Fall brings in a lot of fun with the kids going back to school, leaves changing, cooler weather, pumpkin patches, the start of college football season and more. With all the fun autumn activities also comes the start of the dreaded cold and flu season. There is nothing worse than being sick when you are away from home and as a traveling healthcare professional that could mean you risk the possibility of being out of work as well. With cold and flu season right around the corner, Triage wants to help with the best ways to stay healthy while on assignment.
Eat a Healthy Diet
When you first get to your new travel spot, it’s natural that one of the first things you want to do is explore great local restaurants. A lot of times, this means foods that might not be the best for you. It’s important to treat yourself every once in a while, but try to balance it with healthy foods about 80% of the time. When you’re working, turn to snacks that will keep you fueled and full. Need some inspo?
- Berries—berries are full of vitamins, fiber and antioxidants. The antioxidants are ideal for keeping your immune system in tip-top shape. Don’t have time to sit and snack? berries are also great in a smoothie that you can chug on your way into work.
- Nuts and seeds—nuts and seeds are full of healthy fats and fiber. They’ll help you stay fuller longer and can even help lower LDL cholesterol, fight heart disease and promote blood sugar control.
- Leafy greens—leafy greens like spinach and kale can help with weight management, improve digestion and boost your immune system because they have both vitamins A and C. If you’re making a smoothie in the morning, toss in a handful of spinach and you won’t even taste it.
- Lean proteins—many animal proteins are a good source of zinc, which can help support your immune system. Look for lean beef, pork and lamb, but seafood like oysters and lobster are also good sources of zinc. So, if you’re out to dinner in your new city, treat yourself to that lobster dinner. It’s good for you!
Take A Multi-Vitamin
If you find that it is difficult to maintain a healthy diet while on the go, it is still important that your body is getting the nutrients it needs to keep you on your feet. In these cases, turn to a good multi-vitamin. Look for a vitamin that contains calcium, folate, magnesium, zinc, riboflavin, fiber and vitamins A, C, B12, B6, K and E.
Exercise
Exercise is a great way to boost your immune system, as well as maintaining mental health while you’re far away from friends and family. But it can be hard to fit in exercise and so easy to make excuses to not be active, especially after a couple long days at work. But during your off time, make an effort to be active. This doesn’t mean you have to hit up the gym, but if you do prefer a gym atmosphere, look for a national chain with locations throughout the country. Oftentimes you can find classes like spin, dancing, yoga or anything else that you’re interested in.
However, a lot of our travelers prefer to be active while exploring. Check out local parks, or National Parks for some of the best hiking in your area. Then, consider signing up for the 52 Week Challenge. The challenge’s premise is simple—get out and hike once a week for an entire year. It’s a great way to explore and stay active.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep loss wreaks havoc on your immune system. A lack of sleep affects what are called “natural killer” cells. These cells help fight viral infections, alongside antibodies. And guess what? Antibody production is also reduced when you go without sleep, leaving you double susceptible to viruses and other illnesses.
On the other hand, when you’re in what’s called “stage three sleep,” your body can repair injuries and reinforce the immune system. To help improve sleep, shut off electronics at least an hour before bed. If you just can’t give up your comfort show while you sleep, at least switch your device to night mode, which will shut off the blue light that is more harsh on your eyes. Avoiding caffeine and exercising can also help you fall asleep more quickly.
Take Time for Yourself
As a traveling healthcare pro, you spend all day putting your time and energy into the health and wellbeing of other people. This will eventually take a toll on you, so it’s important that you take time to do things that you enjoy. Some travelers have told us that they like to wind down with adult coloring books, or other creative outlets. Others enjoy meditating, yoga or something active like a walk or hike. No matter what you enjoy, take at least half an hour every day to focus solely on you.
Get the Flu Vaccine
This one is fairly simple and probably something you’re doing anyway since many facilities require the flu vaccine. And even better, if your facility requires the flu vaccine, Triage will cover any out-of-pocket costs you occur. Got questions about how to submit your vaccine to Triage? Click here for our flu vaccine FAQs.
Sometimes sickness is unavoidable, even if you take all the precautions. If you do happen to come down with a bug, rest up and hunker down with your favorite movies and tv shows. If you can take a day of downtime, you’re likely to recover more quickly than if you power through.
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