One of the most complicated parts of being a travel nurse is finding a way to work regular exercise into your life on the road. Many people find it difficult to make time for staying in shape, but it is especially hard if your job regularly separates you from your home, running route or gym. However, this doesn't mean that you have to forego staying in shape while on assignment. In fact, with a few simple tips, you may find that incorporating fitness into your traveling routine is much easier than you ever imagined.
New exercise understanding
One reason that exercise for travel nurses may be simpler than you thought is because modern understanding of fitness has changed dramatically in recent years. For quite a while, many experts believed that long, sustained workouts were the best ways to stay in shape. Recent research, however, indicates that this might not be true.
According to NurseTogether, one of the most effective ways to boost metabolism and stay in shape is to incorporate small, regular bursts of activity into your routine. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, for example, or parking a little further from your destination can cumulatively help you stay in shape – all without ever laying a finger on a barbell or setting foot on a treadmill! This is good news for people with nursing jobs, as working in hospitals and healthcare facilities typically involves a fair amount of walking.
Portable gym
With that said, some people are quite fond of gym-based fitness regimens. Luckily, many companies have begun offering extremely portable equipment – perfect for people who spend a fair amount of time on the road. Rubber resistance bands, for instance, offer many of the benefits of traditional weight training without much of the heft. Compact exercise balls and portable chin-up bars are other great ways to bring your gym with you.
Technology
Of course, technology has made its way into the fitness world, as it has in so many other spheres. Filling your smartphone, tablet or laptop with nutritional software, workout regimens and yoga poses can help you stay in shape wherever you are.
If you have a trusted personal trainer or exercise group, you may want to solicit them for advice. These people can provide you with great ideas for programs. They can also keep you motivated on the road by monitoring your progress or offering support before a workout.