Being a traveling nurse, although fun and fulfilling, can sometimes become a tad bit overwhelming. With everything that comes with this type of job, one can easily become stressed and forget about their own needs.

This, of course, will only be counter-productive in the long run. The more physically and emotionally fit you are, the better you will be at performing your job. Taking care of your well-being first will enable you to be better at taking care of others. That’s why we’ve created a list of 5 relaxing activities every traveling nurse should try out.

Running helps keep you in shape

Running is an excellent form of exercise that will help you stay in good shape and improve your health. This type of exercise is suited for people of all ages and fitness levels. When going for a run, many people use the opportunity to clear their heads of any thoughts and focus solely on running itself. On the other hand, to some, going for a run presents the perfect opportunity to think about things that are currently happening in their lives and come up with ways to deal with them. Of course, if you’re just starting to run, make sure you take things slow. Get all the necessary running gear that will aid you to perform this workout correctly and minimize any chances of injury.

Hiking is an excellent way to relax and unwind

If running is not your thing, you should try hiking instead. As a beginner hiker, you won’t have to get any elaborate gear and have any significant expertise. You can simply go for a hike and enjoy some fresh air and beautiful sceneries. If you end up liking it and you feel like you want to learn more about it, check out a useful guide on hiking to find out more information about this fun activity. So, get your hiking shoes on, make sure you bring some water to stay hydrated, prepare your favorite playlist and go on a relaxing and mindful hike.

Yoga will heal your soul

Yoga is another way you can take care of both your mind and body. The fact that you can practice yoga wherever you want is an added benefit to this exercise. No matter if you decide to go to a yoga studio, or you choose to do it in your home/out in the park, you’ll surely start noticing the benefits soon. Besides, since in order to practice yoga you won’t have to get any special gear, it makes a perfect exercise option for traveling nurses. Therefore, make sure you find a peaceful corner for yourself, get your comfortable exercising clothes on and get in tune with yourself.

Going to a concert will boost your happiness

It’s true what they say, music can – in fact – heal your soul. So, if you hear about any interesting concerts near you, don’t hesitate to check them out. Not only will listening to your favorite jams boost your endorphin levels but singing along will bring some additional benefits. When you sing, you use your lungs more. Therefore, it’s safe to say that singing is a great type of exercise for this very important organ. When you get the chance to combine something you enjoy with something that’s good for you, never miss on doing it.

A “me” day will re-energize you

In the end, we should all try to be more kind to ourselves. Many people – and nurses in particular – tend to always put others before themselves. However, it is of the utmost importance that we pay attention to ourselves from time to time and put our own needs first. That’s why you shouldn’t shy away from taking a “me” day every once in a while, and treat yourself both physically and emotionally. Go for a relaxing massage or prepare yourself a nice warm bubble bath. Do things that bring you joy or even go to therapy if you start feeling overwhelmed. As a medical professional, you know best just how important it is not to ignore the signs our bodies are sending us.

A job of a traveling nurse is anything but easy – both physically and emotionally. That’s why you should make sure that you treat both your body and mind to some relaxing activities and things that bring you joy. The better you feel, the more productive and engaging you’ll be, which is certainly something both you and the people around you can greatly benefit from.

We hope that you found these relaxing activities for travel nurses helpful. Do you have any activities you use to help relax after a hard shift or on your day off? Comment them below.

Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

The recent situation in the world has seen unprecedented levels of worry and fear spread amongst people, fearful for their health and for their future.

Exact Impact?

The exact impact of the situation is still unclear; will we recover economically? What will the so-called ‘new normal’ look like in real terms, in malls and workplaces across the US? How will we truly get back to normal if there is such a thing?

These are huge questions and, whilst many people remain either confined to their home or at limited capacity for living their lives, they are given far too much time to contemplate the answers. That, in turn, could lead to a new problem across the US, in the form of a mental health epidemic.

In recent years, awareness of mental health issues has risen considerably, with celebrities such as Chris Evans able to open up about their struggles and help those who fight demons on a daily basis. The importance of mental health is even being taught at the university level. Case in point, Maryville University notes how those with a psychology degree are taught the links between sound mental health and learning success, which showcases just how important it is to stay in shape mentally.

In other words, an individual’s ability to learn and develop is severely impacted by any issue around their mental health. That is why, during these testing times, it is vitally important to keep on top of your own mental wellbeing and your ability to cope with the constantly changing outside world.

The current situation has seen a severe increase in the potential triggers for an individual’s stress and that can result in a vicious circle. In their article ‘Problems Cause Stress and Stress Causes Problems’, My Secure Advantage examined how psychological worries can eventually turn into physical problems such as stomach cramps; the same can be said for mental health. The problem produces stress, the stress produces a problem, and it the problem becomes cyclical. Placing yourself in harm’s way by worrying and being anxious not only affects how you think and act but can lead to pain and other physical symptoms.

Physical manifestations of mental health issues are one aspect to be concerned about, but another key issue is the potential for mental health sufferers to go beyond anxiety and worry and become a suicide risk. It is one of the biggest killers of young people around the world and although Ohio State University showed mental health visits can reduce the risk of suicides, the recent situation has made face to face communication much harder, further increasing the risk. This is another firm reason why it is important to look after your mental health as much as feasibly possible during the pandemic.

Steps to keep your self focused

There are some basic steps you can take to help keep yourself focused and able to cope mentally. The first is to ensure you have a routine, something that brings structure to your day. If you are not working, there is every temptation to languish in bed until lunchtime and maybe not dress properly for the day; avoid this. Make sure you get up at a set time and factor in some daily tasks to add an element of routine. Eat well because your diet is just as important as any other aspect of your lifestyle. It is fine to have the odd burger and chips here and there, but do not make it the norm; try to eat as you would if you were living your best life.

Exercise

Exercise is important, even if it is a run around the yard or a routine followed at home. Exercise produces positive endorphins that promote mental wellness, so you should feel better after a workout. Also, and this is crucial if you live alone, set up a buddy group. Make sure you have human interaction to discuss issues, or to distract yourself. Try to keep busy too; having a distraction from the constant flow of bad news is a good way to keep yourself well. Maybe binge on a box set, get into a new video game or try to redecorate a room or two. If you are kept busy and focused, you can avoid falling into your own anxiety and stress.

Finally, try to avoid the news as much as possible.

Keeping up with current affairs via the internet or friends is great, but watching frightening headlines all day long will only exasperate any worries you might have.

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

START HERE

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

Depression is a very devastating mental disorder and takes a severe toll on a person’s life. Depression is a word that is thrown around inconsequently these days. People use it to describe every other episode of negative emotions, but in reality, depression is much worse than sadness.

Depression is also accompanied by a severe lack of self-esteem, hopelessness, lack of motivation, and an overall loss of interest in everything. Depression is also quite a common disorder; according to a report from 2016, it is estimated that 16.2 million adults in the US have at least one depressive episode in any given year.

Depression can demotivate you to the extent that you don’t even want to put any effort into your treatment; therefore, here are some ways which can increase your motivation and support your treatment. So, read on to learn more.

Ways to Improve Lack of Motivation and Depression

Break the negative feedback loop:

Depression is one of the worst mental disorders imaginable, and it can put you in a very negative state of mind. It causes you to develop a negative mindset, and everything seems gloomy and hopeless.

You feel like nothing is going to go your way, and these feelings can actually turn into reality, and the negativity overwhelms your mind. You have a pessimistic perception that hinders your ability to be your best self.

This leads to problems at work or in your personal life, which reinforces your negative mindset making it much worse.

This vicious loop continues, making your mentality worse and worse every time; therefore, breaking this negative feedback loop is very important. The best way to do that is to bring small positive changes in your life.

Start with small things; for instance, find one thing in your room that is bothering you and just fix it. It can be something as small as a messy desk or a stray sock on the floor. Small positive changes promote positivity and eventually motivate you to be more productive, breaking out of the loop of negativity.

This is an excellent way to improve your motivation, as well.

Make sure that you are getting a healthy amount of sleep:

Your sleep has a very significant impact on your overall health. It is important that you maintain a healthy sleep cycle and get the right amount of sleep. Ideally, you should get at least 6-8 hours of sleep every day; any less or even more than that can have a negative impact on your mental health and exacerbate your depression.

Sleep deprivation can cause mental fatigue, and it can make it challenging for you to get the motivation that you need both for your treatment and to deal with the difficulties of daily life. Sleep deprivation also decreases your tolerance against stress and leads to several physical disorders as well.

Furthermore, sleeping too much can also be bad for your mental health, and it can make you lethargic and have a negative impact on your self-esteem as well.

Therefore, if you want to regain your motivation, you should make sure that you sleep on time and wake up on time as well. Maintaining a healthy sleep routine is key to the effective treatment of depression.

Adopt an emotional support animal:

Our pets have a very important place in our lives, and did you know that they can even be very beneficial for your mental and physical health. In fact, if you or anyone you know is dealing with depression, adopting an emotional support pet can be an excellent way to improve your treatment.

Emotional support dogs are trained to know when you are feeling down. They can understand your moods and show you love and affection when you need it the most. Though it is easier to take care of these pets, it is still a responsibility, which can be very good for someone who is dealing with depression.

Being responsible for your pet allows you to feel more reliable and productive. It can also give your self-esteem a boost allowing you to be more productive and find motivation.

People with depression need emotional support, but sometimes it can be very hard to get. People with depression feel that they are a burden on their friends and family members, and they can’t seek the emotional support that they really want.

Therefore, adopting an emotional support pet is very effective, and it has an incredible impact on your mental health.

Organize your routine:

Another excellent way to improve your depression treatment and bring back some order to your life is to put an emphasis on organization. You should organize your routine and make a physical to-do list.

Writing down your routine and sticking it on a wall where you can see it makes a huge difference. When you check-off different tasks from your to-do list, it leads to a boost in your self-esteem and gives you a sense of accomplishment.

This motivates and inspires you to aim higher every day. Furthermore, organizing your schedule can help you combat day to day stress as well. It makes it easier to meet your deadlines and find time for rest and relaxation as well.

You should also consider keeping a journal as a part of your everyday routine. It allows you to keep track of your positive thoughts, and dispose of the negative ones in a safe way, which can make room for positive thoughts and ideas.

Disconnect and spend more time in nature:

Nature has a soothing effect on your mind, and if you are feeling overwhelmed because of stress and anxiety, and you feel like you are about to have a depressive episode, spending some time in nature can have a positive impact on your mind.

You should consider going for a walk, and enjoy the fresh air. Moreover, it is important to disconnect from your gadgets and spend some time focusing on yourself.

This allows you to get out of the negative loops in your life and feel more motivated.

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

START HERE

mental wellness

5 Relaxing Activities for Travel Nurses that Are Beneficial for Physical and Mental Health

Running helps keep you in shape

Hiking is an excellent way to relax and unwind

Yoga will heal your soul

Going to a concert will boost your happiness

A “me” day will re-energize you

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

Categories

Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles

Why You Should Prioritize Your Mental Health During the Pandemic

Exact Impact?

Steps to keep your self focused

Exercise

Finally, try to avoid the news as much as possible.

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!)

Categories

Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles

5 Ways to Improve Lack of Motivation and Depression