Staying healthy on your travel assignment can be challenging. Between your shifts, downtime, and all your traveling adventures, travel nurses and healthcare travelers can be exposed to a lot of people and viruses. With flu season approaching fast, now is the perfect time to refresh your healthy habits to avoid illness, ensuring you can continue providing top-notch care while taking care of yourself.
Tips for Staying Healthy While Traveling
Stay Up to Date with Vaccinations
Annual flu shots are a must, especially for healthcare workers. It’s one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your patients from the flu.
With the rise of new COVID-19 variants, consider getting the latest booster to reduce the risk of infection and severe illness.
Practice Good Hygiene On and Off the Job
As a healthcare traveler, you’re no stranger to the importance of good hygiene. Be sure to wash your hands frequently, especially after patient contact, and disinfect high-touch surfaces at work and in your living space. On your days off, practicing good hygiene in public areas like airports, grocery stores, and gyms is just as important.
Wear a Mask When Necessary
When working with patients, masks can help reduce the spread of airborne viruses. It’s also a good idea to wear a mask while traveling, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated places like airports or public transport.
Get Plenty of Rest
Sleep is one of the best tools for maintaining a robust immune system. Make it a priority to get 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Adjusting to new time zones and work schedules can make this challenging for travelers, but try creating a relaxing bedtime routine or using sleep aids like white noise machines or sleep masks to optimize your rest.
Boost Your Immune System
Consider adding immune boosters like Emergen-C, zinc, or elderberry supplements to your daily routine during flu season. These can help give your immune system extra support. But remember: supplements are not a substitute for healthy habits, so always pair them with good nutrition, sleep, and hydration.
Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet
Fueling your body with nutritious foods is another key to staying healthy. Aim to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains to give your body the nutrients it needs to fight off illness. If you’re on the go, plan ahead with healthy snacks like nuts, yogurt, or protein bars, and avoid over-relying on fast food.
Exercise Regularly
Physical activity can improve your immune function and help reduce stress, contributing to better overall health. Even with a busy travel schedule, try to incorporate movement into your daily routine—whether it’s a short walk, yoga, or a full workout session.
Open Windows and Increase Ventilation
When possible, open windows to allow fresh air to circulate in your living and working spaces. Good ventilation can help reduce the concentration of airborne viruses, making it less likely for you to catch or spread illness.
Plan for Sick Days
Even with all these precautions, getting sick occasionally is inevitable. The good news? TotalMed has you covered with sick leave for travelers. If you do fall ill, take the necessary time to rest and recover without the worry of missing work.
Travel With TotalMed
Taking care of your health during flu season isn’t just about protecting yourself—it’s about safeguarding your patients and colleagues. By staying on top of your health, you’ll be ready to take on whatever challenges your next travel assignment brings!
Plus, when you travel with TotalMed, you are traveling with an agency that provides you full support throughout your entire assignment, helping eliminate headaches like housing, compliance, and figuring out benefits. All you have to do is pack your bags and decide where you’re going.
Ready to get started? Check out our available healthcare travel jobs and apply today!
