Lately I’ve been on a quest to find ways for nurses to be healthier which sounds ironic, I know. This also goes for nursing students in LVN courses andBSN programs. Shouldn’t healthcare professionals, nurses and doctors especially, be more healthy than everyone else? If you’re a healthcare professional, then the hypocrisy is no stranger to you. There are many doctors and nurses, who do not practice what they preach. Often they do not exercise as much as they tell us to, or eat as healthily as they advise, and lack far more sleep than any of their patients.
As I’ve mentioned on my more recent posts, these unhealthy habits are not only harming the doctors and nurses who practice them, but their patients as well. Once the negative effects of unhealthy habits take root, they take a toll on our minds and bodies, preventing us from performing at our best. For nurses and doctors, this means not being able to care for their patients to the best of their abilities. For nursing students in LVN courses and BSN programs, this is an important precaution, take note now and be better healthcare provider later.
We must understand however, that the daily strain of having to care for others makes it difficult for nurses and doctors to focus on caring for themselves. They often have irregular schedules and long work hours which prevent them from maintaining healthy food, exercise, and sleep habits – all of which are essential for our minds and bodies to function at ease. When we do not practice healthy eating, sleeping, and exercising habits, we get disease. I’m not going to take the time to list all the diseases here, because if you’re reading this, chances are you’re already very familiar with them. Not to mention, nursing students are on extremely hectic schedules as well, so the effects of daily strain goes for them too.
The key then, is to find and share healthy habits that are easy for healthcare professionals and students to maintain within their intense schedules.
I’ve recently posted healthy eating habits and sleep tips for nurses. To go along with my “Food for Nurses” post, here are easy and delicious breakfast recipes from WellNurse.com:
For a Super Energy Breakfast –
Scramble 1 or 2 eggs (the amount of eggs should match the size of your palm), and top them with a large spoonful of warm tomato salsa. Serve with a slice of wholegrain toast with a little butter (yes!), or a whole-wheat tortilla, and a fruit smoothie made by blending orange juice and frozen berries.
More and even quicker balanced breakfasts –
§ Whole-wheat toast with peanut butter and a piece of fruit
§ Whole-grain cereal with milk and berries
§ Yogurt with granola or oats and fruit
§ Half a whole-wheat pita pocket with hummus and fresh tomatoes (one of my personal favorites)
I emphasize breakfast in this post because it really is the most important meal of your day. After 10 or 12 hours without food, your body needs energy. And on a nurse’s busy schedule, you’re also probably skipping meals which makes it even more imperative that you eat before you start your work day. Again, the same goes for you nursing students in LVN courses and BSN programs, eat healthy, start with a tasty balanced breakfast!
For more yummy, quick and healthy recipes and tips on how to be a healthier nurse, please visit WellNurse.com
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