By Lina Belegu

August 2, 2022

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Strong Advice for Keeping up a Healthy Lifestyle

Simply said, when we are healthy, we perform at our best. But is keeping up a great state of health really so easy? There are many temptations that we must resist, including those to watch TV, eat junk food, and check social media while lounging on the sofa.
You must alter your lifestyle if you want to keep it healthy. You could first find it challenging to adjust, but as you see the difference, you’ll be persuaded that it was worthwhile. Together, let’s learn how to have a healthy lifestyle by adopting a few clever changes.

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Choose a healthy diet.

Even if choosing a healthy diet may be challenging for you, you can do it with some effort. Increase your diet of fresh fruits and vegetables by visiting your neighborhood farmer’s market and purchasing seasonal produce. Lean meat, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains should all be included in your diet since they help the digestive system work properly.

Try to cook at home, and while dining out, pick meals made with fresh ingredients. Without looking at your phone or the TV, eat your food and enjoy it. Also, keep in mind that we are what we consume. We need to eat healthily if we want to stay healthy.

Get moving

We spend a lot of time indoors in our contemporary lives, frequently working long hours at a computer. You need to get up and start moving as one of the first stages to becoming healthy. Whichever exercise you choose, as long as you are moving your body, strengthening your muscles, and lubricating your joints, it doesn’t matter.

Getting moving can help with a number of ailments to improve their symptoms. When modified, it can lessen the symptoms of illnesses like plantar fasciitis and assist with poor muscle tone.

If you experience such issues, you may always think about further therapeutic options. You might select a foot massage, foot spa, or foot roller, for instance. All of these items are designed to relieve the area’s strained muscles and provide much-needed pain relief.

Take in a lot of water.

One of the primary elements that might harm overall health is dehydration. We are really stopping our organs and systems from working properly when we don’t drink enough water.

Eight glasses of water each day is the bare minimum advised. The most important thing is to drink water and limit our intake of tea, coffee, and sodas. Some of these drinks have diuretic qualities, which exacerbate dehydration. Others are high in sugar and provide empty calories, which raises the risk of diabetes and hyperglycemia. Regular water hydrates us and soothes our thirst. That is all there is to it. And we perform as we should when we are well hydrated.

Sleep for 7-8 hours every night.

There is a circadian rhythm that governs how our bodies work. We were created to sleep at night and be active throughout the day. In the present day, we often work long hours and forgo sleep. We also spend more time staring at bright displays and complain of sleeplessness. Lack of sleep can make it difficult for us to maintain a healthy lifestyle, raising the possibility of developing chronic health issues and impairing our productivity.

The simple fix is to get the recommended seven to eight hours of shut-eye each night. Paying attention to sleep hygiene is also crucial. For instance, you shouldn’t have a substantial meal just before night. You won’t be able to sleep since your body will be too busy digesting all that food. Spending excessive amounts of time on your phone or watching TV might stimulate your brain cells and keep you from falling asleep. Last but not least, check to see whether the air is too dry or the place is too hot.

Every day, floss your teeth.

In order to maintain proper dental hygiene, how frequently should you floss your teeth? It’s not always obvious how frequently we should floss our teeth for the best results, but doing so removes plaque and food particles from difficult-to-reach areas between your teeth and around the gum line, says a dentist in Carefree.

Plaque is made up of bacteria that like feeding on the sugar and leftover food that has been left on your teeth. This bacterium then releases an acid that damages the enamel, the tooth’s outermost layer. The toughest material in the human body is enamel, but if it is damaged, you might get cavities, gum disease, or even toothaches.

Put an end to being busy.

This is possibly one of the most significant causes of chronic health issues. No of the repercussions, working nonstop has become the norm for us. We spend less time outside and are always plugged into some form of gadget. While it is important to recognize the advantages of technology, moderation is the key to leading a healthy lifestyle.

When you go home, do something instead of browsing social media and worrying that you missed anything. Visit the gym, play tennis, or go for a swim. A great method to maintain your health and feel fantastic mentally is to engage in active fun. Being busy will make you feel anything but healthy and is not as glamorous as it might appear.

Finally, make an effort to maintain a healthy weight, drink lots of water, get adequate sleep, work effectively and moderately, and keep active. Also, keep in mind that having fun is a great method to relax and unwind.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Kevin Devoto

July 15, 2022

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Foods Traveling Nurses Should Add To Their Diets To Keep Their Energy Up

Many aspects of life require extra energy, particularly fast-paced, labor-intensive, stressful jobs. One job that may require plenty of energy is travel nursing. While the go-to method of gaining energy is caffeine, you can also boost your reserves by making dietary changes. Here are foods traveling nurses should add to their diets to keep their energy up.

1. Nutrient-rich Fruits And Vegetables

One of the best ways to keep your energy up is to load up on nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables such as spinach, strawberries, bananas, and kale. Doing so ensures you get the necessary amounts of energy-boosting nutrients such as iron, vitamin B6, and potassium. These are versatile foods that can be added to many recipes and meals. Many people choose to add cut fruit to yogurt, cereal, and oatmeal breakfasts. You can also blend many of these fruits and vegetables into smoothies. If you want an extra boost, you can also include nutrient supplements and powders such as opti greens.

2. Fatty Fish

Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna are also useful additions to your diet if you want to boost your daily energy levels. You shouldn’t eat seafood every day, but including these fish, in your diet several times throughout each month or adding a daily fish oil supplement to your diet can be beneficial due to the high amounts of vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein in them. The protein ensures you feel fuller longer and have greater energy stores, while vitamin B12 supports your body’s iron levels and produces red blood cells in conjunction with folic acid.

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3. Lean And Plant-based Protein

Protein is an important source of energy for your body, but you need to choose the right kinds of protein. Try to focus on lean meats such as poultry, protein sources that contain healthy fats, such as fish and eggs, and plant-based protein, such as nuts, seeds, beans, and legumes. Sources of protein that contain trans fats, such as processed meats, and saturated fats, such as red meat, should be consumed in moderation.

4. Wraps of All Kinds

As a travel nurse, you’re likely going to want many of your meals to be compact, portable, and easy to eat quickly. This applies to lunches and snacks in particular. A great option for ensuring you have a portable meal that also packs plenty of nutrients is by choosing to make wraps. A wrap can include the same ingredients as a sandwich in a more compact package. Wraps have as much variety as sandwiches, too. You can make them out of tortillas or lettuce and fill them with combinations of nearly all the other foods on this list, among others.

5. Green, Black, Or Oolong Tea

Coffee may be the go-to source of caffeine, but there are alternatives that allow your body to process caffeine more slowly and provide you with additional nutrition. Many types of teas, excluding most herbal blends, contain caffeine. Unlike coffee, tea contains a compound called L-theanine. This compound reduces the negative effects of caffeine, such as jitters, and moderates the dispersal of caffeine throughout your body. Drinking one or more cups of tea in a day is highly likely to improve your concentration and alertness. Tea also contains high amounts of antioxidants, namely flavonoids or polyphenols.

6. High-fiber Foods

No matter what your diet is like while you work as a travel nurse, make sure high-fiber foods are included in it. Foods that are high in fiber are well-known for regulating your digestive cycle, but they have other benefits as well. They provide your body with longer-lasting energy stores and regulate your blood sugar. High-fiber foods include most fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. You can also add fiber supplements to your diet.

Many people find that a balanced and nutrient-rich diet has better energizing effects than simply consuming caffeine. You can try out different dietary changes to determine what seems to work best for you. Consulting a dietician or nutritionist can also be quite beneficial.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. There you can search for what you are looking for in housing.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Kevin Devoto

July 10, 2022

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Taking Care of Yourself As a Travel Nurse

Nursing is an incredibly taxing profession. With the current nursing shortage worldwide, there has been an uptick in travel nurses. These specialists spend a few weeks helping a hospital or private office before moving to a new locale. While nursing itself takes a toll on your health, working as a travel nurse is often even worse. If you’re always hopping between communities so you can help people, here are some ways you can take care of yourself.

1. Focus on Nutrition

One of the best things you can do to protect your health as a travel nurse is to maintain a healthy nutrition standard. The food you put in your body will not only fuel your daily routine but also allow you to build a healthy immune response that’ll keep you safe when traveling. Of course, sitting down for a meal is not always possible when you’re on shift. Depending on what department you’re working in, you may not even get a break until you’re ready to clock out. So how do you focus on nutrition? 

A simple solution is to keep healthy snacks in your pockets or desk. While you may not have time to go to the cafeteria, you’ll probably be able to grab a few bites of a protein bar between patients. If you get breaks during your shift, keeping a glucose disposal agent with you can help balance your blood sugar for the rest of your workday. These supplements act the same way insulin does and help take sugars from your bloodstream to the cells that need them most. You can maintain enough energy to make it through your day and build a healthy immune system by keeping your blood sugar balanced. 

2. Reduce Stress Between Shifts

Another vital component to your health as a travel nurse is stress reduction. There’s no getting around the fact that nursing is a ridiculously stressful and mentally taxing profession. No matter your department, you bear the emotional burden of helping people on some of their worst days. You can take care of your mental health by having a stress relief plan outside of work. Allowing yourself a space to relax after your shift ends will help keep you stable and motivated as a nurse. 

Making time for self-care between shifts doesn’t need to be elaborate. On most days, your chosen form of pampering might be a hot meal and a long nap, and that’s okay. When you have a few days off, going to a bar or restaurant with friends can help reset your emotional meter. If that’s not your style, simply making an appointment to get your hair done or an upper back massage can help return you to your best self. No matter what you like to do on your days off, it’s essential to reduce stress between shifts to stay mentally fit.

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3. Create a Healthy Sleep Routine

Finally, creating a healthy sleep routine will protect your body and mind. Without proper sleep, it’s impossible to function at your highest level. No matter what shift you work, you should have a bedtime routine for when you get back to your lodgings. Even in the middle of the day, following your set ritual will help your body fall asleep and stay asleep longer. 

If you’re staying in a hotel during your placement, simple acts like putting the “do not disturb” tag on your door and closing the blinds can help you sleep well. If your room has a kitchenette, try soothing tea options to get your body winding down for bed. By creating a healthy sleep routine, you can stay at the top of your game during work. 

Overall, being a travel nurse is both taxing and rewarding. The nature of your job demands that you help people stay healthy, but you should be able to remain healthy. With these tips on taking care of yourself as a travel nurse, you can maintain your health while traveling. 

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. There you can search for what you are looking for in housing.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Lina Belegu

June 20, 2022

3390 Views

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Natural Energy Boosting Tips

Is your day dragging you down? It’s okay if you’re feeling a bit more tired than usual because life is so chaotic, demanding, and all-consuming these days.

While you may believe that going for a Starbucks or a can of Red Bull is the answer, there are some more natural ways to boost your energy levels. Here are six natural strategies to overcome weariness and increase energy levels so you can go about your day with more vigor.

Natural Energy Boosting Tips:

Get some sleep

This may sound obvious, but getting enough sleep is one of the most important things you can do to alleviate weariness. According to the CDC, 35 percent of American adults do not obtain the necessary 7 hours of sleep each night. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, sleeping for 7 hours can help prevent diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and poor performance.

Here are some sleep-related health tips to help you get some rest:

·       Go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning.

·       Create a cool and dark sleeping environment.

·       Diminish the amount of stimulus in your space by turning off electronics.

·       Avoid coffee and alcohol before going to bed.

·       Take a bath or read a book

Exercise

While getting off the sofa may be the last thing on your mind, exercise—even a simple walk—can help you feel more energized.

It is not totally obvious from a physiological standpoint, but there is a link between physical exercise and a reduction in low energy and exhaustion. Some of this might be due to the release of endorphins induced by exercise or the improvement in sleep resulting from regular activity.

The CDC advises 150 minutes of moderate activity each week and at least two days of exercise to build muscles.

Limit your alcohol intake.

There’s a reason why wine has been labeled “sleepy juice” by some. However, a single glass of wine at lunch may add to your afternoon slump. Also, that drink before bedtime may lead you to toss and turn and wake up feeling groggy.

While alcohol reduces the time it takes to fall asleep and appears to improve sleep quality in the first half of the night, it severely interrupts sleep in the second half of the night and impacts overall REM sleep for the night.

If you must drink, do it in moderation and at a time when you are not concerned about your energy levels waning.

Stay Hydrated

Feeling fatigued is one of the earliest signs of dehydration. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid feeling tired. For women, that’s 9 glasses, while for males, it’s 13.

Keep an eye on your diet.

Food is one of our primary sources of energy. The key is to stay away from processed meals, which can cause your energy levels to jump and then swiftly decrease, leaving you feeling sluggish. Choose meals with a low glycemic index, which means the sugars are absorbed slowly. Whole grains, high-fiber vegetables, nuts, and healthy oils are examples of foods having a low glycemic index.

To help, you might want to explore taking vitamins, herbs, or other supplements, but see your doctor first. Some dietary supplements might make your prescription work better or worse.

Discover Inner Peace

While you may not be able to entirely eliminate stress from your life at this time, it may be contributing to your weariness. Allow yourself some time during the day to help you clear your thoughts.

Meditation, yoga, and tai chi are among natural energy enhancers that help you focus on attentive breathing. If yoga isn’t for you, chat with a friend, keep a diary, or consult a professional behavioral health specialist. Some of these activities might help you sleep better and enhance your mental health.

Are you still tired?

If you’re still tired all of the time, the Restore 3 Program, a supplement that helps people enhance their gut health and immune system, is a good option.

But, low energy levels could be a sign of an underlying medical issue, such as hypothyroidism, anemia, a sleep disorder, or a mental health condition. While these natural energy boosters are great pick-me-ups, they could also be a sign of an underlying medical issue, such as hypothyroidism, anemia, a sleep disorder, or a mental health condition. If your exhaustion goes beyond what’s normal for your lifestyle, if it’s becoming worse, or if you’re not sure, talk to your doctor.

We hope you found this article on natural energy boosting tips helpful. Do you have any other natural energy boosting tips that you would like to share with fellow travel nurses? Comment below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming travel assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Kevin Devoto

April 15, 2022

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8 Tips for Caring for Your Mental and Physical Health When You Travel

Are you about to spend a lot of time on the road or in a hotel? You’re in good company; many more people are traveling these days, and much of that travel is work-related. Remote options, contract jobs, and other innovative opportunities abound. If you want to make the most out of these experiences, your mental and physical health must stay strong. Here are several self-care tips to follow when you’re away from home. 

1. Stay Rested

Getting the proper amount of restorative rest and sleep is vital if you want to stay energetic, alert, and calm. It isn’t easy if you’re dealing with changing time zones, work shifts, and the general wear and tear of travel. Stick to basics: Bring items that will help you maintain a nurturing sleep routine. Some of those items might include a special pillow, essential oils, a sleep mask, or earplugs. Be aware of the thermostat, too; do a search using terms such as optimal sleeping temperature to find useful information. 

2. Get Cozy

A big part of mental and emotional health is feeling safe and grounded. Do you have a special blanket that feels like home? Then bring it — or one that’s similar to it. Are your fuzzy slippers perfect for lounging around? Pack them. The same goes for other items that make you feel relaxed and cared for. 

3. Get Nourished

Keeping your blood sugar and energy stable is always crucial, but it’s especially important when you travel. Do some research to find out about the food available at your destination, and stock up with healthy treats and meals when you arrive. When you work, make sure to eat at regular intervals and hydrate. 

4. See the Sights

As soon as possible, after you arrive at your destination, go for a walk or run around the neighborhood. It’s a potent stress reliever and will help your body acclimate to your new environment and sunlight patterns. Even though it might be tempting, avoid holing up in your room for your entire stay (outside of work). Getting out for a few minutes or hours will do wonders for your energy and perspective. 

5. Stay In Touch

Sometimes, it’s great to get away from it all and turn the volume down on your text and phone interactions. That said, it’s good for your mental and emotional health to check in with supportive loved ones occasionally to give and receive a fun text or photo. Even if you’re abroad, apps like WhatsApp will help you stay in touch. Do you have a counselor who you count on? Do a check-in if you’re feeling stressed out. 

6. Pack Layers

Keep it simple and pack wrinkle-resistant, coordinated clothing that you won’t have to think much about. Include a few fashionable layers to prepare for unexpected weather changes. Also, leave a bit of room in your suitcase for great finds at your destination! 

7. Get Pampered

It’s always fun to get a blowout, massage, or mani-pedi, but it’s especially nice when you travel. If you have the time and a bit of extra money, consider taking a few hours away to receive some quality pampering. 

8. Prepare for the Unexpected

With travel comes new sights, sounds, and experiences. Sometimes, these experiences are unexpected ones. To boost your safety and peace of mind, have a point person who always knows your location. Check out a few online resources that focus on travel safety, so you can plan ahead. 

Caring for your mental and physical health when you travel requires self-awareness, careful planning, and the willingness to be flexible. Try these tips to enhance your trip. 

We hope you found these eight tips for caring for your mental and physical health while traveling helpful. Do you have any tips to add? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Kevin Devoto

January 29, 2022

3542 Views

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Staying Healthy As a Busy Nurse

As a nurse, it’s second nature for you to take care of everyone around you. No matter how busy you get with helping other people, you need to support your health. If your health isn’t at its best, it’ll be far harder for you to succeed at work. Before you go to work for the week, take some time to care for yourself. Supporting your health will help you succeed, both at work and home. 

Getting Proper Nutrition

One of the most important aspects of taking care of yourself is your nutrition. When you’re busy with work, it can be hard to focus on what you’re putting in your body. As a nurse, you know that everything you eat becomes your body’s fuel, so it’s important to have healthy, balanced nutrition. When your diet suffers, your body will slow, and your energy levels will drop, making nursing all the more difficult. Ensuring your nutrition is balanced and complete is the first step in keeping your body healthy. 

Of course, it can be hard to find time to sit down for full meals as a nurse. Depending on where you’re working, a meal break is a luxury that comes rarely. Even if you don’t get a full meal break every shift, it’s still important to take care of your nutrition; this is where things such as meal replacement shakes come in. While these shakes aren’t as nutrient-rich as a full meal, they provide the protein and fats your body needs to keep its energy up, allowing you to continue working without exhaustion. If you’re unsure of how to balance your nutrition and your busy schedule, look into these meal replacement solutions. No matter how you do it, keeping your nutrition right is vital to your overall health. 

Ensuring High-Quality Sleep

Another major component of your overall health is sleep. When you sleep, your body heals from the stress and damage it has encountered that day. If the quality of your sleep is poor, you’ll be exhausted and sluggish the next day. Making sure you get both enough sleep and good quality sleep is crucial to maintaining your health. When you get high-quality sleep, your immune system will get a boost, and your health will improve. The question is, how do you improve your sleep as a busy nurse? 

One of the best things you can do for your sleep is getting a good mattress. A supportive mattress will cradle your pressure points and reduce pain in your joints while you sleep. This reduction in pain and swelling will help you sleep deeper and wake up refreshed every morning. Another way you can improve your sleep is by having a routine. While this isn’t the easiest thing to do as a busy nurse, having a general set time that you go to bed and wake up every day will help you fall and stay asleep easier. This leads to less tossing and turning and deeper and more restorative sleep. The better sleep you get, the healthier your body will be. 

Staying Mentally Healthy

Finally, it’s important to keep your mental health up as well. It’s no secret that nursing is an incredibly taxing profession, and it can take a severe toll on your mental health at times. If you want to stay healthy as a nurse, it’s crucial to take care of your mind as well. Take time to decompress after work and rejuvenate your psyche. No matter how stressful your job gets, you should be able to come home and relax. Make the effort to keep your mind healthy, and you’ll be able to avoid work stress getting the better of you. 

When you’re feeling overwhelmed from work, take some time for self-care. How you do this depends on your tastes, but it’s the effort that will make the difference. Giving yourself a space to relax and unwind without any expectations will keep you mentally healthy as well as physically. 

Overall, you need to take care of yourself as a nurse. The healthier you are, the better you’ll be able to protect and nurture others. 

We hope you found these tips for staying healthy as a busy nu e helpful. Do you have any health tips for busy tr el nurses? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for your assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Lori Boggan

September 11, 2021

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Wellness on the Road

There’s nothing like packing the car and hitting the road or boarding a flight to your next adventure. It’s the element of change, enrichment, and unknown common to all of us as travelers.  We seek it, are driven by it.  I applaud every one of you for the true sense of support and community you provide one another.  I love perusing all your photos and reading about your experiences.

Wellness on the Road

Over the next few months, I am excited to offer a little advice and inspiration I like to call Wellness on the Road.”  It’s part food, part mindfulness, and a sprinkle of yoga.  It’s geared toward maintaining balance while on the road.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about stopping at In-N-Out along I-80 in Northern California and indulging in a cheeseburger (always ask for animal style), fries, and chocolate shake!!  It’s a must in California!  But how do we learn and maintain balance on the road and when settling into our new environment??

Plan Plan Plan


Plan your snacks when on the road and at work.  Fruit and nuts are easy and healthy alternatives.  Drink mostly water.  Plan 30 minutes at the start or end of your day to exercise, whether it’s going for a walk, unrolling your yoga mat (Gypsy sequences to come), checking out your local gym, swimming hall, or dance studio.  Try something you’ve never tried before.  It’s in your Gypsy blood.  Find your routine and stick with it.

 Create a Sense of Home


Wellness is not just about exercise and eating well. It’s also about a sense of well-being.  While we enjoy exploring new environments, it is always nice to take a piece of home with you.  Many of us have traveled with our pets, which is the closest thing to taking home with us.  Some other great ways to bring warmth and a sense of home to your new environment are to bring photos, plants, trinkets, and/or your favorite candles.  I always pack one box full of photos and candles.  It gives a sense of familiarity.  If you are not an expert plant person (me), ask for help finding the lowest maintenance plant.

 Embrace Your New Surroundings


This is why we travel.  We yearn to taste new food, see new sights.  The perfect place to start is your local Farmer’s Market.  You will find the freshest local and seasonal ingredients.  Check out the festivals in your area.  Take a moment to breathe it all in.  Find Gypsy friends.  Ten years later, I am still in contact with my Gypsy friends.  Some become your friends for life.

Moderation


Being on the road often can lead to chronic poor food choices.  Indulge!  Eat the foods you love. Try to commit to once a week.  On your other days, try to get your healthy proteins, fruits, vegetables, and grains in.  Keep a bag of trail mix in your work bag.  It’s an easy and healthy hunger fix.  Drink even more water.

Listen to Your Body


Get enough sleep (Gypsy yoga for sleep to come).  Learn to say no when it is necessary.  Learn to ask for help.  Just because you are a traveler does not mean that you know everything and can take on anything.  We all need help sometimes.  On the days you have a ton of energy, take that long run or go to your favorite invigorating yoga class.  On the days you wake up with less energy, maybe opt for a walk or a restorative yoga session instead.

We need to learn to take a moment for ourselves.  We need to focus on our wellness. We are caretakers by nature.  We can easily lose our own well-being in the process and often suffer from the same stress-related illnesses we lecture our patients about.  My message, take care of yourself.  Until next time <3

By The Gypsy Nurse

June 27, 2021

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Nurses Need Nutrition Too: 10 Snacks That Pack Power

Nursing is a very demanding profession. It’s physical, mental, emotional, everything wrapped into one. Days can be long, situations are very difficult. So it makes perfect sense that nurses need to be at the top of their game.  It doesn’t take pile research, only common sense, to realize that when we are hungry our body is out of sync and we can experience moodiness, brain fog, and even confusion.  It’s important that you take care of yourself so you can take care of others. Our food markets and online options have expanded considerably to include many options for healthy snacks that you may not know even existed.

Here are 10 snacks that are high in nutrients to help you stay sharp at work and play.

1. Sunflower Seeds-

These tiny nuggets contain a rich mix of protein that powers the brain. They also have fiber, healthy fats, iron, and tryptophan which the brain converts into serotonin to fight depression.

2. Seaweed

This green monster is anything but scary with omega 3 fatty acids and both soluble and insoluble fiber. Its folic acid has been shown to improve verbal and memory function for even more brainpower.

3. Dark Chocolate-

This treat is loaded with antioxidants and helps boost mood. The flavonols in chocolate can improve circulation, increase brain function, and even improve memory.

4. Avocados-

Easily found in guacamole, avocados are rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids which increase blood flow to the brain, reduce cholesterol, and improve antioxidant absorption. Also rich with vitamin E which has been linked to protecting the brain from free radical damage. Its vitamin K and potassium can reduce the risk of stroke.

5. Walnuts-

Another favorite food for the brain, high in Vitamin B12 and B6 these nuts are shown to prevent memory decline by eliminating homocysteine in the blood.

6. Whole Eggs-

Hard-boiled eggs, with less than 100 calories each, are a great option for busy workdays. They contain the highest quality source of protein available as well as almost every essential vitamin and mineral needed by humans for balanced nutrition.

7. Carrots-

These time-tested favorites are good for your eyes and brain. Featuring high levels of luteolin, this compound helps reduce memory deficits and inflammation in the brain. More good news, these flavorful snacks are nutritious, easy to find, and portable.

8. Blueberries-

Studies show blueberries may improve cognition and promote memory.

9. Whole grains-

Granola, wheat bran, oatmeal, whole-grain bread, and cereals are good snack choices that release glucose slowly into the bloodstream and help keep you alert throughout the day.

10. Bananas and Apples-

Especially when fresh, these fruits are loaded with vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber. These portable wonders can also give a little energy boost when you need one.

By Candice Hubbard

June 13, 2020

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Travel Light: How to Stay Fit and Light on the Go

As a frequent traveler over the past eight years, whether for personal leisure travel or business travel as a travel nurse, I have found three mainstays that keep me feeling fit and light no matter where life takes me.

Pack healthy snacks

The challenge of eating well while traveling is packing light, health, nutrient-rich snacks. If you’re a frequent flyer and dealing with airline meals and unhealthy airport food this can be a challenge. Even once you’re at your destination, the struggle to find healthy restaurant choices in an unfamiliar city is also a daunting task. The key is to pack smart! As a savvy traveler, it is wise to reserve room in your suitcases for snacks and portable meals. Select foods that stay fresh even when you’re waiting for security lineups and flight delays.

Optimum choices in healthy snacks are what I like to call the pantry protein pack. It’s a trail mix of sorts, that I create from an assortment of nuts, seeds, and sometimes throw in a little dried fruits, such as raisins. These items are nutrient-dense in protein, fiber, healthy fats, and complex carbs to keep your hunger satisfied, full of energy for extended travel, and boost your immune system to ward off travel bugs. These same snack packing tips are also great for road trip travelers as well, as it prevents those frequent stops at fast-food restaurants and convenience stores in gas stations for the poor nutrition selections they offer.

Hydrate

Can’t stress this enough, adequate hydration is equally, if not more important than packing the healthy snacks. Adequate hydration with water is the key. Try to avoid, hydrating with juices, teas, and sports drinks. Water helps in the transport and absorption of the nutrients taken in from your pantry protein pack, as well as aid in proper circulation, digestion, the creation of saliva, and regulating body temperature.

Other benefits to drinking water include, caloric intake control, energizes muscles, keeps skin supple, and it helps the kidneys perform their duties in keeping the body free of toxins. In order to stay hydrated on the go, pack a refillable water bottle for air travel, since liquids are not allowed at the checkpoint. You can also purchase water after security, however, it can be costly, as airport terminal prices are priced for the convenience. For road, travel pack a cooler bag of bottled water. Other ways to get your daily dose of water is by having it at every mealtime and through consuming fruits and vegetables.

Stay Active

My final mainstay to travel fitness is staying active. Tight spaces, unknown places, don’t have to hinder your workout routine. The following is a list of ways to stay active no matter what city life takes you to in your travels:

Cardio:

Find a local park or walking trail, city guide websites, Google, and your hotel reception office are good ways to help you locate such places. A 30-minute, walk, jog, or run is a great time-saving way to boost cardiovascular conditioning and energy to power through the rest of your day. Also, some hotels offer fitness amenities, such as a small fitness room equipped with at the minimum a treadmill or elliptical machine.

If walking, jogging, running is not your thing, there are options inside and outside your hotel that can be just as beneficial options. Pack a jump rope, they are lightweight, flexi, and easy to drop in any size suitcase or carry-on. Just 30-minutes of jumping rope burns up to 300 calories. Also, a quick online search for local dance studios or dance classes offers great cardio and socialization options, for travelers.

Build strength:

No need to search for a local gym, or suffer through the struggle of visitation fees, short-term membership contracts. Do simple equipment-free resistance training exercises, such as push-ups, tricep dips, sit-ups, planks, squats, lunges, and more, that can be done in your hotel room or even office. For an added boost, pack a resistance band, their light, flexi, and easy to drop in any size suitcase or carry-on.

Stretch:

Flexibility is an important component of any fitness routine. Practicing simple stretches and poses common to fitness modalities such as yoga is a great way to energize the body for a long workday, or even relax the body after a long stressful workday. It also keeps muscles and joints supple and prevents injury. Pack a sticky mat or even pick one up from a local sporting goods store, their pretty inexpensive and stretch in your hotel room, or even scout around online for a local yoga studio. Studios are great from travelers because there are usually no contractual commitments to take classes, plus it gives you social options outside of your work setting while you are in a new city.

All in all, traveling doesn’t have to be an unhealthy experience. People so commonly blame weight gain on travel, because of the inability to find healthy meal options. Use your resources, pack what you need to stay fueled, ask around about fitness options. Nourish your body and take care of it well. Travel can be fun, you don’t have to opt for the unhealthy conveniences offered to you, you can take charge of your health while on the road, because your health matters. Stay Well! ~ Candice

We hope these tips for staying fit and light while traveling helpful. Have you found ways that have helped you stay fit and light while traveling? Please comment them below.