As a nurse, you can work a shift for twelve hours and barely get to eat or go to the bathroom. We work in some cases until we are burned out, have bad backs, or other health problems. Stress can lead to other co-morbidities such high blood pressure, problems with sleep, and mental health issues. (Templeton, 2015). This is just a few examples of how stress can play advocate on the body. Stress has affected me personally throughout the years in different ways. I have learned how to cope with stress by new, positive coping mechanisms. My coping mechanism was always food. I would take care of everyone all day. (patients, family, and friends) When I would have a few minutes to myself to destress, I would be com​‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍​forted by food. This is a habit I had for many years and in the past five years I have worked on changing this habit. I have dealt with depression and anxiety my whole life and finally feel like it does not control me anymore. The best way I have learned to deal with stress is to love myself more by taking care of my needs. I have incorporated counseling twice a month for the past five years. I have improved and added coping mechanisms like exercise, prayer, and deep breathing into my life. I work forty hours a week, have family and friends, school, and my fun. I can be present to enjoy all of this. So many of us are very functional, but in private have our own battles. Probably the one thing I need to work on is saying no. I am doing better, but I tend to take to much on which is stress producing. I am a work in progress. Some days I take two steps back, but I am still miles ahead. References Templeton, D. (2015, Feb 27). Hospital treats nursing stress with ‘mindfulness’ workshops. TCA News Service https://aspenuniversity.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/wire-feeds/hospital-treats-nursing-stress-with-mindfulness/docview/1658780728/se-2?accountid=34574 Walker, R. J., Emma, G., Campbell, J. A., & Egede, L. E. (2020). The influence of daily stress on glycemic control and mortality in adults with diabetes. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 43(5), 723-731. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10865-019-00109-​‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍​1