If your loved one is in the hospital, pLeAsE listen to me (this is my absolute #1 advice)

Please take your breaks!!!! (At 4:51 i start feeling like when uncle iroh finally lost it w zuko, if u know the scene im referencing ily LMAOOO) You wouldnt want a nurse who never takes breaks to take care of your loved one right? So why would I want a visitor who never takes breaks to be near my patient??? I have seen it happen. Visitors who push themselves too much to be right by their loved ones side. Well intended but the toll made them break and the exhaustion, guilt, frustration, and sometimes anger projected onto their loved one Now your loved one aka MY PATIENT is at dangerously high blood pressure and heart rate and now we the healthcare staff are working to medically stabilize them all because you didn't recognize in time that you needed a break and should've taken them before you accidentally harm your loved one from your bottled up feelings I remember even telling a family member I need them to leave because their presence was becoming a medical concern for my patient. All could have been avoided if that family recognized before they reach their energy limit and made sure they take the breaks that they not only deserve but NEED. The patient (and I as the nurse) needs family members to take breaks too I promise you. Disclaimer 1/1: -when i say "vacation" i would NOT recommend going somewhere far because if your loved one suddenly takes a turn for the worse, wed like you nearby to see them asap just in case its your last chance. But that's pretty rare that we need family or friends to come ASAP. -my recommendation is local vacation like "staycations", maybe pick out a nice hotel or cute airbnb for yourself in reasonable distance of the hospital and enjoy taking a break from cleaning and cooking + fresh change in indoor scenery because youre going through a lot too. Remember that. Disclaimer 2/2: -this advice is NOT to discourage anyone from staying by their loved ones side. I absolutely love and appreciate everyone willing to help my patients journeys easier and the presence of a loved one is unmatched. -this advice is more to say, you as the patients visitor are a human too with your own physical and mental needs. Your needs as a human do not simply go away just because your loved one is sicker than you. Its a balancing game, its an adjustment act, its continuously checking in with yourself whether youre in your green, yellow, or red zone for energy level and handling it appropriately so you dont become a patient yourself (yes, ive had visitors faint) + so you leave enough in your energy tank for the unpredictable times your loved one will need you the most.