Triage Healthcare Staffing provided this article.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and May 6 also just happens to be the start of Nurses Week. In honor of both, we’re putting together some tips to help maintain your mental health while on assignment. Taking care of yourself helps you avoid burnout, which is something everyone can use.
Travel Nurse Mental Health Tips:
Travel Nurse Mental Health Tip #1: Take Time for Yourself
You can’t take care of others if you aren’t taking care of yourself. And that means taking time to refresh and rejuvenate. But there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to self-care. For you, self-care might mean spending a night every week doing a face mask and pedicure, but for others, it could be visiting some of your temp location’s best restaurants. No matter what self-care means to you, make it a point to take some time for yourself.
Travel Nurse Mental Health Tip #2: Stay Connected with Family and Friends
When you’re far from home, you need to take extra steps to stay connected with your friends and family. Luckily, it’s easier than ever to keep in touch with folks back home with instant texting, video calls, and social media. If you’re able to, consider having a friend come visit for a couple of days so you can explore your temporary home with a buddy.
Travel Nurse Mental Health Tip #3: Stay Active
Mental and physical health are so closely related. As Elle Woods says, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy.” Whether you work out at the gym or stay active through hiking, staying active will elevate your mood and your mental health.
Travel Nurse Mental Health Tip #4: Take Advantage of Your Agency’s EAP
Most people don’t realize that their agency might offer an Employee Assistance Program. These programs offer free services for employees and dependents, without charge. You can use the EAP to help get you through a rough patch, and most EAPs will provide you with a handful of free counseling sessions with a local, licensed mental health professional. In many cases, the EAP is available through your agency, even if you don’t take advantage of health insurance or other benefits. And best of all, it’s all free and confidential.
Travel Nurse Mental Health Tip #5: Focus on a Healthy Diet
There’s no magic food that will improve your mood, but there are a few things that have been suggested to help. Fish like salmon or trout are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to improve brain health. Leafy greens like spinach and kale are rich in folate, which can help regulate moods. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and dark chocolate all contain antioxidants and can boost endorphins, which we know from Elle make you happy. Chocolate-covered blueberries, anyone? Lastly, make sure you stay hydrated. Hydration is key for cognitive function and can help decrease mood swings.
Avoiding burnout is key for all nurses, but especially for travel nurses who are living far from home. Use these tips to help keep yourself mentally healthy during Mental Health Awareness Month and every day of the year.
No matter what your specialty, Triage has travel nurse jobs in locations throughout the country. Visit the Triage website to find out more.
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