How many times have your non-nursing friends ever told you to "give it a rest"? Your reply is that you have to study because your whole life depends on it!

You have to study so that you can graduate from nursing school, and then you have to study some more to pass your NCLEX.

Let's acknowledge that graduating and passing the NCLEX are every nursing student's goals. And, of course, you can't work as a licensed professional nurse unless you first pass the NCLEX. But, let me take this opportunity to remind you of the importance of play... as a pause from your usual routine.

Take a break... will you?

Failing to take a breather can lead to negative health consequences. It may not only make you cranky (I'm speaking from experience here), but it can also deprive you of the time to process and absorb what you are learning.

So many student write to me, telling me that they do nothing but study all day long in preparation for NCLEX. I always respond that they need to schedule some time to go do something fun.

When I wrote my first blog, I told you that one of my favorite activities is to go out and do things with friends. Since I work all day, we usually get together for dinner. It's never anything fancy because we all have to watch our pennies. And since we are all so busy, we find that it is easier just to schedule time to meet.

Laughter and friends are the best medicine

If you asked me what I like best about getting together with friends, I would probably have to say it's the laughter. Not that I need proof of the benefits of laughter, but there's a whole lot of work out there about the positive effects of laughing.

Here are some of the potential health benefits:

• Increased blood flow - Delivers many health benefits including more oxygen to your brain!
• Increased immune response - Translates into less worries about picking up pesky colds and flu viruses that make it really difficult to study and/or work.
• Increased ability to relax and sleep - Adds up to better concentration and improved retention of information.

In fact, I've read that a group of friends who eat a meal and then attend a comedy show together have lower than anticipated blood sugar levels. Why? Presumably because they were laughing!

Unfortunately, this doesn't justify ordering a double-chocolate cheesecake for dessert, although an occasional infusion of chocolate can do wonders for the soul!

Let the bonding begin...

I could easily sit and watch Patch Adams all by myself (hilarious and moving all in one), but it wouldn't be nearly as much fun as watching it with another person. I'm sure that the health benefits of laughter are multiplied when we're with friends and family and laughing.

I don't think we can ever overstate the importance of bonding with others, for exploring interests and relaxing. So when your friends call and tell you to give it a rest, maybe you should do just that...with them!

Realizing that you need to take a break from your everyday routine is an important life skill. Finding a balance in life can make you a better student, and, eventually, a better nurse.

Now it's your turn!

What movies do you watch when you need a good laugh?

I recommend:

Patch Adams (the movie). Read more about the real Patch Adams and his Gesundheit! Institute.