Nurses, do you exercise?

Nurses Stress 101

Published

I'm wondering if other nurses exercise on their days off. I started going to the gym at least 2 x week and feel it has made a tremendous difference in my overall mood and energy levels. I think it might be the endorphins but I was feeling a bit depressed between shifts at a time and exercise and healthy eating has literally reversed that.

Anyone else have any experiences with how exercise has helped or not so much in improving the quality of your life and inadvertently the quality of your work?

Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
Working out helps me feel better physically during long shifts. I have more energy, back/legs hurt less, and its easier to lift patients!

I totally agree! After working out after work the last 2 days, I definitely feel better! I feel less stressed and my body doesn't hurt as much after work. I hope I can keep it up!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

In the past I have set up too high of expectations of myself and my planned workouts were too time-consuming or too intense. I would feel intimated or too tired before I even started them. There have been numerous studies that show walking for 30 minutes several times a week at a brisk pace is nearly as beneficial to long-term health than more intense exercise. Plus it's probably gentler on your joints (and we all need our joints for our whole lives, right?). So based on that I try to walk most evenings after dinner. I enjoy putting on my music or an audiobook. It's been a lot more successful to stick with this current walking goal. For variety I sometimes ride my bike, but it's all very simple and enjoyable.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care/Vascular Access.

I have a workout routine I try do at home a few times a week, and also either trail run or jog every week too, with an occasional long hiking trip every month or two. I notice the difference when I don't. The past two weeks I have been slacking on my diet and exercise and I've felt just down and tired and.......well.......basically the same as I hear many of my coworkers who don't exercise say they feel all the time. haha.

When I'm on top of my routine, I always have plenty of energy and am generally in a good mood and love my job. This is also coming from a night shifter.

Equally important to exercise though is diet, of course. I can definitively say there is a significant and very noticeable difference in attitude and energy level between those who you see drinking sodas and junk food all the time who are not active outside of work, and those of us who drink water and good snacks who make time to take care of our own bodies outside of work.

And with that, I'm off for a late night jog.......

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Not any more. I used to jog every night after work; I would jog or walk 5 nights per week. I have arthritis in my knees so bad now, I can't do it! I need a swimming pool......

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

Walk 5-7 miles every day and box when I can...daily exercise is essential to my sanity whether I work as a nurse or not...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

Yes, over the last 9 months I have overhauled my diet and started seeing a PT. I have lost 21kg, feel so much more energetic (still don't like 5.30 am) but I can do my job and not pass out on the sofa after work. I have also noticed my stress levels have dropped despite my work load going up. My mood has also improved. 9 flights of stairs to work, I can get to 7 without getting puffed and then I just power through the last 2.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Just starting out in a Nursing Home..

I try to exercise at least 2x's a week..I don't always get to do my 3 mile walk/run depending if I am going to the gym(run on treadmill) or outside track (walk). I think it depends on your schedual..exericise does help if you can fit it into work/ school scheduel. I also find chatting with other health care providers in a support group setting or getting rid of any negative energy is also very helpful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

In the summer time I exercise regularly, nearly everyday but the activity varies. Those things include, hiking, walking, bicycling, canoeing, fishing, and random outdoor play. I try to maintain a steady diet of activity in the winter but outside activity becomes more challenging when temperatures plummet. During winter I engage in hiking, walking, bicycling (we have special snow tires), snow shoeing, mushing, and skiing. Of course a great deal of winter time exercise comes from obtaining and preparing wood for the woodstove!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/surg nurse, 9 years experience, 5 as travel.

I've always enjoyed working out at the gym to include weight lifting combined with some cardio, but my true love is to go out mountain biking and will try to keep doing it for a long time (started riding around 1995). When I'm out on the trail I can truly let my mind go and just experience what is around me, very exhilarating!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I highly recommend p90x1-3 ( 2 and 3 is where the money is at, 1 is a self challenge ) the holistic approach to the program just does more than words can communicate if you have never been this type of person. Pretty much has improved every aspect of my life, one thing though, modify the hell out of it in your early days, give yourself at least 1 day of rest each week.

Exercise is something every person needs to be truly healthy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

How do you go about exercise when you work nights??

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.
Not any more. I used to jog every night after work; I would jog or walk 5 nights per week. I have arthritis in my knees so bad now, I can't do it! I need a swimming pool......

does your local gym or YMCA have a pool?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment