Nurses often find themselves on the go, and while they are always busy keeping up with their job duties and taking care of others, they often forget to take care of themselves. The good news is that staying fit and healthy on the road doesn’t have to be difficult – with a few small changes to your routine, you can easily set up an exercise routine in your motel room to help fight burnout and stay healthy while away from home.
Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy and fight burnout while travelling for work. You don’t need a gym or fancy equipment to get in a good workout. Simple exercises such as push-ups, squats, lunges, jumping jacks, crunches and planks can all be done without any additional equipment. Additionally, if you have limited space in your motel room, turn on some music and try some simple dance moves – this will help to keep your body moving and is also great for stress relief!
Exercise is an excellent way to reduce stress, improve mental clarity and boost energy levels – all of which are key for nurses who often find themselves working long shifts and dealing with stressful situations. Exercise also helps to reduce fatigue, improve focus and increase endorphin levels, leading to better overall physical and mental health.
If you want to take your exercise routine up a notch while travelling, consider bringing along some basic exercise equipment that can easily fit into your suitcase. Resistance bands are lightweight and easy to store in your suitcase. A jump rope is also a great way to get an aerobic workout on the go – it’s small enough to pack but provides a great cardio workout. And don’t forget about yoga mats – they can help provide cushioning for your workouts and make it easier to practice yoga or Pilates in your motel room.
Staying motivated can be a challenge when you’re away from home, but there are some simple strategies that can help. Set realistic goals for yourself – if you want to get in shape quickly, start with smaller goals such as exercising for 20 minutes per day – and set deadlines to ensure that you stick with them. Find ways to stay connected with friends and family back home so that you don’t feel isolated while travelling. And finally, don’t forget to reward yourself once you reach your goals – this will help motivate you to keep going!
Exercise is an important part of staying healthy while travelling for work, but it’s not the only way. Eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water are all key components to maintaining good health. Additionally, make sure you take time to relax and unwind during your travels – practice mindfulness or meditation, journal or read a book. All of these activities will help you stay refreshed and energized so that you can perform at your best when it comes time to do your job.
Nurse burnout is a real problem – but with some simple lifestyle changes such as setting up an exercise routine in your motel room, you can fight fatigue and keep yourself healthy and productive while travelling for work. So don’t let burnout stop you from doing the job you love – get moving and make sure you take care of yourself!
References:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5494343/.
2. https://www.verywellfit.com/how-to-stay-motivated-to-exercise-while-traveling-4110950/.
3. https://ummhealthconnectionblog.org/dealing_with_burnout_as_a_nurse/.
4. https://www.scrubsmag.