Six Healthy Tips for Travel Nurses

Travel nurses lead an exciting but hectic life: ever-changing routines, shifts, and workplaces. Maintaining a well-balanced diet with such a demanding and dynamic schedule can prove challenging! Here are some tips to ensuring a healthy, well-balanced diet and lifestyle while you’re on the move!

#1: Acclimate to your new surroundings:  When changing assignments, once you are settled, get a good lay of the land! Hop on a maps app or search engine to scope out grocery stores and restaurants nearby and get a feel for the best places to shop and eat from your new local co-workers.

#2: Plan ahead: Once you have your new schedule in place set aside a day to plan ahead! Planning your meals and snacks for the week can help keep you healthy and fueled for your long busy shifts! Ensure your meals and snacks are a good balance of carbohydrates, protein, fiber, fats, and fruit/vegetables. Being prepared can help you avoid processed foods.

#3: Maintain flexibility: Be prepared to adjust your diet and meals based on what you have available and local to your surroundings. Staying flexible can help you to stay on track!

#4: It’s all about BALANCE: The key to eating healthy is BALANCE! While adhering to a well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, grains, lean-proteins, and fiber is the most important, having a cheat meal here and there is important as well.  To stay consistent don’t deprive yourself. Find a fun local spot to frequent during your assignment and GO ALL OUT! Order the dessert, have the fun beverage, and don’t be too hard on yourself, just pick back up with your healthy habits the next day!

#5: Exercise: Listen I know you’re busy, but part of a healthy diet includes exercise which can help alleviate stress too. A 20-30 minute walk on your own time can help you relax, refocus, and recharge after a hectic shift. Or perhaps find a trail and a buddy, or even an at-home program to get your body moving. This won’t just help to balance your lifestyle, it will do wonders for your sleep and energy levels!

#6: Did I mention sleep?: The flip-flopping of shifts and constant changing of where you call home can’t make sleep come easy. Try to put your phone away at least an hour before going to bed and set sleep reminders. Check out NursingCenter’s blog on “Successfully Navigating the Night Shift” for additional tips to help you get a good nights (or days) rest after a long shift!

As a travel nurse you are known for your adaptability and ability to make the very best out of new situations. Make sure your health stays at the forefront so you can perform at your best, both on shift and off!
 
Happy travels!
 

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