Long shifts. New cities. Unfamiliar hospitals.
If you’re a healthcare traveler, you’re no stranger to the chaos that comes with life on assignment. That’s why having quick and easy stress relief tips for healthcare travelers is important not just for your mental health, but for your ability to care for others.
From tough patients to crazy, unpredictable schedules, travel assignments can add to the pressures of an already demanding career. We’ve got good news! De-stressing doesn’t have to take an extended time off or cost you a lot of money. Just five minutes of your time can make a big difference.
Here are 10 easy ways to de-stress, recharge, and keep your mood and blood pressure in check! 🧘♀️
10 Stress Relief Tips for Healthcare Travelers on the Road 🚙
1. 🎧Play Music
While classical music can be extremely calming and decrease levels of stress hormones, the truth is, any music you enjoy can increase the flow of feel-good chemicals to the brain and help you relax.
2. 📵Disconnect
Turn off your cell phone, step away from your computer, and look away from the screen. Uninterrupted screen time can actually increase stress. So be sure to take frequent breaks and, from time to time, disconnect completely.
3. 🤣Laugh, Like REALLY Laugh!
One of the best stress relief tips for healthcare travelers we can give you is LAUGH . Find or use anything that makes you chuckle will work: a joke, a funny video, a hilarious memory, or laugh out loud. According to the Mayo Clinic, laughing:
- Enhances your oxygen intake
- Stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles
- Increases the endorphins
So, turn on a funny movie 🎥, podcast, or video and practice some self-care!
4. 🌬️Take Some Breaths
Breathing exercises can help with stress and anxiety. There are many breathing exercises out there, but here is a simple one to try: Inhale for 10 seconds, hold for 10 seconds, exhale for 10 seconds.
Taking just a few deep breaths can reduce tension and help you de-stress. The extra boost of oxygen really nourishes the brain and can help lower your blood pressure ❤️.
5. 💐Smell The Flowers (or Essential Oil)
Escape for just a few moments with essential oil. Aromatherapy has been shown to decrease stress levels, making them perfect for de-stressing; some popular scents include lavender, vanilla, and chamomile.
Keep a travel-size roller in your travel bag for those high-stress or anxiety moments.
6. 🍌Eat Like a Monkey
Bananas aren’t just for your smoothie! Bananas are loaded with potassium, which has been shown to help regulate blood pressure and even improve energy levels during stressful times. A perk is they’re a super simple on-the-go snack.
7. 🚶♂️Take a Walk
We aren’t talking about walking a 5K. A simple walk around the block can help stimulate blood flow and help de-stress. Moving your body or any exercise that you enjoy stimulates blood flow. Helping to de-stress. Staying active regularly helps keep you fit and better prepared to handle stressful situations.
8. 🍫 Eat (Yes, Really)
A balanced diet is key, but don’t underestimate the power small treats have on you. Dark chocolate is one of the best choices because its flavanols (antioxidants) may improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. So, feel free to indulge in a square (or 2 😉)
9. 🛌 Priorize Rest
We all know that sleep is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. But not all sleep is created equal. Many times, it’s quality, not quantity, that can best help you de-stress. Uninterrupted sleep, deep sleep, is what will truly help your body and mind recover. Create a wind-down routine.
10. 📅 Plan to De-Stress
De-stressing isn’t always spontaneous. It can take some planning. Avoid overbooking yourself, build in some breaks, and give yourself some time to recoup between commitments. You aren’t lazy for needing downtime. You are creating room to breathe!
💡Final Thoughts
Being a healthcare traveler is rewarding, but it is also demanding! But having a few go-to stress relief tips for healthcare travelers can make all the difference. With these 10 simple tips, you can protect your peace, boost your mood, revitalize your energy, and stay emotionally resilient on the road. 🚙🩵
Remember: When you take care of yourself, you can take care of others better!
