How to Stay Fit as a Nurse

One of the ironic things about being a nurse is that the job can make it hard for you to stay healthy. The long hours and physical demands of the profession can lead to poor health if you are not careful. Use the following guide to ensure you stay fit as a nurse.

1. Think About Yoga
If you work a 12-hour shift, the shift may feel like workout enough. However, you will be much better off if you do some other fitness activities especially on your days off. Yoga is a great addition to the nursing lifestyle. It will help you to stay flexible, and strengthens your core so your body can better handle the physical demands of the job better.

2. Strength Training
Another nice addition to a nurse’s fitness routine is to begin a regular strength training program. Two or three days of strength training every week will make a world of difference in your overall fitness. The strength-boosting benefits are incredible for people working in the physically-demanding nursing profession. When you begin a strength-training regimen, make sure you get help from a coach or trainer to learn proper lifting technique. Using bad form can lead to serious injuries that may prevent you from working.

3. Cardio Activities
As you undoubtedly learned soon after you started nursing school, being a nurse means that you are on your feet a lot. Most nurses walk many miles every shift, and this means that they need some cardiovascular fitness to handle the workload. You don’t have to spend all your time on the treadmill to boost your cardio though. Swimming, surfing, cycling, hiking, and martial arts training are all fun alternatives to get all the activity you need to keep your heart fit—as well as clear your mind.

4. Eat Right
Be a good example for your patients. Bring healthy snacks like fruits and veggies to work instead of getting junk food from the vending machines. Don’t skip breakfast, and prepare homemade lunches and dinners—there are many recipes for nutritious 30-minute meals. Eating right is a key component of staying fit. All the exercise in the world won’t help if you don’t eat a healthy diet that gives you energy.

Keep in mind that healthy habits are simple to understand but hard to follow sometimes. Allow yourself occasional lazy days or junk food splurges as mental health necessitates, but maintain an overall healthy lifestyle that will keep you fit for your nursing duties. For information about becoming a nurse, visit the link.