9 Healthy Lifestyle Changes Nurses Can Make

Every nurse needs to make several healthy lifestyle changes to stay fit for the job. As nurses, we preach the virtues of a healthy lifestyle and instruct our patients in the art of maintaining their own well-being. However, many of us don’t put in as much effort to staying healthy, which affects us in the long run.

What healthy lifestyle changes should nurses make? Continue reading this post to find out.

Healthy Lifestyle Changes Nurses Can Make

Would you like to stay healthy as a nurse? Your overall health has significant effects on how well you deliver in your daily responsibilities. Here are nine healthy lifestyle changes nurses can make to stay fit on the job:

Say No to Cigarettes

Quitting smoking or stopping chewing tobacco can improve lung function and reduce the risk of developing cancer or cardiovascular disease. Cigarettes are not healthy due to the harmful aerosols they emit and the fact that they are just as addictive.

Exercise Regularly

You probably have this in mind even if you don't go to the gym regularly. However, exercising regularly is easier said than done. Despite being so difficult to add to our schedules, it is possible with a few reasonable adjustments. Doing this exposes us to several mental and bodily benefits. You can work with a schedule of strength training thrice a week and cardiovascular exercise twice weekly. 

Consume Healthy Fats

Not all fats are unhealthy. Some of them have great effects on your physical abilities. These fats are known as “healthy fats.” Ensure that you avoid "unhealthy" fats and consume more "healthy" fats. You can find healthy fats in food items like avocados, coconut oil, butter, extra virgin oil, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Love Yourself More

Developing an attitude of self-love and acceptance is a surefire way to boost your self-esteem. It also helps you to improve your outlook on life. With a healthy dose of self-love, you'll be better able to concentrate on the tasks at hand and complete them with dedication.

Learn to Say No When Tired

You are more prone to stress when you work on tasks that you are not keen on. Learning how to assert oneself by diplomatically saying "no" can help avoid unnecessary tension and conflict. You can begin by politely declining invitations from people or participating in activities when you feel uneasy or uninterested.

Create a Weekly Menu With a Few Easy Meals

The easiest way to make healthy meals is to plan for them. Write your shopping list a day before you head to the market. Put together a breakfast menu that you'll rotate between two healthy options every few days. For easy, protein-rich lunches and dinners, let a slow cooker handle the prep work for several chicken breasts, pork loin, or a beef roast.

Always Have a Backup Snack Bag

It doesn't matter how prepared you are, always put together a bag of snacks that will keep you going between meals. You should always have a small, non-melting energy bar on hand, like one made from dried fruit and ground nuts. Also, you can get by on a small bag of flavored almonds for an hour until you can find a proper meal. While sugary snacks may temporarily boost energy, they often leave you feeling drained once the sugar wears off.

Take a Lot of Water

In addition to the foods you select, it is also important to drink plenty of water as part of a healthy diet. When consumed first thing in the morning, it speeds up the metabolism, makes you feel full for longer, and keeps your joints lubricated, so you don't get hurt. Taking water frequently is essential for nurses as their work is quite draining.

Calm Yourself Down

Stress can make normal tasks seem more difficult. Happier day-to-day life can be achieved by taking steps to alleviate stressful situations and stress itself. Meditation, exercise, doing what you enjoy, participating in sports, and enjoying music or reading can all help alleviate stress, among many other things.

Conclusion

While working on yourself, you can tell your patient that you understand how challenging it can be to make healthy lifestyle changes and that you too are making an effort to eat better. Tell them about the measures you're taking, the difficulties you've faced, and the solutions you've found. This post has shown you some healthy lifestyle changes nurses can make. Which ones are you adopting today?

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