Eating a well-balanced diet and getting regular exercise are two staple recommendations a travel nurse makes to his or her patients. Admittedly, offering up this suggestion can quickly feel redundant and unnecessary. Perhaps you start to think, "Doesn't everyone already know the importance of physical activity?" or "If my patients aren't exercising now, my suggestions won't help."
Don't get discouraged by a lack of response. As a healthcare professional, it's absolutely vital that you continue to advocate for regular exercise among your patients. Here's why:
If not you, then who?
As a travel nurse, you are a trusted healthcare professional, and as such, you have a lot of authority over topics like physical activity. "You need to regularly exercise" holds more weight for patients when it comes from you compared to friends or family members. What you recommend truly matters, even if patients don't outright commit to a new exercise regimen.
Additionally, since you have so much background knowledge on the patient's health, you are in a position to provide safe and effective recommendations. For instance, if you know your patient has arthritis, you might suggest he or she does low-impact exercises like water aerobics or working on an elliptical to take some of the pressure off his or her joints. Meanwhile, for an expecting mother, you can explain how exercising can make her feel better overall by reducing back pain, promoting sleep and boosting energy.
Disease prevention
Exercise is an important aspect in disease prevention, which is one of the goals of travel nurses. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity can lower one's risk for cardiovascular conditions like heart disease and stroke – both of which are leading causes of death in the U.S. This is because exercise helps regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which in turn contributes to a healthier heart and overall well-being.
Mood-boosting benefits
You've probably heard of "runner's high." This feel-good moment isn't a myth. According to the Mayo Clinic, working out stimulates endorphins that control your mood and can help you feel happy and relaxed. Plus, hitting a weight loss goal or getting toned can boost your self-esteem, delivering even more positive vibes.
Mental health plays a major role in patients' quality of life and physical well-being. As a travel nurse, you can kill two birds with one stone by recommending regular exercise. Not only does it provide mood-boosting benefits, but it helps fight stress, which can bring other bodily benefits. As the National Institutes of Health noted, chronic stress can lead to digestive problems, sleep disturbances and a higher risk for sickness.
Live longer
The CDC also pointed out that regular physical activity can expand life expectancy. Those who exercise an hour a day each week – or simply seven hours total – can reduce their risk of premature death by 40 percent compared to those who only exercise for half an hour or less each week. It doesn't take much to achieve these benefits – just 50 minutes of physical activity three days each week can yield incredible results for patients.
Physical activity transcends age
Travel nurses encounter a wide variety of patients, but whether you're caring for a 7-year-old or a senior, you can still encourage regular exercise. No matter the patient's age, size or ethnicity, he or she can still benefit from staying active.
Of course, you'll just have to switch up how you go about those recommendations. For instance, when speaking with kids, you might not tell them to hit the gym three times a week. Rather, you'd probably encourage them to get involved with their favorite sport. Meanwhile, seniors may be better served with balance exercises to reduce their risk for falls.
As a healthcare professional, it's important to consider patients' overall well-being, and exercise can usually help. Be sure to always encourage patients to regularly exercise.