Published on: 27 May 2021
Last Updated on: 03 January 2025
We all know what stress is. We all cope with it every day; we look for creative new ways of handling it but prolonged exposure to stress can lead to burnout which could have some long-term consequences. Travel nursing, like any other health care field, falls into the category of highly stressful jobs. The stress became even more emphasized since the pandemic had started.
In the last few years, jobs for travel nurses have not only grown in scope, but also in terms of remuneration. The global pandemic has necessitated the biggest movement of trained nursing professionals across the world. While there are stressful moments involved, the salaries and compensations are the perks that are leading the nursing industry. With the chance to see the world, a lot of young professionals are encouraged to pursue short term travel nursing jobs.
Travel nursing can be both stressful and rewarding:
There has been an increasing demand from medical staffing companies for healthcare workers in the past year. And yes, while it also meant higher pay for travel nurses, more job openings, and travel opportunities it also came with exponential exposure to everyday stress.
Now, as a healthcare professional you are already used to coping with situations that would upset and throw out of tracks every average person, but COVID-19 is still quite new to everyone, and just like with everything that’s new it takes some time getting used to it.
We know how tough you are but you are still prone to feeling effects of accumulated stress over time and as a health care staffing agency that puts its employees first, we are saying that you should take some measures of precaution to avoid burnout and to increase or maintain the quality of your life.
Things you can do outside work:
We know it can be hard to put work aside and go back to your normal life once you take off your uniform. But if you think about it, in a long run, doing so you are doing yourself and your patients a favor. By focusing on your wellbeing, you are refueling, reenergizing, and investing in your career too. You will be more concentrated, more rested, and more efficient if you had enough time for yourself.
Focus on your physical and mental health:
This can be, for example, a walk in a park, going for a run, or just wandering around the city exploring new cafes, restaurants, parks, buildings and enjoying the pulse of a new place.
You could start off by exploring your new residential area and discovering places according to your taste. You could go on a hunt for a beautiful sunset or sunrise and get the perfect postcard for your friends back at home.
Invest in your own health - find a farmer’s market and enjoy organic or unique specialties that locals could tell you about.
Yoga is great for both physical and mental health:
Find a gym or a park to do yoga every day. If you are not a fan of exercising indoors, you could find a park or a nice and quiet place to do your stretches or yoga, for example. It's very beneficial to practice yoga outdoors with other people. Why not try that out?
Maintain social relationships and contacts:
Stay in touch with your friends from home or hang out with some new people you’ll definitely meet. It would be nice if you could avoid talking about work and instead focus on experiencing new tastes, learning new things, and hearing different points of view. Make the most of your stay.
Things you can do at work:
It can be very busy and sometimes overwhelming at work, and we understand that being a travel nurse you sometimes can’t just decide when to take a break. But if you have the chance, take that little break.
As they say, one can be surrounded by people and still feel alone. That’s why you should try to bond with your colleagues or/and patients that you like. It will make your workplace a much more pleasant place to be at and you will look forward to your next day at the hospital. The social component of our overall wellbeing must not be disregarded. We are social beings, right?
Everyone’s threshold of stress tolerance is different. And if you start feeling overwhelmed by your everyday tasks, if you find yourself unable to stay focused for a longer period of time, or if you start getting easily frustrated, don’t wait. Seek professional help, take care of yourself and put yourself in the first place just like your medical staffing agency does.
You are important to us. And we take care of what’s important.
Don’t push yourself.
Be gentle with yourself.
Treat yourself like you treat your patients.
Let us take care of you.
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One survey has returned the results that around half of Americans are trying to lose weight. This isn’t to say that half of the US population is heavily overweight, but it does point to many people taking a keen interest in their weight and body fat levels.
There are many options for measuring BMI and body fat today, with calipers, handheld machines, and smart scales available. Some of these devices can help you to understand your BMI, and others go far deeper and measure a number of health metrics.
However, are these devices accurate, or could you accidentally, or intentionally, trick them into giving false readings?
What is BMI and what is the difference with body fat percentage?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if someone had a BMI reading of 18.5 to 24.9 then they would be considered healthy. Of course, this doesn’t measure other metrics and doesn’t take into account any other health problems.
BMI stands for Body Mass Index, and this is calculated by measuring a person’s height and weight, to give a rough idea of how much fat is being carried as a percentage.
Body Fat Percentage, or BFP, refers to the total mass of fat, which is then divided by the total body mass. This is a more complex calculation than BMI.
Can you trick a BMI machine?
To understand how someone might fool a BMI machine, it is partly necessary to understand how they work.
A BMI machine works by sending an electrical signal through the body. BMI is worked out by measuring the time it takes to get from one side to the other. This signal may travel from hand to leg, hand to hand, or leg to leg.
As the signal travels through the body it will go through water, fat, muscle, and bone. It cuts through the water faster than muscle and bone. The signal travels at its slowest when moving through fat. This is how you can trick a BMI machine.
Drink water to fool a BMI machine
The electrical signal moves most slowly when hitting fat. If that fat area is represented as a percentage, then the less you have as part of your body, the lower your BMI will be.
Drinking more water will fool the machine into believing you have a lower BMI score. Conversely, if you dehydrate yourself, it will see the fat reserves as a higher percentage. Just as you would stay away from certain foods to be healthy, you should stay away from too much water if you want a proper BMI result.
Medical conditions, menstruation, and even skin temperature can also affect results.
Can BMI machines help you to lose weight?
Handheld machines are perhaps not the best way to get your BMI results. Machines that bring back the best results run from leg to leg, so a smart scale would be a better option.
A BMI smart scale can offer a more accurate way to measure your fat percentage and help you to set fitness targets. The smart scale from FitTrack for instance, lets you measure 17 different health metrics including BFP, BMI, bone content, and basic metabolism. They are said to be as accurate as a DEXA scan.
Understanding metabolism and fitness levels are also important when looking to lose weight and body fat. Exercise and diet are key to achieving these goals.
Best ways to improve BMI
Getting an accurate BMI test is important to see where you are before you set off towards your goals. Do not dehydrate yourself, and do not drink an excessive amount of fluids before you use your BMI scales. This way you will get accurate, and consistent scores each time.
Smart scales can also measure metabolism and exercise, and the right foods can help improve this area. This is one reason why fitness is important for weight loss. Metabolism helps to burn calories and fat. Therefore, improving your general fitness will lead to weight loss.
When it comes to exercise try to concentrate on activities that burn fat and do not build muscle. Jogging will help more than high octane sprinting. Half an hour of cardio every day will help you to start reducing your BMI.
Proper diet is also important. According to Healthline, there are plenty of foods that can help you to burn fat. These include fatty fish with plenty of Omega 3, and green tea, which can help remove belly fat.
Summary
BMI machines can indeed be tricked, but it is unlikely anyone would want to do this intentionally if they were serious about fat reduction. However, by drinking too much, or too little fluids, you could do it by accident.
If you do decide to improve your BMI scores and reduce body fat, then using smart scales, combined with a healthy diet, and a fitness routine is a good way to achieve your mission.
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How long does pre workout last? - Once you consume pre-workout, its effects last for 3 to 6 hours in your body. Basically, the job of a pre-workout is to improve your physical and mental performance during exercise. If you want to consume pre-workout, you have to consume it as energy shots or as a powder that you mix with water.
In this article, you will learn about how long a pre-workout lasts. Apart from that, you will also learn about the key factors that influence a pre-workout’s duration. Moreover, this article will also explain how to maximize the duration of pre-workouts. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article.
How Long Does Pre-Workout Last?
Generally, a pre-workout has a noticeable effect for 1 to 2 hours when you are working out. However, the ingredients remain in your body for around 4 to 6 hours. In fact, the ingredients of a pre-workout supplement remain in your system. Basically, it depends on the amount of caffeine it contains.
Here are a few points you must consider about pre-workout duration:
Peak Effect: For a pre-workout, after you consume it, you will feel the most intense effects within the first 30-60 minutes.
Caffeine Half-Life: Caffeine is the primary contributor to the duration of a pre-workout. In fact, the duration of caffeine is around 5-6 hours. Hence, it takes longer for the body to eliminate half of what you consume that has caffeine in it.
Individual Variations: The amount of time up to which a pre-workout lasts also depends on your individual bodily factors. For example, how good your metabolism is or how sensitive your body is to caffeine matters a lot.
Key Factors That Influence the Duration of Pre-Workout
Depending on the amount of pre-workout you consume, you will experience a rise in physical and mental energy for 30 minutes to 2.5 hours. Moreover, the pre-workout stays in your body for a much longer time due to caffeine content.
The following are some of the major factors that influence the amount of time a pre-workout will last:
1. Dosage
The pre-workout dosage affects the amount of time up to which you will experience its benefits. In fact, the more pre-workout you consume, the longer it will have an effect on you.
Moreover, if you take higher doses, your energy levels will remain high between these periods. Also, there shall be lower feelings of exertion. Generally, this is the effect of individual ingredients.
However, always remember to take a dosage that your nutritionist recommends.
2. Ingredients in Pre-Workout
The common ingredients of pre-workouts include caffeine, beta-alanine, creatine, etc. Basically, these ingredients determine the amount of time the pre-workout affects you. In fact, each ingredient offers you something different. Hence, a pre-workout with more than one thing will affect you in different ways.
a. Caffeine
Caffeine is present in multiple beverages, energy drinks, and tea. Generally, you will experience the effects of caffeine for 2.5 to 4.5 hours. However, depending on your personality and your body type, this will vary a bit.
b. Nitrates
Most pre-workout supplements contain nitrates and amino acids. This helps in producing nitrate oxide, which helps to produce a higher amount of oxygen than the body needs during exercise. However, once you consume it, nitrate will remain for 1-3 hours.
c. Beta-alanine
This is a type of amino acid that comes with multiple benefits. However, you must consume it before you start exercising. Such a pre-workout will offer you higher aerobic and anaerobic endurance.
Apart from that, you will benefit from higher muscle mass, better capacity to exercise, and a reduction in lactic acid buildup.
3. Personal Tolerance
If you use pre-workout consistently or for a long period of time, your body will start tolerating it and its effects. Hence, most experts recommend that you use pre-workout in a cycle. For example, you take a pre-workout for six weeks and then take a break of six weeks from using this supplement.
Hence, after you retake a pre-workout later, it will have an effect on your body. This is a useful way to make the most of pre-workouts.
4. Workout Intensity and Duration
The workout length and effort level influence how long the pre-workout lasts. For instance, your body might use up individual ingredients faster when you are in a high-intensity workout.
However, if you resort to lower-intensity training, you will not fully utilize your pre-workout to the fullest. Hence, you will not experience all the benefits it offers. Actually, pre-workout is useful for high-intensity exercises. Apart from that, some studies suggest that if you consume pre-workout before cardio, it will be beneficial for you.
How Long Do Specific Ingredients Last?
Generally, it depends on the individual when it comes to the duration of specific ingredients like beta-alanine and caffeine can vary a bit. However, in most cases, you can notice the effect of caffeine within 30 minutes to an hour. Also, the effect of caffeine can last for 2-3 hours. This is because caffeine has a half-life of 3-5 hours.
On the other hand, the half-life of beta-alanine is about 25 minutes. Hence, you will experience the effects of beta-alanine for a shorter period of time.
1. Caffeine
Caffeine is the primary stimulant in most pre-workouts. Generally, you will notice its effect for 1-2 hours. Moreover, its half-life can be extended by 3-5 hours. Also, its effect depends on your metabolism and workout intensity.
2. Beta-Alanine
Beta-alanine causes a tingling sensation in your body since your body absorbs it faster. Here, the effect of beta-alanine peaks within 30 minutes. Also, it will last for about 2-3 hours.
3. Creatine
Creatine is actually a muscle-building ingredient. In fact, you need to consistently use it for a few weeks if you want to fully saturate it to muscle stores. Also, its effects last much longer than immediate pre-workouts.
4. Nitric Oxide Boosters
Nitric oxide ingredient in pre-workouts has an effect on blood flow and pump duration. This actually helps you with better endurance levels. Nitric oxide provides more oxygen in your body when your body needs it. In fact, once you consume it, it will peak after 1-3 hours.
How to Maximize the Duration of Pre-Workout?
If you want to maximize the duration of your pre-workout, consider taking it around 30 minutes before you start working out. This way, you give your body enough time to absorb all the ingredients inside your pre-workout. Also, you must avoid taking it too early since the effects might diminish before you start your workout.
However, make sure you stick to a dose that is recommended for your case. Apart from that, it is important to hydrate your body. Drink plenty of water during and after the workout. This will maximize the absorption of supplements. Moreover, make sure to choose a pre-workout that has a long-lasting effect (for example, creatine).
On the other hand, try to be mindful of caffeine. Too much caffeine is not good for anyone. Additionally, if you are sensitive to it, adjust your dosage accordingly. However, if you want more energy to sustain in your body, consider consuming a pre-workout with creatine in it.
Potential Side Effects and How They Relate to Duration
The following are some of the potential side effects of pre-workouts:
headaches
stomach upset
nausea
anxiety
jitters
dehydration
an increase in heart rate
sleep disturbances
Generally, these side effects vary in terms of intensity depending on the time and duration of use. If you use pre-workouts for the short term, you can see only mild side effects like mild stomach upset, jitters, a little increase in heart rate, etc. These problems go away once the effect of the pre-workout is gone.
On the other hand, if you use pre-workout consistently, there is a greater risk of severe side effects. For instance, you might face caffeine dependence, dehydration, higher blood pressure, heart issues, sleep disruption, etc.
Apart from that, it also depends on the sensitivity of the individual to the ingredients. Moreover, make sure not to take pre-workouts close to your sleep time as it can impact your sleep quality.
What Happens After Pre-Workout Effects Wear Off?
Here are a few things that might happen after your pre-workout wears off:
You will feel a drop in your energy levels. This may result in a reduction in performance.
Slight irritability and agitation are common.
Moreover, your individual caffeine sensitivity also determines your loss of energy and performance.
Summing Up
How long does pre workout last? - Now you know the answer to this question. Generally, the effect of pre-workout lasts for 30 minutes to 1 hour. However, it still stays in your body for 3-5 hours. However, these numbers might vary depending on your individual physicality, sensitivity, and metabolism.
Do you have more information to provide regarding the timing and duration of pre-workouts? Please share them in the comments section below.
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Don't underestimate the power of small things. Even nano-changes in your daily routine can lead to incredible results and transform your life. Here's how to become healthier and happier by doing routine activities.
Simple Healthy Habits You Can Adopt Easily
There are many healthy habits that can change your life. Let’s start with the easiest one.
1. Drink A Glass Of Water Upon Waking
Perhaps the best way to start the day is by drinking a glass of water (better than room temperature or even lukewarm). After six to eight hours of sleep, we wake up to varying degrees of dehydration. And a generous serving of water helps to quickly restore the body's water balance.
On the other hand, coffee contributes to even greater dehydration. Water literally awakens the body and forces all of its systems to work, including the brain and digestive tract.
There is evidence that a glass of water in the morning can even accelerate metabolism by as much as 30%. And research shows that those who start their morning with water are less likely to overeat. It is because they quench their thirst, which is often confused with hunger.
2. Giving Up Addiction
This might seem difficult to some people. But getting rid of addiction is not so difficult. A person who spends his/her day in unhealthy habits such as drinking alcohol or using drugs is unlikely to live longer.
For improving the quality of life, a person has to quit these addictions. With the state-funded drug rehabilitation facility, a person can easily get treated. You don’t even have to worry about the finances of the treatment.
3. Turn Off Vibration Mode On Your Smartphone
It seems that vibration is a salvation for those who do not want to be distracted by calls and sound notifications of new messages. But in reality, the vibration mode is a real productivity killer. It is very difficult not to react to the constant slight buzz. And the smartphone turned upside down only aggravates the matter.
We intolerably want to see what the notification is about. In addition, sometimes we hear phantom vibrations - when there are no messages, but as if an audible buzzing makes us grab the phone.
Productivity experts recommend keeping your phone in sound mode but turning off all notifications except for calls. It is enough for the messages to appear on the screen without any musical accompaniment.
4. Eat Fruits For Breakfast
WHO recommends eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Vegetables are relatively easy to include in your diet. In an amicable way, they should make up half of every meal - even when it comes to pasta, soup, or curry with rice. But we often forget about fruits. When we want something sweet, we choose cakes or healthy nuts. And to refresh ourselves, we drink juices and soft drinks.
But juices do not contain an important constituent of fruit i.e., fiber. It is necessary for the normal functioning of the intestines, as well as some vitamins. These vitamins are present in the skin of the fruit. In order not to forget about fruits and berries, you can make it a rule to eat them for breakfast. Or you can eat them as part of full meals or as a dessert. Fruits are high in fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, potassium, and water.
But also high in sugar and low in calories, so they are poorly satiating. The ideal option is to mix the fruit with something protein or cereal. You can make your favorite porridge with apples and cinnamon. Blend strawberry, banana, and plant-based milk smoothies in a blender. Compose a fruit salad and season it with yogurt. Or simply slice the fruit into slices and eat it with peanut butter.
5. Walk 30 Minutes A Day
The benefits of regular physical activity are exceptional and many scientific studies confirmed it. Ideally, you should move as often and as long as possible during the day. Walk to the office, take breaks during work, use stairs rather than elevators, exercise several times a week, and walk as much as possible. But it is not necessary to immediately sign up for a marathon or force yourself to climb 12 flights to the apartment.
Try to set aside at least 30 minutes a day for an easy walk. You can walk around in an apartment or in a park. A regular half-hour walk will help strengthen blood vessels. It will also significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attack. Moreover, it will strengthen bones and muscles, and help keep weight normal.
6. Get Regular Rest
Perhaps the best health habit in the age of productivity and efficiency is to get proper rest. Rest can safely be considered any action (or inaction) that helps to restore strength and soothes the nerves. Holidays don't have to be quality. They don't always require scented candles, self-help books, picnic kits, and mountain retreat packages.
Sometimes a sofa and a favorite TV show are enough. On the other hand, if you want to pamper yourself with shopping or going to a restaurant, go for it. You should not reproach yourself for deviating from the environmental agenda and spending extra money.
Resting means getting enough sleep, spending time with loved ones, walking, lying, watching, reading, listening, or even talking. Lazy wandering around the apartment, petting a cat, looking out the window, traveling, eating, singing, doing your favorite hobby, disassembling a closet, or watering flowers - in short, do what you like more often.
Summing Up
Regular exercising can be difficult for some people. However, there are many little habits that can lead to good health. Some common and most important ones have been mentioned in this article. We are hopeful that you will incorporate them into your lifestyle and spend a healthy life.
Read Also:
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Find a gym or a park to do yoga every day. If you are not a fan of exercising indoors, you could find a park or a nice and quiet place to do your stretches or yoga, for example. It's very beneficial to practice yoga outdoors with other people. Why not try that out?
