Whether it is cold and flu season or you’re just traveling to a new destination, eating healthy while on assignment and taking care of yourself is essential to your success as a travel nurse.
Flight attendants remind us to put oxygen masks on ourselves first, then help someone else. What if we did that in other aspects of our lives?
There’s something to be said for taking care of ourselves before others. As healthcare professionals, it is often challenging to remember in the midst of patient care. The reality is that if you’re not eating healthy and exercising regularly, you’re heading for your own health crisis.
Planning is essential to eating healthy while on assignment.
Whether it’s making sure your clothes for the next day are ready to wear or your meals are ready to grab and go, you’ve got to plan ahead.
- Crockpots are your friend. Frozen chicken breasts left simmering overnight make for a healthy addition to your salad or other meal. Try these 50 Slow Cooker Recipes for everything from vegetarian options to stew and everything in between. Recipes make enough for you and your family for a couple of nights or can be easily frozen so you don’t have to eat the same meal for a week at a time.
- Meal delivery services like Blue Apron or HelloFresh bring ingredients and recipes right to your doorstep and offer a variety of options.
- Grocery service and delivery are available from Amazon and Wal-Mart offer grocery shopping services through their Grocery App. Shop from the app and pick up the order at the designated time. Save your favorite items and the next order is even easier. Each offers organic options and healthier options than eating fast food or fries from the cafeteria. Local grocers may offer similar service.
Meal planning and keeping healthy snacks like protein bars, nuts, and fruit on hand will help you avoid the vending machines.
Think about your day differently.
Are you the kind of person who hops out of bed at the sound of your first alarm? Many of us aren’t those people; we need a reason to get up before the last second to get ready for work. What would happen if you thought about your day differently?
Instead of the alarm being a notice of needing to get to work, it is a chance to meditate, walk, or read a book for a few minutes? It could be inspiring and keep you focused throughout the day. Yoga offers breathing techniques that can help you stay grounded and calm even in the most stressful situations whether that’s fighting traffic or emergency medicine.
When it comes to eating healthy while on assignment, it helps to plan ahead and have a healthy mindset.
Ready to jump into a travel assignment? Check out our job postings to look for your perfect opportunity.
