being at work. They aren't even exciting!!! I can't even use sleep to escape into some amazing fantasy! Haha.
I, definitely, need to do more exercise and I enjoy yoga.
Thanks for the tips.

[Hoopaloop]

Keep a notepad by your bed so that if you inadvertently think of stuff, you can write it down so you can remember it the next day, rather than dwell on it while you're trying to sleep.