No matter what career you choose, whether a career as a nurse or an electrician, we all know that we need to take care of our health. However, sometimes taking care of our health can be easier said than done.
Many nurses find it extremely difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The job of a regional nurse is mentally and physically exhausting. Nurses are placed under tremendous stress and anxiety on the job, and at times, they compromise themselves to take care of their patients.
Nurses work hard caring for patients, but their commitment to the role can sometimes mean neglecting their own health. The smallest of changes over time can have a big impact on your mental and physical health. The smallest of changes over time can have a big impact on your mental and physical health. However, you can do lots of simple things to stay healthy while working as a nurse. If you are looking for some ways to improve your health and well-being while training or working as a nurse, here are some of our top tips to help you:
Balance Family, Work, and Study Life
Lots of nurses find it difficult to maintain a good work-life balance. While there is never a perfect balance between work, family, and study life, you can do things to make the most of your available time.
One option you could consider is keeping an organized calendar or diary. Your calendar should include things like work commitments, class lessons, study times, and appointments. It would help if you also made time for your family and friends too. This will help to promote overall satisfaction and reduce stress in your life.
Another brilliant tip is to change to a nursing course, such as an MSN FNP. These courses allow you to fit your studies around your other commitments meaning you have more time to take care of yourself.
Hobbies and Passions
Nurses often find it hard to find time in their busy schedules for their hobbies or passions. However, taking time out for these things can help you relax and blow off steam. Your hobbies might include reading, arts, crafts, playing musical instruments, traveling to new places, or playing sports.
Get Enough Sleep
Most nursing students and qualified nurses state that they do not get enough sleep. Not only can this greatly impact their performance at work, but lack of sleep can also increase the risk of health conditions. This means that sleep is essential to our health. Nurses should get a minimum of 7 to 9 hours of sleep each day because of their busy work schedules. Getting enough sleep can reduce your chances of mental and physical distress.
Look After Your Feet
Nurses spend a lot of time on their feet. This can lead to leg swelling, leg fatigue, muscle soreness, and sometimes varicose veins. However, there is a solution to this problem. Compression sleeves and socks offer the perfect amount of pressure to aid muscle recovery and promote good circulation. Nurses can wear compression socks while they are at work. Nurses can wear compression socks while they are at work. Nurses can wear compression socks while they are at work.
Shower After a Shift
While most nurses prefer having a shower before their shift because it wakes them up and gives them the boost they need to get through a long shift, taking a shower after work is a good way to de-stress after a long day. Not only that, but it can also get rid of any microorganisms you may have encountered during the day.
Exercise Regularly
After working a 12-hour shift, exercise might be the last thing you want to do. However, evidence suggests that exercising after a long shift can help you recharge your batteries. And this is not the only benefit of regular exercise. It has also been proven to reduce stress, control weight, and increase energy too.
If a HIT workout is not for you, consider trying yoga, swimming, or walking after your shift. There are lots of options available to you, choose one that you enjoy. If you are still struggling to find the motivation, then ask a friend to exercise with you. This will not only push you to exercise more often, but it is also much more fun too.
Take a Break
Research has shown that nurses who work long hours without taking a break are more likely to become unwell or sustain an injury. One of the best ways to keep yourself healthy while training or working as a nurse is to take a few short breaks during your shift.
Eat Before Work
Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. Research suggests that adults who eat breakfast have increased brain function, more energy, control their weight more easily, and obtain more essential minerals and vitamins. Not only that, but eating before work decreases the chances of you being tempted by treats at work.
Make a Pack-Up for Work
While ordering food with your colleagues can be fun, you are less likely to make poor diet choices by taking your own food to work. While an apple from your lunchbox might not be as enjoyable as the cheese fries from the hospital cafeteria, the nutrients from it can help keep you going throughout your long shift at work.
Drink Plenty of Water
Water is essential to our overall health. Doctors recommend consuming a minimum of 9 cups of water daily. While this number may seem high, there are lots of simple things you can do to increase your water intake during a shift:
- Add some fruit to your water – this will add flavor to the water without adding sugar.
- Try a seltzer.
- Take a refillable water bottle to work and make sure it is close to your workstation so that you can have a drink whenever you need one.
Nursing is not just a job; it is a vocation. There are lots of reasons why people choose this career. Not only is it an advantageous career option, but it can also be an enjoyable role too. However, thanks to the nature of the work involved, it is also one of the most difficult careers. Nurses have to deal with difficult situations daily and work very long hours. This makes it essential that they take care of themselves. Whether you are a student nurse or a nurse for some years, make sure you follow some of our top tips above to keep yourself fit and healthy.
