Let’s face it: Apart from being a highly in-demand and gratifying job, being a nurse isn’t all healthy or glamorous. As a nurse, you are bound to be on your feet while updating patient files, overseeing patient health, and, let’s not forget, working long hours.
When you’ve so many responsibilities, it is easy to forget about your health. But disregarding your health can lead to many disadvantages, such as stress, burnout, losing focus, or worse, committing unintentional medical blunders.
So, as a nurse, it is crucial to put your health on a pedestal. Otherwise, you’ll fall downward, especially if you’re new in the ring. To help you make the most of your job and health, here’s some advice on how to stay healthy and active as a nurse:
Take care of your mental health
Nurses and other healthcare personnel must take care of their mental health. If mental health problems like nervousness, work-related pressure, depression, etc., are not managed appropriately, nursing can gradually drain a person.
Don’t let yourself become mentally and emotionally worn out; take those necessary breaks. It’s a good idea to engage in mental relaxation techniques, such as yoga, breathing techniques, and contemplation, or leave the hospital to get some fresh air.
Furthermore, if you’re new to nursing and have an associate degree or diploma, aiming for an RN to BSN program will help you achieve your career goals. Additionally, this will help you gain flexibility at work, giving you peace of mind.
Aside from your mental health, this professional dentist in Charlotte also recommends getting regular health checkups. Remember that your body can deal with stress more effectively when it’s healthy.
Exercising
Exercise may be the last thing on your mind after work, but there are numerous health advantages to working out for 30 minutes each day.
While you may argue that strolling through the hospital is beneficial, neither your heart rate nor your sweat level increase.
But when you exercise, your heart rate will increase, your limbs will be stretched, and you will burn calories.
Moreover, exercise is an excellent way to relieve the stress you’ve been accumulating at work. Additionally, it offers more incredible sleep at night.
Take care of your mental health
Nurses and other healthcare personnel must take care of their mental health. If mental health problems like nervousness, work-related pressure, depression, etc., are not managed appropriately, nursing can gradually drain a person.
Don’t let yourself become mentally and emotionally worn out; take those necessary breaks. It’s a good idea to engage in mental relaxation techniques, such as yoga, breathing techniques, and contemplation, or leave the hospital to get some fresh air.
To prevent rapid burnout, nurses must keep an eye on their psychological health and identify stress causes. Nurses should remember that they can always get expert assistance if everything else fails.
Before your shift, eat
Research has shown that breakfast is the most substantial meal of the day. According to the Mayo Clinic, adults who eat breakfast have more energy, improved brain activity, and ingest more critical minerals and vitamins. Additionally, eating before starting work reduces the likelihood of consuming leftovers, typically unhealthy options like doughnuts, cookies, and chips.
Sleep
Long shifts and odd hours might wear you down. Sleep plays a massive part in our mental and physical well-being and is crucial for appropriate brain function. Unfortunately, many people do not receive enough of it.
A nurse’s ability to make quick, sensible choices while still half asleep is essential for prescribing medicine, evaluating patients, and spotting vital changes. This is due to the adverse effects that sleep deprivation has on your immune response, metabolism, mood, cognition, and other functions.
When you commute to your shift, extreme weariness can also be risky for you. So, ensure to make sleep a priority!
Stay hydrated while you work
Health, in general, depends on water. According to doctors, 8-ounce glasses of water should be consumed daily. According to the Institute of Medicine, 9 cups of water are sufficient for women, while 13 cups are recommended for men. Even though this amount may sound intimidating, you can do a few things to improve your water intake during your shift.
- Keep a refillable bottle of water near your workplace.
- To add taste without sugar, try adding seltzer or your preferred fruit.
Wrapping Up
The nursing field is very demanding, rigorous, and harsh. Dealing with the strain and burden of providing high-quality patient care requires tremendous mental and physical energy.
An ambitious nurse cannot afford to put their health at risk due to long work hours. Because of this, nurses should seriously consider taking care of themselves and devoting time and effort to improving their health.
The advice mentioned above is a fantastic method to stay healthy and active without sacrificing productivity at work. Just remember to pay attention to your body and do what is suitable for your health. Also, don’t be afraid to turn someone or some responsibility down—your health needs you.
