Pre-shift rituals for midwives & nurses
I am sure that we can all resonate with that feeling of nervousness and anxiety that sometimes arises pre-shift, especially if we are feeling tired, low on energy or have had a new challenges shifts in the lead up to returning to the hospital.
I’m not sure if anyone is immune to this, especially if you’re tired… tiredness seems to bring all kinds of feelings to the surface.
So this afternoon I’m going to share some simple things that I have started doing prior to heading into a shift if I feel that my energy or nervous system is a little bit scattered or in overdrive.
Shift the energy
When we sit with this nervous anxious energy it can trigger a fight or flight response, heart racing, palms sweaty, mind having a field day. To shift this energy and the hormones that are being released as a result some things that we can do might include:
1. Dancing; shaking out that nervousness, releasing endorphins, literally moving that stagnant or heavy energy from our body.
2. Jumping in the shower with some essential oils or incense burning, blasting some tunes that you know make you feel good.
3. Focusing on your breathing; in through the nose and out through to nose, using the diaphragm to breathe, triggering the parasympathetic nervous system.
4. Listen to a meditation that encourages you to utilise instant relaxation techniques like single pointed focus, progressive relaxation or body scan.
5. Remember why you are in your profession in the first place, sit with yourself for a few moments, hand on your heart, focusing on your breath and set your intention for your shift, either in your head or out loud.
6. Utilise essential oils or incense to engage your limbic system and bring you back into your body. Oils that I love for nervousness or anxiety include lavender, peppermint, orange, frankincense, bergamot or sandalwood.
7. Free writing; write about the nervousness that you’re feeling so to better understand and acknowledge why it is there. You may be feeling it intensely because you haven’t yet had the space to debrief yourself about an event or situation you’ve encountered. Write until you feel some lightness and a shift in energy.
