Travel nursing is one of the most rewarding careers you could possibly imagine. But there’s no question that it also comes with its own unique set of challenges. From demanding work schedules to living a somewhat nomadic lifestyle – at least sometimes – it can take a toll on your well-being and your personal life.

So, it should come as no surprise that travel nurses are often at risk of feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and even disconnected. However, there are ways to cultivate peace while promoting your well-being, no matter your schedule or where you are in the world.

How Travel Nurses Can Cultivate Peace and Well-Being:

Be More Mindful

The practice of mindfulness is nothing new. In fact, it’s been used in different cultures for centuries as a way to stay grounded and focused on the present. Nowadays, many people use it to combat stress and even certain mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and trauma.

As a travel nurse, mindfulness gives you the opportunity to appreciate where you are and what you’re doing without focusing on past regrets or worrying about the future. By integrating mindfulness into your daily routine, you’ll feel less stressed and more grateful for the opportunities you’re given.

Close your eyes and focus on slow, deep breathing. Let thoughts pass you by like clouds you can’t grasp onto. Some people take advantage of mindfulness and meditation apps, which can get you into the right state of mind to relax and let go of your stress. Just a few minutes of mindfulness each day can help to improve your focus and maintain your mental well-being.

Stay Connected

Most travel nurses work on 13-week travel contracts. Even if you only go on one or two excursions per year, that’s a lot of time to be away from friends, family, and the things you’re familiar with.

The good news? Living in the 21st century, it’s easier than ever to stay connected to the people you love no matter where you are. Use that to your advantage and fight back against isolation and loneliness, which can negatively impact your mental and physical health. One of the best ways to stay connected is by calling and texting friends.

Social media is a fantastic way to stay updated with people in your life and update them on all of the exciting things you’re doing! But be sure to utilize it in healthy ways. Social media can also create comparison issues and even affect the way you see yourself. You’re exposed to quickly changing trends and people with unrealistic body standards. If you’re already feeling stressed, anxious, or sad about your situation, seeing these things can wreak havoc on your self-esteem and well-being. Use technology to stay connected and avoid giving in to the pressures of influencers and “Internet celebrities” with impossible beauty standards.

Find Your Passions

You’re not going to be working around the clock as a travel nurse. One of the greatest benefits of this career is the opportunity to explore new places and cultures. Be sure to take advantage of that by immersing yourself in local communities. Doing so is a great way to build new friendships and feel more at home. Eat where the locals eat. Explore markets. Go to shops that interest you. You might be surprised by the people you meet and the passions you share.

One of the easiest ways to foster connections is by spending time with other nurses and people you’re working with. When you’re home, attend conferences and conventions to meet new people who might share your next adventure.

You can also utilize technology to your advantage. Check out local travel nursing groups on social media and see if there are any people in your area who would be willing to spend time together.

Speaking of passions, don’t give up on the things you enjoy just because you’re away from home. Maintaining healthy hobbies is a great way to feel more connected to yourself and to reduce stress.

You can also use these experiences as an opportunity to foster new hobbies and build healthy routines. For example, consider spending more time in nature on your travels. Being outside is a fantastic way to bolster your well-being. Research has shown that spending time in nature can:

Boost your immune system;
Reduce stress;
Lower blood pressure;
Improve sleep;
Improve your mood.

Simply hiking, cycling, or finding new hobbies like outdoor photography can give you an appreciation for the great outdoors while taking care of yourself, too. Try picking one day a week to “reset” from the stress of your career and focus on spending more time outside that day, doing things you really enjoy.

Travel nursing will always present unique challenges. However, it is possible to find a healthy balance between a rewarding career and a peaceful personal life.

We hope you found this article on how travel nurses can cultivate peace and well-being helpful. Have you found ways to cultivate peace and well-being as a travel nurse? Comment them below.

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There is no denying that social media has grown to become an integral part of everyone’s life today. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, for example, are now immensely popular among both the millennials and the older generation. Coincidentally or otherwise, cases of mental disorders among young adults appear to increase with the increase of social media popularity. Well, we cannot authoritatively say that the two stats are correlated, but we cannot turn a blind eye either of them. That is why we are focusing on 6 possible relationships between social media and mental health, 3 being positive and 3 negative.

Social media helps us to find answers to problems that affect us, share our stories with people who are or who have been in the same situation as we are in, and to make new contacts. Of course, it is filled with people who understand and share our struggles, who are willing to be part of our support system. This is both inspiring and empowering and has a spiral effect on an individual’s improved mental health. Here is the evidence:

1. Fostering a sense of belonging

Social media is one large and welcoming community that gives every user some strong sense of belonging. Groups, for example, are formed by individuals who share a common belief, profession, or life challenge. That makes each member feel like they are an important part of a community.

How does this benefit your mental health? Well, according to a 1999 scientific study by the School of Nursing at the University of Michigan, a strong psychological sense of belonging can help you overcome depression and other mental health problems.

2. A repository of your fond memories

Social media has grown to become the repository of most people’s fondest memories. As a matter of fact, it is the main motivation behind most photos nowadays. Answer this as truthfully as possible: Would you be taking as many pictures as you do now if you weren’t on social media? Most likely, no!

The Instagram pictures you posted after a happy event, for example, will always be a constant reminder of your exciting past. If you are stressed or anxious prior to an interview, going through photos of your graduation on Facebook, for example, can help you relax and regain your lost self-belief. According to study findings published in nature.com on January 2019, positive memory reduces your chances of suffering depression and significantly boosts your mental health.

3. Enhancing better self-expression

When youths engage with one another on social media, they gain basic social and technical skills that help them to express themselves better and with more clarity. A guy who is attracted to a girl, for example, will have an easier time expressing his interest in the girl via social media chats than in face-to-face interaction. This form of self-expression wasn’t available before.

Cases of cyberbullying and social media trolls have been cited before as a cause of depression and a feeling of self-worthlessness amongst young people. There are also psychologists who argue that chronic sleep deprivation that social media users have can be detrimental to their health. Here are 3 more destructive aspects of social media in regards to your mental health:

1. Toxic comparison can lead to depression

A recent study that was published in a popular medical journal revealed that comparing your life with other people online can lead to depression, regardless of whether you are doing better than them or not. And with millions of photos being posted on a daily basis, you cannot help but compare your life to your friends as you scroll through your social media feeds. There have been numerous cases reporting to these issues, however, if you are struggling with depression, approaching an experienced life coach would help you find clarity and solve the problem.

2. Isolation

Brian Primack and other researchers at the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine recently found out that overusing it can leave you feeling socially-disconnected from the real world. This form of social isolation leads to depression and when unattended for long, encourages suicidal thoughts. That is according to a separate study by the Association for Psychological Science.

3. It is addictive

Internet and particularly social media addiction is real. ‘Facebook Addiction Disorder’ is very common nowadays; it causes mental preoccupation that can promote feelings of anxiety when the addicted individual stops using Facebook.

Are you wondering when online posts cross the HIPAA line? “Patient Gossip” When Do Social Media Posts Violate HIPAA has great tips to avoid HIPAA violations online.

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