Travel Nurse Mental Health: Taking Care of Yourself
Taking care of others can take its toll on nurses, but many don’t consider self-care important. But, it’s nearly impossible to effectively take care of others if you’re running on fumes yourself. It’s just like on an airplane when they tell you to put your own mask on before you’re able to help someone else. If you’re running low on oxygen, your brain will get foggy and even simple tasks like putting a mask on become more difficult.
The same can be said for nurses. All nurses, but especially travel nurses who may not have a big in-person support system, need to take care of themselves first so that they can effectively provide the best care for their patients. But how do you take care of yourself first when you’re used to being the caregiver?
Travel Nurse Mental Health Tip: Find a Safe, Comfy Place to Call Home
A safe, comfy place to call home temporarily is so important for self-care. If you’re worried about your safety or living next to noisy neighbors, you’re at risk of things like memory loss and physical ailments, like a higher risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, due to sleep deprivation.
If you work nights and need to sleep during the day, it might be best to rent an entire home from AirBnB, Vrbo or Furnished Finder so you don’t have many neighbors. Many places that cater to travel nurses will have blackout curtains, but if your bedroom doesn’t have any, it’s easy to install your own. Look for removable brackets that hang up with Command Strips and you can remove them before you leave without any damage.
If you’re in a hotel (nothing wrong with wanting that daily maid service), ask the management to place you in a room that’s in a rarely used corridor, if possible. If you ask politely and explain why (and you’re a long-term guest), chances are good that the staff will accommodate you.
Travel Nurse Mental Health Tip: Utilize Your Company’s EAP
You might not realize that your company offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). An EAP is usually a free benefit available to all employees, regardless of whether you enroll in the company’s other benefit programs.
EAP benefits vary by company, but they typically include free sessions with a counselor. These could be online via a service like Better Help or it could be face to face, depending on where you live and what counselors are available in your area. If you’re feeling stressed, reach out to your agency’s benefits department and check if they have an EAP you can use.
Travel Nurse Mental Health Tip: Watch What You Eat
People often say you are what you eat, and when you’re on the move, sticking to healthy eating can be a real challenge. Instead of hitting the drive-thru every day, think about packing a couple of handy kitchen gadgets to turn hotel cooking into a breeze.
If you can swing it, aim for a hotel or extended stay with at least a mini fridge and a microwave. That way, you can stash some basics and heat up those delicious leftovers. Add a nifty countertop kitchen gadget to your arsenal that can handle different cooking styles like air frying, grilling, or slow cooking. It won’t take up much space, plus you can cook things like chicken and veggies quickly, which is fast and easy after a long shift.
Now, if cooking isn’t your thing, keep an eye out for ready-made meals that you can pop in the microwave. You can find options that cater to various diets, so whether you’re into paleo or vegetarian vibes, there’s always something that fits the bill without causing too much hassle. As a bonus, some of these services even offer discounts for nurses, so don’t forget to check that out before placing your order.
Travel Nurse Mental Health Tip: Stay Active
Exercise does way more than just keep your body in check—it’s a game-changer for your whole self. Studies tell us it’s a mood booster, helping with depression, anxiety and stress by cranking up those feel-good endorphins. Plus, regular activity is a snooze enhancer, making your sleep game strong.
Now, when you’re on the road, exercising can be a bit tricky. Best-case scenario? Find a gym with spots all over the place. But what if you’re working in a tiny town without a chain gym? Most hotels have a mini gym setup with a treadmill, a bike, and some weights to keep you moving. And if that’s not in the cards, even a casual hike can do the trick to get those endorphins flowing.
Travel Nurse Mental Health Tip: Relax
When you’re caught up in a whirlwind of work, it’s crucial to carve out some chill time. Whether it’s diving into a Netflix marathon on your day off or treating yourself to a spa day, taking a breather is a must each week.
A savvy move from seasoned travelers is outsourcing tasks like laundry or hiring a cleaning service for their AirBnB. It’s not about being lazy; it’s about safeguarding those precious moments of free time. Don’t hesitate to get a little help–you’re putting in the work away from home, and you’ve earned it. No guilt necessary.
What do you do to take care of yourself on your travel nurse assignments?
Triage believes that sweet travel nursing jobs don’t need sugarcoating. If you want to work with an agency that will let you know if that gig near the ocean isn’t really a day at the beach, connect with Triage today.
Guest Article by Katie Dixon at Triage Staffing
Katie Dixon is Triage’s Communications Manager with three years of experience in the healthcare staffing industry. She spends hours dedicated to reading, researching and writing, offering her a deep understanding of the industry’s trends and topics that healthcare travelers care about.
