You’ve probably read a ton of articles on New Year resolutions in the past few weeks. From hitting the gym, to finally cleaning out that closet of clothes you’ll never wear, January is the perfect time to make changes. One of the biggest changes nurses will try to accomplish in 2017 is making health goals that are attainable and easy to practice with a busy schedule. You spend your career helping other get in the best possible health; now it’s time to think about your own. Here are just a few health tips for nurses to help you tackle the new year.
5 Health Tips For Nurses
1. Get Some Sleep
Many underestimate just how important sleep is when working as a nurse. Out of all the health tips for nurses, this might be the one that will show the most health benefits immediately. Working long hours can put a lot of wear and tear on your body, so finding time to recharge your batteries is crucial. Make it a point to take naps and try to get an adequate amount of sleep each night. You’ll feel better in the morning, your metabolism will improve, and it will also help with weight loss.
2. Less Fast Food, More Fresh Food
The life of a nurse can be very hectic, so it’s no surprise that many will opt to grab a burger and fries from the local fast food joint, instead of finding a healthier option. Studies show that nurses and other healthcare professionals are at a higher risk for hypertension and heart disease, so it’s important to find healthier alternatives.
Packing a lunch is one of the best health tips for nurses because it allows them to carefully monitor what they’re eating each day.
3. Find An Active Hobby
There are a lot of extracurricular activities that you might want to engage in. From joining a local sports team, to finding a group of people that enjoy hiking on the weekends, an active hobby is a great way to interact with others while getting some much-needed exercise. Following health tips that will not only keep you active but will also allow you to interact with others is a great way to meet people.
Discover a talent or rekindle an old passion you may have had back in high school. These hobbies and activities can provide a much-needed break from the work week and allow many nurses to get healthy while having fun.
4. Focus On Personal Hygiene
Sometimes we are so busy helping others that we forget to take care of ourselves. It’s no shocker that healthcare professionals are more susceptible to colds and flu, so make sure that you’re practicing good hygiene and sanitary precautions inside and outside of work.
Taking a shower before your shift awakens your spirit (think about the cold jolt of shower water!), and gets you up and running for work. Meanwhile, showering after shift helps to freshen and remove any microorganisms that you may have come across during the shift. Either way, showering and overall cleanliness will make you feel better in general before or after a tough shift.
5. Don’t Forget About Mental Health
When making health resolutions, many nurses will forget about their mental health. You need some me time every once in a while, so make sure to take a break every now and then to just relax. Caregiver burnout is a serious issue, so it’s important that you focus on your mental health when you can.
Another way to focus on mental health is to find someone to confide in. Sometimes we just need someone to vent to, so find a family member or loved one that is willing to listen. Make sure to try and leave work-life at work, and home-life at home.
