Easy Does It!

Between home responsibilities and working in a demanding and serious profession like nursing, many of us are stretched thin.  We find ourselves spending our days frustrated, angry and tense as a result. When you are stressed at home, that tension carries over to your job – and vice versa, which is not good for your health. To actually succeed in both areas, it is vital to ask for help.

Laundry. Dinner. Lunches. Cleaning. Paying bills. Maintaining vehicles. Checking homework. Making appointments. Commuting. We are expected to handle all of this while dealing with equally stressful circumstances at work, during long shifts – many times on our feet.

Help is out there – and in many ways it’s closer than you think:

Spouse – Get your husband (or wife) off the couch, away from the computer or out of the garage and get him to pick up a mop. It will cut back on your daily tasks and help your relationship infinitely.

Kids – Children are often an untapped resource. Having them help at home will benefit them as well – teaching responsibility, humility and appreciation. Get them to turn off TV, computer and cell phones.

Family – Just as you extend yourself to help family, be sure you ask them to return the favor. Trade services and assist with one another’s lives. 

Hire Help –Hiring someone to help with housework may seem like an extreme luxury. If you do the math, most often you’ll see it is affordable and the price is certainly worth it. If money is a concern, think of ways you can cut back in other areas to finance the expense.

There are lots of other ways to get help.  You just need to be creative. I've heard of friends getting together and swapping work parties at each others' houses.  Automating tasks like bill paying can be time savers as well.  If you are open to change, you can create a little time here and a little time there, and it will all add up to a significant amount.