Staff Room: Feeling Stuck on the Stress Roundabout?

Working in healthcare often means you don’t really get a break,  and while we might have the best intentions to look after ourselves, it’s not always possible when you’re mid-shift, mid-task, mid-chaos.

Inspired by Dr Emma Hepburn’s illustration Routes off the Stress Roundabout, Antonia chatted to some of her NHS co-workers about their favourite ways to de-stress,  both on and off duty.

On Duty: Copious amounts of tea

Off Duty: Getting fresh air and going for a run

On Duty: Poo jokes

Off Duty: Terrible TV, Olivia Attwood: Filthy Rich is my guilty pleasure

On Duty: Voice notes to my sister in the US, we call them the BMT Diaries (B*tch, Moan, Tea)

Off Duty: Brushing my hair. I got a lovely brush for my birthday and just sit for 5 mins. It helps.

There’s no one-size-fits-all route off the roundabout,  sometimes it’s movement, sometimes it’s rest, sometimes it’s trash telly and a laugh. Whatever helps you feel human again, it counts.

You can download Dr Emma’s illustration in our Staff Room – stick it in the staff room, your locker, or just your camera roll as a reminder: you can take an exit when you need to.

Dr Emma Hepburn is an NHS Clinical Psychologist, an illustrator, an author and a lecturer. She has amassed a huge following for her account @thePsychologyMum for her illustrations and advice on mental health