This nurse can – with evidence !

(Lots of useful links shared – please just click away)

Today was really hard.

Today I was feeling tired.

Today I was feeling stressed.

Today I was feeling anxious.

Today I had too much to do.

Today I had too much on my mind.

It’s days like today that I almost forget everything I know.

The evidence, the research, the personal experience.

I know that getting out in the fresh air will help me to let go of all that stress.

I know that some exercise will help me to manage my stress and boost my self esteem.

I know that getting up and out will help me to organise my thoughts and clear my head.

I know that long term it will help me to be healthier in my heart, my body and my head. 

I know all of this – I am a nurse … it’s my job to know this …yet my tired brain wills me to stay in and curl up.

The first step is the hardest.

Putting on my trainers, stepping out of that door. 

But I turn up my head phones and put one foot in front of the other in time to the music.

I hate the first kilometre.

I dislike the second kilometre but start to think about the cake I had yesterday.

By kilometre three I am thinking less about the things that worry me and more about premature deafness due to the loud music in my ears.

Kilometre four and I become determined to do this, I feel happy and healthy, this is for me.

Kilometre five and I forget everything that made me want to stay in.

Five kilometres, 37 minutes. I’m not fast, I’m no athlete, I’m just a nurse using everything I know and every unwavering bone in my body to stay happy and healthy.

And so I sit here. Recovered. Glad I took the time.

Today was hard .. but I did it … this nurse can 🙂