July 8, 2024

1074 Views

Cultivating a Balanced Lifestyle for Traveling Nurses

Posted on July 8, 2024June 13, 2024 by Miles Oliver

Working as a travel nurse is a gratifying career, but it can also be quite demanding. While you do great work, you mustn’t overdo it. Instead, you need to balance your life and take a holistic approach to wellness that considers your body and mind. Below, you will find 3 wellness tips for travel nurses to help you cultivate a balanced lifestyle.

Wellness Tips for Travel Nurses

Eliminating Stress Is Essential

Travel nursing is a great field, and you’re likely proud of the work you do, but caring only for others and never for yourself can wreak havoc on your life and health. Plus, you could lose the passion you once had, and your career could be cut short.

There are ways to reduce stress, but doing so will require some changes. Start by ensuring that you get enough sleep. It can be challenging during a long shift, but you must set boundaries and a schedule and ask that your supervisors honor it. Try to get at least seven hours of sleep. Make it a point to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day to maintain your circadian rhythm.

Remember to take breaks throughout the day to catch your breath. If you’re still stressed at the end of the day, write your feelings in a journal so they’re out of your system and don’t disrupt your sleep.

Find Ways To Balance Hobbies

As a travel nurse, you also need to have a balanced lifestyle so you can enjoy the hobbies you love the most. Whether it’s gardening, puzzles, reading the newspaper, or playing a sport, doing what makes you happy when you get the chance will help you feel better overall. Finding harmony between work and fun is essential so you have something to look forward to, and your daily schedule isn’t quite as taxing.

You may believe that you don’t have any time for fun, but that’s not the case. You just need to have a plan for balancing your work and hobbies. One way is to schedule time for your leisurely pursuits. Set a reminder on your phone or make it a point to do what you love and tell your job that you’re unavailable during that time. You could also try to combine hobbies with other activities. So, if you like to ride your bike, consider riding it to work. On the way home, ride on a trail through the park.

Traveling a lot may also make it difficult to have typical hobbies, but you should know that there are many hobbies you can do on the go. Your hobby could be taking pictures at different places or collecting items at each stop, like postcards or magnets. If you’re visiting a new culture, your hobby could also be learning a new language.

Take Care Of Your Physical Health

Your hobbies will help keep your mind in check, but you must also balance your life and make time to care for your physical well-being. For starters, drinking enough water during the day is crucial because water will give you energy while also helping to fight off headaches and fatigue. You can be sure you get enough water by carrying around a water bottle so you can drink throughout the day.

You also need to take your breaks and have lunch each day, and you need to choose healthy foods. Choosing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and milk products is a good idea here.

Having a solid self-care routine is also a good way to take care of yourself while prioritizing your physical health. As a travel nurse, you may want to opt for a simple Japanese skincare routine that combines lightweight cleansers and moisturizers with techniques like patting and massaging to increase blood flow to the surface of your skin. Since this type of skincare emphasizes using higher quality products over high quantities of products, it’s also perfect for nurses on the go.

Conclusion

While you may be a travel nurse who’s constantly on the go, you still need to take time to create a healthy balance in your life. Consider these wellness tips for travel nurses, and you’ll be happier and healthier overall.

We hope you found this article on wellness tips for travel nurses helpful. Do you have any wellness tips for travel nurses you would like to share? Please comment them below.

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By Gifted Healthcare

August 4, 2022

1604 Views

National Wellness Month: Wellness Tips for Every Travel Nurse

Posted on August 4, 2022August 3, 2022 by Gifted Healthcare

Gifted Healthcare provided this article.

Your overall wellness is important to help you live a higher quality of life, and as a travel nurse, this becomes even more of a priority while on assignment.

Everything we do, from work to bedtime routines, and every emotion we feel throughout the days contribute to our overall well-being. It is this same well-being that directly affects human actions and emotions, so the cycle all ties into one another. Prioritizing your overall wellness will help manage stress, reduce the risk of illness and aid positive interactions and feelings throughout your life.

Wellness is determined by a variety of categories, including environmental, mental, physical, social, spiritual, financial, intellectual, and occupational. We are diving into some of these categories and focusing on how you can enhance your wellness as a travel nurse.

Environmental Wellness

As a travel nurse, your environment is changing regularly, and as exciting as a new environment is, it is also a shift in your routines and alters your atmosphere. As you prepare for a new travel contract, you can prioritize your wellness in prep for the transition.

Pack Extra Days for Your Move

Include extra days in your moving timeline leading up to your first shift, so you have plenty of time to make your new place feel like home. An unpacked and organized environment benefits your environmental wellness and will help you feel prepared for your new assignment.

Create Space for You

While unpacking, try to set up a spot in your home where you can retreat after work. Maybe it’s an outdoor oasis with twinkle lights or a comfy chair and blanket set up by a window for a reading nook. Whatever helps you decompress, prioritize that area of your space because a pleasant and stimulating environment supports your well-being.

Explore Your New Neighborhood

Extra time will also give you a chance to adjust to your new community. Explore your coffee shop options, find a local park, or map out your commute to get a feel for your surroundings. Having these little familiarities will make a huge difference as you transition to a new assignment.

Another big environment that is changing is your work environment. Give yourself a little grace as you adjust to navigating the floor, locating the nurses’ station, or getting lost looking for the bathroom. These are all things that come with time.

Mental Wellness

Your mental and emotional wellness has a large impact on your overall attitude and outlook toward life. This is a huge factor in your overall wellness and can ebb and flow over time. Your mental wellness will help you cope effectively, establish a positive self-regard, and create satisfying relationships in your day-to-day. Here are some tips to help your mental wellness while traveling.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. There are a variety of ways to practice it, so start with some trial and error to see what works best for your body and mind.

If your brain is busy planning, problem-solving, daydreaming, or thinking negative thoughts, you can feel drained. It also adds levels of stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression to your day. Take time each day to practice mindfulness exercises such as meditation, breathing, guided imagery, and more to relax your mind and body.

Check out these five simple practices for daily life to get started.

Self-Care Days

Along the lines of mindfulness, a self-care day can go a long way in easing your chaotic thoughts. Set aside time on a day off to go on a long walk, listen to a relaxing podcast, pamper yourself, or anything else that helps ease your mind and allow you to recover. Even if it is just 30 minutes you set aside, this will help chip away at the stress our bodies build up over time.

Talk It Out

In a world where virtual therapy is more commonly accessible, take advantage of it. Through the ups and downs of your personal life, shift experiences, and travel schedule, a therapist, is a great outlet to put yourself first and prioritize your needs. Don’t let your mental wellness get lost in the shuffle of your other priorities.

If a therapist is not available, rely on your loved ones for a little bit of time here and there to let your feelings out.

Physical Wellness

Physical wellness is not just about working out; it is about your body’s need for physical activity, healthy nutrition, and sleep. While adjusting to your new travel assignment, start to navigate your workout, eating, and sleep routines so you can feel balanced during the transition.

Find Your Workout Spot

Research local gyms and fitness studios near your house or hospital, depending on what time of day you prefer to move. Many studios offer a first-class free or some type of trial period membership, so don’t limit yourself to places you recognize from other cities. There might be a workout that is brand new to you and ends up being your favorite way to work out!

You also shouldn’t limit yourself just to the gym. Venture around the area and look for local trails to hike, parks for running and walking, or outdoor excursions to try for a change of scenery.

Eat Local, Cook at Home

A huge perk of travel nursing is exploring parts of the country you might have never been to before, and with that comes local produce and food. Hit up farmer’s markets to experience local vendors and culinary items that the town or state is known for.

Pack a cookbook with you and use your new favorite farmer’s market items to make some home-cooked meals. Cooking not only soothes your mind, but it’s a way to nourish your body and promote physical wellness. The best part is packing the leftovers for your next shift!

Stick to a Sleep Schedule

Whether you are working day shift, night shift, or a combo of both, your sleep as a nurse has to be a priority. Sleep improves your mood, regulates your blood sugar, improves your mental function, relieves stress, enhances athletic performance, and so many other bodily functions. You can help yourself in this area by setting up a successful sleep environment.

Depending on how you prefer to sleep, there are a variety of ways to control your sleep environment like the temperature, lighting, noise level, etc. If it helps you, pack an eye mask, turn on white noise, blast the ac, or read a book before bed. All of these options will help soothe your mind and body for a restful night’s sleep.

Having a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system goes a long way with your social wellness. While traveling, you might feel a void where those connections used to be, so you will need to actively seek social interactions to enhance your social wellness while living in a new city.

Connect With Friends from Home

If you are traveling alone, connecting with your friends and loved ones while on your assignment will make you feel more at home. Share the exciting experiences of your new town with friends over a FaceTime catch-up, or send pictures to your parents so they can live vicariously through your adventures. These little moments will enhance your social wellness.

Connect With Patients

One of the coolest things about nursing in general, but specifically travel nursing, is that you are helping people that you would have most likely never even met outside of the hospital. Every patient at your bedside has a story, a life they have lived, the advice they would give, etc. Embrace the moments you have with patients to connect with strangers and feel the impact that one conversation can have on both you and your patient.

Take Yourself Out

Time with yourself can be social too. It doesn’t always have to be a home-cooked meal. Research the local hot spot restaurants and create a bucket list of menus you want to try. Check out upcoming concerts, free events, and more to connect socially with your assignment city. Being around the social atmosphere and taking it all in can improve your social wellness as well.

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:

START HERE

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

By Daniel Wanderson

February 20, 2022

5437 Views

Brighten Your Day: Ways to Feel Better and Improve Your Mood

Posted on February 20, 2022December 19, 2023 by Daniel Wanderson

We might not understand it yet, but we live during times when people’s happiness is a priority. We have all the tools and tricks to make us feel better each day, even though life might be stressful at times. Moreover, we have access to science-based information to see the proof that these methods work.

This means that you can use scientifically based ways to make you feel happier, and they will work. The ways described below are focused on boosting hormones responsible for people’s happiness, satisfaction, and overall good mood. These hormones are endorphin, oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. Let’s check out some ways you may use to feel better.

Endorphin Boosters

Everyone knows that endorphins trigger pleasant feelings and reduce the feelings of pain. So here are some ways to boost your endorphins and become happier.

Exercise

Sport and physical activity shape your body, and you become healthier. After several weeks of exercising, you will notice that you look a lot better (in case you haven’t been exercising at all before). This alone will make you feel happier, but that’s not the point. Exercising boosts endorphins.

The hormone reduces your perception of pain and triggers the positive feeling in your body, almost like dulling the pain with morphine but in a pleasant way. If you exercise correctly, you get a beautifully shaped body; you will become overall healthier, boosting endorphins. To exercise correctly, you have to combine various exercises. Training only one type of muscle is counterproductive. Try to vary your exercises, so all muscles work.

Laughter

Not just randomly producing the “haha” sound, you have to enjoy something. It’s quite a pleasant way to become happier, but you need to find ways that make you laugh. Laughter stimulates endorphins since it convulses your innards. It’s believed that laughter helps release fear. Instead of fearing something, you may find something amusing and start laughing. You can watch your favorite episodes of TV-series, videos on YouTube, read funny stories, etc.

Stretching

First of all, it feels so good that it makes you instantly happier. Second, it’s easy to stretch so it won’t disrupt your everyday routine. You may stretch your back, arms, and legs while working or watching your favorite TV-series, you can stretch while waiting for someone, talking to someone over the phone, etc.

It’s not at all necessary to push yourself harder to feel the pain. The point is to stretch those muscles you have neglected before. That’s how you get your endorphins boosted. You can start by performing simple stretching exercises and then proceed with more advanced things.

Oxytocin Boosters

Oxytocin is a hormone that is often related to love, friendship, and social bonding. Boosting oxytocin will make you feel better, so here are some ways to improve your mood.

Massage

Getting a massage is a surprisingly effective way to trigger the production of oxytocin in your body. If you think it might become an expensive habit, you are not quite right. There are at least 2 ways to save your money and still get the best massage:

Find a massage buddy.
Watch videos to learn how to perform self-massage (very effective).

It’s good at triggering oxytocin production, and what is even better, it’s a pleasant habit, and you will fall for it after the first try.

Trust

Oxytocin is responsible not just for the feeling of love (including maternal love), friendship, but for social bonding as well. Being able to trust someone triggers oxytocin in your body. If you have several individuals you can completely trust, doesn’t that make you happy? Exactly, it does, that’s the point!

If you have someone you want to trust, but you can’t, this person should be your target. It doesn’t mean you have to trust this person for the sake of trusting. Try building trust by starting conversations. If all goes well, proceed with turning this person into someone you trust, maybe, even a friend. That will help you get rid of negative emotions and will trigger the production of oxytocin.

Be Trustworthy

In a similar vein, when you trust someone, the feeling that someone trusts you also triggers oxytocin production. It’s an amazing feeling when people trust you, even if those people are not your friends or family members.

To boost the production of oxytocin, you may think of situations when people trust you. One of the best ways to do so is to honor your commitments. If you have some tasks to do, and people rely on you, a job well done would be a great oxytocin booster. You don’t have to accomplish great deeds, just small things that help you build trust every day.

Dopamine Boosters

Here are some ways to boost the level of dopamine.

Cope With Unpleasant Tasks

Everyone has it, everyone dreads even to start dealing with such a task, but you will eventually have to deal with it. The best way to make you happier is to dedicate several minutes a day to deal with it. You won’t even notice it when it’s over, and you will become happier.

Reach a Goal

In a similar vein, you may reach success by dedicating several minutes a day to complete a task. It may be learning a new language, reading a book, getting into better physical shape, working with websites like dota2-bets, etc.”. It takes less time, but the results will be amazing and satisfying.

Celebrate Every Victory

We don’t get a Ph.D. every day, but we have to be happy when gaining smaller victories. We all tend to concentrate even on small losses; why not celebrate small victories instead? Just think of one small accomplishment you have reached today, and celebrate it!

Serotonin Boosters

This hormone is responsible for such feelings as happiness, the feeling of well-being, and even boosts your confidence. Below you may find some pleasant ways to trigger the production of serotonin.

Make Peace with Lack of Control

If everything is under control, we feel happy. Even if you are the least control-seeking person, you will still be happy that your everyday routine is not disrupted. Lack of control over something confuses us; we have no idea what to do, which makes us feel worse. But it’s important to understand that we can’t control everything. Instead of feeling confused or scared when something is out of your control, it’s best to cope with the fact that you can’t control everything.

That way, you feel happier since whenever something extraordinary happens, you won’t feel like it’s the end of the world. You will feel safe, not scared. The best way to train your brain to be ready is to do things you are not used to. For example, if you love when everything is neat and in order, create chaos around you. Or, if you love baking your cookies due to the recipe, throw out the recipe and bake cookies without it.

Always Enjoy Your Social Role

Your social position may keep changing over time, so get used to this thought and enjoy every moment. You may think that being a subordinate is a bad thing, but dominant positions also may be confusing. As a result, you are not satisfied in both situations. Whether you are in a subordinate or a dominant position, think about the advantages of your current position. It will help you be happy and satisfied that you have advantages while being in a current position. Just enjoy every day!

Enjoy Being Proud of Something

Being acknowledged is a good feeling, but it’s a bit tricky. Everyone loves getting praised for doing something, but if not, no disappointments. It’s a tricky way to boost your serotonin level, but you can try it anyway. If it works – good, if not – it doesn’t kill you, don’t get disappointed.

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!)

By Lori Boggan

September 11, 2021

7129 Views

Wellness on the Road

Posted on September 11, 2021January 26, 2023 by Lori Boggan

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 Gayatri Regester

May 3, 2021

4767 Views

Wellness for Warriors in Healthcare

Posted on May 3, 2021May 19, 2021 by Gayatri Regester

Wellness Warriors

As healthcare professionals, we give so much to others. For the longevity of our service to others, we must begin to give care also to ourselves.

From a place of contentment, happiness, even-mindedness, and inspiration, we are more equipped to handle stressful situations without burnout. And when we have faith in something bigger than ourselves, we carry hope even in the most difficult circumstances.

So how do we feel contentment? Even-mindedness? Happiness?

For me, it was the spiritual teaching taught by Swami Kriyananda*, “we cannot change our circumstances, but we can change how we respond to them.” The realization that I consciously have the choice to respond positively or negatively to people and circumstances. Whenever I choose to react negatively- say to get upset, hold a grudge, or some other contractive reaction, I do not feel good. On the flip side, when I choose to see compassion in others, not to let a situation rattle my inner peace, or to remain joyful even in difficult circumstances, I have a feeling of lightness.

The freedom comes from realizing that nothing and no one can affect your inner self-, the Self that is always joyful, always in a state of peace and calmness, always heart opened and filled with love. To live beyond the present moment and into the eternal now.

Swami Kriyananda explains superconscious living as “to trust one’s life to the flow of a higher wisdom.” I invite each of you to take a vow of superconscious living inwardly. Take action and see how your life is transformed!

Vow of Superconscious Living

To be true to your higher, Superconscious Self.
To be a channel of light, of blessing and love to all
To live in joy, not sorrow;
In truth, not error;
In victory, not failure
To blame no one in adversity but yourself,
And then, instead of blame, To accept responsibility,
With God’s help,
To change yourself.

*Ananda is a worldwide movement to help individuals realize the joy of their own higher Self. Ananda is based on Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings and was founded by his direct disciple Swami Kriyananda in 1968.

Thank you Wellness Warriors for all you do and are doing. We hope you found this article informational. Stay tuned for more articles from Gayatri.

By Candice Hubbard

June 13, 2020

7333 Views

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

Posted on June 13, 2020May 19, 2021 by Candice Hubbard

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.

By Janelle

January 29, 2019

8755 Views

Living a Balanced Life in a Chaotic Surrounding

Posted on January 29, 2019November 10, 2023 by Janelle

For twelve hours a day, three days a week, I talk. I talk to co-workers, Physicians, patients, patient’s families, pharmacists, lab technicians, Volunteers, and whoever else would like to present themself in the Labor and Delivery unit. I discuss the process of labor, the reason you are having tests, the reason you are pregnant, the technology we are using, pros and cons of certain therapies versus others. Some days I come home to the faint cries of newborns, screams of mothers, and beeping of machines still inside my head. So how do we turn this off? How do we silence those alarms in our minds? How do we debrief? How do you live a balanced life?

For most nurses, the constant ring of alarms is considered normal for coming home from a long shift, but is it? As Travel Nurses, we add the stress of being in new hospitals, new towns, new states, new policies… every thirteen weeks; that has to make us clinically nuts… right? Though I am not an experienced traveler yet, I would like to place some input on maintaining a balanced life in our crazy, gypsy lifestyle.

1. Get Outside.

I have read various studies that suggest hiking and being outside (disconnecting from technology) can make even the most depressed person happy. (I will include a link to a Huffington Post article here, but if you have an interest in more articles, please feel free to reach out)

2. Eat a Balanced Diet.

Friends, it’s true, you have to take care of your body! Even when traveling. Some of my favorite snacks, especially for flights or road trips, are:

Olive snack bags: they are sold at many grocery stores and don’t contain water, so they are perfect for flights.
Mama Chia snack packs: a yummy and fruity quick snack.
String Cheese
Kombucha: Not really flight acceptable unless you spend the $12 at the airport, but I love having it on the road.

3. Take a Moment of Silence.

This is a little different than pouring libations for your homies. Before my shift, I give myself a little time to wake up. I put on some soft jams in the morning and make my coffee. I am not a huge breakfast person, but sometimes I will snack on fruit. In any event, I give myself the time to wake up and SIT. No phone, no computer… nothing but me, my French press and some music. It lets me prepare mentally for whatever my shift will bring.

4. Make a Decision.

Your day is your choice. Every day. Every time. Choose to have a good day or a bad day. Choose to be affected or not to be.

5. Have a Hobby.

In this assignment, I really started to get into climbing. It’s a good way to feel 8 years old and not judged by it. You get to climb and play on stuff, and it’s totally NORMAL. But find something you can dive into. Yoga, pottery, drawing, painting… have an outlet where your mind can release, and you are not bothered by the chaos of work.

6. Have a Hiding Place.

Sometimes at work, I just need TWO MINUTES to step away. My go-to is usually a bathroom, to be honest. It’s SO quiet in there. I lock the door, place my index and thumb over my earlobes and rub my earlobes. This is weird, BUT I learned this once at a holistic medical conference. It is supposed to help you relax. I tried to GOOGLE some research on this, and it appears it is very little… so maybe it’s a fable, but it helps me, so Why Not?

7. Drop Your Day at the Door.

I find it funny, our profession. Even on the WORST DAYS, we get out of work, and all we can do is talk about work. We obsess. Either has a rule where you can vent to a friend for about 15 minutes max, or drop your day at the door. You did the best you could. The shift is over, and you can’t fix or change it.

I hope these pointers are helpful! Let me know if you have any fun tips on living a balanced life. And most importantly, “Keep on keeping on” fellow Gypsies!

Want more information on travel nursing?

Check out our Travel Nurse Guide

By Lori Boggan

January 11, 2019

12980 Views

Gypsy Yoga for First Day Nerves

Posted on January 11, 2019April 20, 2022 by Lori Boggan

Are you trying to find a way to relax before your First Day? Check out this sample of Gypsy Yoga to ease your First Day Nerves.

Hi Gypsies! I’m writing this on a flight from London to Gothenburg. I am in near panic mode post take off. I have a bit of flying anxiety (take off) and rely on my breath (among other things) to keep me calm. It is a similar feeling to the healthy stress one feels on the first day of a new assignment. Each time we start a new assignment, we walk into the unknown. Will it be a good fit? Will the staff be friendly, helpful? What will the docs be like? What will the policies be like?

I was drawn to yoga over 15 years ago while in the trenches of nursing school. I am by nature a fairly hyper person. Yoga keeps me grounded. It has helped me stay balanced and it begins with the breath. I hope some of you can benefit as well.

The breath has a profound effect on our well being. Every time we inhale we fill the lungs with oxygen rich air that circulates throughout the body. With every exhale we rid the body of carbon dioxide. A deep, even breath washes the autonomic nervous system with calm. Most of us don’t even use close to our potential long capacity. Have you ever noticed the changes that occur in your breath when you are stressed versus calm and relaxed?

What is Yoga and Who Can Practice?

Yoga is an ancient Indian philosophical practice of breath and postures dating back to as early as 5000 B.C. to 300 A.D. In whatever form it is found, yoga has at it’s center the breath as the guide. Yoga is for everyone. There are no prerequisites to practice. It is not a religious practice. According to BKS Iyengar (Guruji), yoga is “a deliverance from contact with pain and sorrow.” It’s a moving meditation that’s goal is to relieve the mind of it’s internal chatter and thus suffering.

We will practice one pose in our first ever Gypsy Yoga practice. It is a pose enjoyed by those new to yoga and those with years of practice under their belt. It is typically practiced at the end of any traditional hatha yoga class, although I sometimes start and end my classes with it when I teach. While this pose is safe, if you have any medical condition that you are unsure could be affected by practicing, talk with your physician before practicing. I will give modifications as we delve deeper into future posts.

What you Need

All you need is a small space to practice. I have unrolled my mat in many a hotel room. As you can see from the photos, I practice in my living room 🙂 You will need a yoga mat, beach towel, or blanket, and a small, rolled hand towel. Wear loose fitting pants and a tshirt. Pajamas work too. Dim the lights or use natural light from a window.

One Pose: Savasana (Corpse Pose)

We begin with one simple, but powerful pose. This pose is sometimes considered even more challenging than a more advanced pose like standing on one’s head (Sirsasana) because it insists the student be still and relax. Let’s give it a try. Lie down on your mat, beach towel, or blanket. You can place a small rolled hand towel under your neck (optional) to maintain the natural curve in your neck. If you have any discomfort in your low back, place a rolled blanket or a pillow under your knees. Draw your shoulder blades in and down your back. Soften your shoulders down and away from your ears. Broaden across your collar bones. Soften your jaw, soften the muscles in your neck. Stretch your arms out alongside your body, palms facing up. The upper arms should rotate externally. Stretch your legs long along your mat and allow your ankles to fall naturally to the side.

Close your eyes. Begin to bring your awareness to your breath. Observe your breath. Is it short and choppy or is it even and smooth? Smooth, even breath is the goal. Begin inhaling and exhaling deeply through your nose. Inhale for a count of four, hold your breath for a count of four, and exhale for a count of four. Repeat this 10-20 times. As you focus all your awareness on the breath, allow those first day jitters to just pass you by. Can you let go of any expectations of your new assignment, let go of any negative reviews you may have read, let go of expectations of yourself? All will be exactly as it should. Can you be present in this very moment with only your breath as a guide? Continue breathing in and out of the nose now, trying to lengthen each inhale and exhale.

Try to stay at least 2-3 minutes in this pose, ideally longer. Practice just before heading out the door on your first day. It is a simple pose, but when done with commitment and intention can have a profound effect on your day. This pose can relieve headache, insomnia, depression, and helps lower the blood pressure.

From Savasana, draw your knees into your chest, rolling to your right side in a fetal position. Take a few more deep breaths From here, press yourself slowly up to a comfortable seat. Bring your hands together to your forehead in honor of right thoughts, to your lips in honor of right speech, and to your heart in honor of right intention.

Stay tuned for future Gypsy Yoga posts! Best of luck on your first day!!! Namaste!!

By movemofitness

December 26, 2018

12060 Views

Travel Nursing Fitness Tips

Posted on December 26, 2018May 20, 2021 by movemofitness

Traveling nurses move from city to city months at a time. You can’t really expect to eat whatever you want, not exercise and have your body be okay with it. I know it can be easy to pick up on regular exercise right after moving to a new home, but you have to make your health a priority; otherwise, as a travel nurse, you will compromise your happiness and eventually work.

The Struggle is Real

How many times have you heard something like this: “I ate so much on my vacation I think I gained like 5 lbs”? Or maybe something like, “I didn’t work out at all during my trip, so I’m going to have to start exercising again.” Statements like these are typical for those who travel every once in a while, but these don’t really work for those in the traveling nurse field.

Fitness Tips for Travel Nurses… there are options!

So for all you traveling nurses, here are a couple quick travel nursing fitness tips for maintaining healthy fitness levels while on the road:

Yelp! A Gym As Soon As You Can

In addition to looking up some of the best restaurants in your new neighborhood, take some time to look up nearby gyms that you can join as soon as you arrive. Trust me, if you can spend a couple of seconds on your iPhone looking up 4+ star restaurants on yelp! You can easily take a couple more seconds to search local gyms in the area.

Not a gym fan? Why not kickbox or dance it up?

These days, disliking the gym is not an adequate excuse for no exercise. There are plenty of different types of fitness classes and fun, challenging, and great activities for raising your fitness levels and know-how. Some of these include martial arts (kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing), dance (salsa, hip hop, modern, ballet), and yoga. If you’re adventurous enough to be a travel nurse, then signing up for a beginner’s class in martial arts or dance should be a walk in the park.

The Home Gym Alternative

Okay, we get it. You don’t want to do the gym thing and exercising with a random group of strangers in a yoga or dance class is not your thing either. Creating a home gym and doing bodyweight exercises is a great alternative to staying active and moving well. Just pack a set of resistance bands, invest in a suspension training cord, and set up some workout space in your home.

Wellness and Balance Over Fitness

Oftentimes people get caught up in wanting to lose 5-10 lbs or reducing pant size and think that the obvious solution is to eat healthier and exercise more. To achieve a life of wellness, the solution isn’t just about greater fitness and a healthy diet. It requires a commitment to achieving balance and prioritizing health and fitness in your life. This means eating well and exercising in ways that make you feel happy and balanced.

Don’t overdo your diet or your exercise program because you’ll burn out fast, but don’t go too easy on yourself, or else it’ll take a long time to see progress. Work towards balance, and your pathway to wellness and fitness will be a little easier.

As a traveling nurse, living a life of fitness and wellness is a difficult path.

More often you are expected to take care of the health of others. Who is going to take care of yours? We hope that this personal responsibility falls a little easier with the tips described above.

If you have any questions or comments about these fitness tips, please feel free to email me at matthew@movemofitness.com.

Wellness Tips for Travel Nurses

Eliminating Stress Is Essential

Find Ways To Balance Hobbies

Take Care Of Your Physical Health

Conclusion

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

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Environmental Wellness

Pack Extra Days for Your Move

Create Space for You

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Mental Wellness

Practice Mindfulness

Self-Care Days

Talk It Out

Physical Wellness

Find Your Workout Spot

Eat Local, Cook at Home

Stick to a Sleep Schedule

Social Wellness

Connect With Friends from Home

Connect With Patients

Take Yourself Out

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

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Endorphin Boosters

Exercise

Laughter

Stretching

Oxytocin Boosters

Massage

Trust

Be Trustworthy

Dopamine Boosters

Cope With Unpleasant Tasks

Reach a Goal

Celebrate Every Victory

Serotonin Boosters

Make Peace with Lack of Control

Always Enjoy Your Social Role

Enjoy Being Proud of Something

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

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