Jan 02, 2024

10 Healthy Habits for Travelers in the New Year

The beginning of a new year marks a perfect opportunity to reassess habits and incorporate small yet impactful changes to enhance your overall wellbeing. Here are 10 manageable healthy habits tailored for travel nurses and traveling healthcare professionals that can make a significant difference in your life and positively impact you in your profession.

1. Prioritize Sleep: Establish a consistent sleep schedule despite changing locations or unconventional work times. Invest in quality earplugs, an eye mask, or white noise machines to ensure better sleep in unfamiliar environments. Set a bedtime that works for your schedule, that allows you a proper amount of sleep, and stick to it.
2. Soak in the Sun Outdoors: Make it a point to spend time outdoors whenever possible, even if it’s just a short walk around the block or finding a park nearby during your work breaks. Exposure to natural light not only helps regulate your circadian rhythm but also boosts your mood and vitamin D levels.
3. Meal Planning: Organize your schedule and plan meals in advance. This can help you make healthier choices and reduce stress during busy workdays. Creating a weekly meal plan before grocery shopping can keep you on track, reduce impulse junk food purchases, and also save money!
4. Healthy Snacking: Prepare healthy snacks to avoid relying on vending machines or treats from coworkers during long shifts. Nuts, fruits, protein bars, cheese sticks or pre-cut veggies are all easy options to pack in your work bag.
5. Mindful Eating: Take time to savor and enjoy your meals. Practice mindful eating by focusing on and enjoying each bite, which can help prevent overeating and aid digestion.
6. Move Regularly: Incorporate short bursts of exercise throughout the day. Take the stairs, do stretching exercises, or go for short walks during breaks to stay active.
7. Stress Management: Develop stress relieving techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga that you regularly do outside of work. Indulge in small self-care rituals like taking baths or reading. For more stress management techniques check out our blog post on nurturing mental health and wellbeing.
8. Mindful Technology Use: Be mindful of your screen time, especially during downtime. Limit exposure to screens before bedtime to improve sleep quality. Consider implementing a daily digital detox time where you disconnect from devices to relax, read a book, or engage in other non-screen-related activities, to allow your mind to unwind and recharge.
9. Practice Gratitude Daily: Incorporate a daily gratitude practice into your routine. Whether through journaling or simply taking a moment to reflect, acknowledging things you’re grateful for can shift your perspective, reduce stress, and enhance overall wellbeing.
10. Stay Connected: Nurture your social connections. Stay in touch with family, friends, and colleagues, even if you’re in a new location. Social support is crucial for mental and emotional wellness.

By incorporating these small yet impactful habits into your routine, you’ll not only enhance your own wellbeing but also contribute to delivering better care to your patients. Remember, consistency is key, and these habits, when practiced regularly, can make a significant difference in your life as a travel nurse or traveling healthcare professional throughout the new year and beyond.

If you’re searching for your next travel healthcare position in the new year, Aequor’s dedicated recruiters are ready to help. Utilize Aequor’s self-service talent portal to browse jobs and get connected with a recruiter who is ready to help you reach your New Year professional goals.

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