Nurses. How are you managing the exhaustion?

[Doublefaced]

Cos there ain’t no exhaustion like this exhaustion

I am literally working, sleeping ( badly) working and repeating.
Normally if I feel a but down or a bit run down I can push myself to do a bit more exercise but I literally can’t get my legs to work when I’m off duty.
I know it’s not physical because when I’m at work I can go 12 hours at full throttle.

How the hell are other people managing-it’s a pretty common theme in my team so we’re not really much use to each other in terms of advice! My diet is probably crap. My skin is awful and my house is a bit grubby ( I don’t even get stressed about the housework any more )

Not a nurse but used to work for emergency services
Basics I guess, it's not a normal situation so it's firefighting rather than optimal. Sorry if you've thought of all this!
Multivitamin and if you can get a greens powder down you or vitamin that has both (gets some fruit/veg in you!)
Calm app for sleep might help, magnesium flakes in a bath, sleep spray, keep your feet warm night nurse liquid
Don't try to push through and exercise, just rest but if you feel you can then do what you can
Loads of fluids (when not working!) not all coffee
Keep food simple, make sure you're getting some variety and protein
Skin is probably diet/exhaustion/stress so you can do all the cleansing/moisturising but possibly won't help. Is it spots or dry or... I might be able to help with skincare!
Ignore the house, it won't fall down. Surfaces cleaned, bathrooms and if you can then floors
Prioritise sleep and food and take any spare time to do something you enjoy even if it's mindlessly watching YouTube, so you get to zone out a bit

Not a nurse but I think I have aged 12 years in the last 12 months

Working hard is one thing. But not being able to do the things that I would normally do to relax, rest and destress when off work is the major problem for me right now

I work 12.5 hour shifts and try to stay hydrated, I drink gallons of fruit tea at work, and eat lots of fruit. I also make sure that I take the breaks I am entitled to and make sure the people working alongside me do as well. On my days off, I just collapse in a heap in front of Netflix, I am shattered. I'm hoping the pace slows down soon so I can get my work-life balance back.

It’s awful, I don’t think I have ever felt so tired or overwhelmed in all my career!

We have just had an outbreak on my ward and I have had 1 day off in the last 11 days, I am on my knees. Couldn’t sleep last week, kept crying which is not like me, just overwhelming stress and anxiety.

I look like shit and feel like shit, don’t sleep well, don’t eat well, don’t exercise because of crap knees and worries about being around other people; don’t want to pass it on if I am incubating it or get it from people not socially distancing.

I do crochet which saves my sanity but god, I’ve had enough.....

Sorry, no advice, just took the opportunity for a moan😩

💐

I'm not a nurse but I understand what you mean about legs not working on your day off! I work in an SEN school 3 days a week and then with my elderly parents 1 day. Today I was at home and planned to blitz the house and encourage my teens with their online learning as have been neglecting them. I sat on the sofa eating choc and binge watched Bridgerton .

I think it's a combination of extra stress in every task at work these days. We are all tetchy and on edge. It must be 100 times worse in your role so give yourself slack on your day off. You bloody deserve it!

I'm a nurse. Not on covid wards but with covid dubious status, chaotic and vulnerable patients who absolutely do not care about mixing of households, they are usually 'exempt' from mask wearing, can kick off and spit indiscriminately, can't/won't socially distance and generally are challenges to society in the good times. I have no control over how often or when they access my service. I live on my nerves most days. I'm drained a year in. We are the 'hidden heroes' as we are not news worthy but we are very much at risk and can't refuse to see our patients.

I can't imagine what you are all going through. Know that there are millions of us thanking God for every inch of your wonderfulness.

We are thinking of you and rooting for you and wishing you all stay safe.

You are our heroes

XXXXX

I was just talking to my ex-nurse mum about this.

I work with young adults with Autism and they are finding this whole ordeal incredibly hard, the lack of usual routine, the uncertainty etc. So we are dealing with a massive spike in behaviours. We are constantly on high alert to try to divert/manage the next incident. We are exhausted and days off are spent on the sofa, where our bodies can rest (but it’s a different matter trying to rest our minds, impossible!)

@raffle

I work with young adults with Autism and they are finding this whole ordeal incredibly hard, the lack of usual routine, the uncertainty etc. So we are dealing with a massive spike in behaviours. We are constantly on high alert to try to divert/manage the next incident. We are exhausted and days off are spent on the sofa, where our bodies can rest (but it’s a different matter trying to rest our minds, impossible!)

I have three jobs. One of them works with your client group. It's hard work for us to keep them on track. Hats off to you doing it full time though. Keep on keeping on. All of us helping the sick, the rest the vulnerable are all heroes in our own little way

Absolutely. Thank you isn't enough and words are hollow but I am really grateful to everyone keeping this country ticking over

My best and oldest friend is a nurse. She isn't managing. She's just returned to work after several weeks off due to recurrent tonsillitis (3 episodes in a matter of weeks) high blood pressure, cellulitis and general exhaustion. She's literally working herself to her knees. I worry about her and her young family. Then you listen to the news and people are still having house parties. People who will still expect to be treated by the NHS if they get covid.

@MaelyssQ

I work 12.5 hour shifts and try to stay hydrated, I drink gallons of fruit tea at work, and eat lots of fruit. I also make sure that I take the breaks I am entitled to and make sure the people working alongside me do as well. On my days off, I just collapse in a heap in front of Netflix, I am shattered. I'm hoping the pace slows down soon so I can get my work-life balance back.

Adequate hydration is my nemesis! Don’t drink=don’t need to pee I try and make up for it at home!

@CosmicComfort

It’s awful, I don’t think I have ever felt so tired or overwhelmed in all my career!

We have just had an outbreak on my ward and I have had 1 day off in the last 11 days, I am on my knees. Couldn’t sleep last week, kept crying which is not like me, just overwhelming stress and anxiety.

I look like shit and feel like shit, don’t sleep well, don’t eat well, don’t exercise because of crap knees and worries about being around other people; don’t want to pass it on if I am incubating it or get it from people not socially distancing.

I do crochet which saves my sanity but god, I’ve had enough.....

Sorry, no advice, just took the opportunity for a moan😩

💐

Gin?

Nurses are incredible. I get lots of sympathy for my extra workload at the moment (primary teacher) but it’s nothing to what you lot are doing, and have been doing over the last year. Be kind to yourselves and fuck the housework for now

Funny you should mention Gin Doublefaced

Last weekend was so awful I couldn’t even have face alcohol! As of today we are tentatively out of our covid isolation period and despite spending more time with covid patients than my own family for over a week, I don’t appear to have any symptoms and all my LFT’s have been negative so Gin it is

Take care everyone💐

Compression socks, a long walk and red wine the night before I have a day off definitely help xxx

@CosmicComfort

Funny you should mention Gin Doublefaced

Last weekend was so awful I couldn’t even have face alcohol! As of today we are tentatively out of our covid isolation period and despite spending more time with covid patients than my own family for over a week, I don’t appear to have any symptoms and all my LFT’s have been negative so Gin it is

Take care everyone💐

Despite all my joking I’m actually steering well clear of the demon booze. Bit wary of using it as a crutch when I’m this knackered

I use meditation apps to help and a diffuser so it smells like I'm in a spa more than red wine

@user1471441632

I use meditation apps to help and a diffuser so it smells like I'm in a spa more than red wine

I need to find one that doesn’t irritate me and any of tried so far set me on edge after a few minutes. Lack of patience is another huge issue at the minute.

A&E nurse here. Try and remain positive and light hearted, seek support, be honest when your struggling, work on my resilience, debrief, reflect, dont read my emails on my day off, adequate rest periods, take annual leave frequently, escalate concerns. Not going to lie this is by far the most difficult time in my 10 year career. All I do is work sleep work with no let down. What id give to be able to work from home for a few weeks to recharge. Unfortunately thats not possible at all and I have a department to run 😴

Doublefaced yes, does require some discipline to manage alcohol intake. I have religiously stuck to weekend drinking only, regardless of my shift pattern which works for me.

My addiction to yarn has not been so controlled and I now have enough to last me at least 5 lifetimes with more coming but less damaging than alcohol.....except to the bank balance and I’m doing a lot of bank shifts so that’s not too bad!

I learned to crochet about 8 years ago from YouTube videos and it has genuinely been my lifeline during covid. I can highly recommend it and it’s much easier to pick up than knitting IMO.

I do like compression socks, bought some a few weeks ago.

Also use audiobooks when I can’t sleep, better than laying there thinking about work and I have headphones in a headband so can lay there and doze off without sore ears.

Am going to try compression socks. Seeing some fantastic funky ones!

I feel terrible reading this thread. Apart from following all the rules I feel helpless in supporting people doing so much on the front line. My role doesn’t enable me to be an NHS volunteer. Is there anything I could donate to my local hospital for the staff? Treats, hand cream, anything as a gesture. I wish I could shoulder more burden.

@addictedtotheflats

A&E nurse here. Try and remain positive and light hearted, seek support, be honest when your struggling, work on my resilience, debrief, reflect, dont read my emails on my day off, adequate rest periods, take annual leave frequently, escalate concerns. Not going to lie this is by far the most difficult time in my 10 year career. All I do is work sleep work with no let down. What id give to be able to work from home for a few weeks to recharge. Unfortunately thats not possible at all and I have a department to run 😴

The email thing is something I need to do. I have also have tended to be in touch with my boss on days off but I think I need to curb that too.