Stress Management

With several graduates prepping for their board exams (Congrats Addie!) and others starting a new job search, I thought it was a good time to talk about stress management.   In recent conversations, I found myself continuously reminding the students and the travelers that I work with to slow down and take a breather.  Usually this piece of wisdom was greeted with a chuckle and “I know, Sunny”.

People tend to push harder when facing a challenge.  This is great but frequently, we forget that taking little breaks help the body AND the brain to recuperate.  Constantly spending your energy on studying or thinking about the job only zaps your body’s energy resources and in turn, you become more tired.  Consequently, you will find that it’s harder to shut your mind off when trying to sleep, therefore adding to the fatigue.  To keep you both mentally and physically healthy, here are a few tips:

• Power Naps— Taking a nap for about 20 minutes can do a world of good.  Make sure to not consume caffeinated beverages or sugars at least a couple of hours prior to when you plan to nap. 
• 60-second Vacations— Birds chirping, burbling water from a nearby waterfall, a gentle breeze and the smell of morning dew…  Now I’m refreshed!  Using visualization to momentarily get away is an easy and effective way to relax.  Use a timer to set your 1 minute and begin to visualize where you want to be.  Breathe deeply and slowly, letting yourself become immersed in the meditation.   The more you do this, the easier it will be to slip in to your little getaway.
• Exercise—Being active allows you and your body to unwind by burning off negative energy from stress or frustration.  Regular exercise helps you to relax and will increase your endorphins thus elevating your overall mood.
• Music—Take 30 minutes to listen to your favorite songs.  Dance your heart out or pick an easy groove to allow yourself some time to chill.  
• Eat Healthy— Restoring your body’s nutrients are important so make sure to eat plenty of lean proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains.  Eating six small meals a day is the best way to keep your energy up and to make sure you stay in tip top form. 
• Games—Invite friends over and play a board game or relive your childhood and go to the playground.  Being able to laugh is one of the best ways to instantly relieve stress.   

No matter what is causing added stress in your life, remember to relax, breathe, and enjoy a moment all to yourself.  You’ll be happy with the results!

Sun Hui (Sunny) Snook graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Truman State University and received a Master’s in Human Services from Bellevue University. She has been in the healthcare staffing field for 11 years, first working with nurses before moving to a nationwide work strategies consultant where her key responsibilities were to coach staffers and hospital managers on effective staffing. In 2009, Sunny started with Aureus Medical as an Account Manager in the Rehab Therapy division, working with both clients and prospective employees. Most recently, she moved to Student Outreach Coordinator. Prior to working in healthcare staffing, she served as an addictions therapist and residential treatment coordinator for five years.

Sunny Snook / 800.456.5857 ext 6578 / ssnook@aureusmedical.com / Facebook / LinkedIn