Working long hours is part and parcel of a medical profesionals' life and often, there is hardly energy left at the end of the day to do anything productive. Fret not, there is hope in improving your workflow by including these tips in your morning routine. Here are a few tips to increase your chances of a healthy and productive day: 1. Make a list Before heading out, make a habit of writing out your goals for the day. It can be either short-term ones like making five patients smile today or even long-term ones such as becoming senior nurse that you hope to eventually achieve. This will encourage you to be more productive and focus on the goals that you have listed. It only takes a few minutes and you can do it on the way to work on the bus or even the previous night before you sleep. 2. Slurp some greens As nurses, it is common practice to skip meals or eat in a rushed manner due to our busy schedules. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and other than the usual breakfast options, why not give green smoothies a chance to lift your spirits up? Throw an apple, a banana and a handful of spinach with any juice or coconut water into a blender and you will get a simple and energising cup of green smoothie that will keep your metabolism going. 3. Check your calendar Structure your day when you check out your calendar of all the events in your life - from your father’s birthday to your next appointment with your dentist. This helps you to keep track of your activities as you go through all your busy tasks of the day. It also allows you to focus on your daily activities instead of worrying about what other events you have on the next day. 4. Exercise, exercise, exercise! This is one of the most common advice given to anyone and yes, even as a healthcare profesional, you should have at least seven minutes of exercise in a day. This can be when you just roll off your bed or even before you start your shift. There are many short exercises within a few minutes that can be found online and you can mix up a few moves to create your own personal routine. Have a good combination that works all major muscle groups and shake off the restlessness from the night before. 5. Listen to music Kickstart your day with music you love and you will find yourself humming to those tunes during the day. As nurses are usually busy running around, there are hardly any chances to plug in a earpiece and listen to some music. However, music is the perfect way to set the mood and helps to get you pumped up to handle a stressful day ahead. Find your favorite tunes and create your playlist for your morning rides. It will charge you emotionally in a positive way. 6. Practice meditation Time to disengage yourself from all people and electronics and just focus on yourself. It is difficult to find any moment to spare during a hectic workday and meditating in the morning will start your day right. Practicing mindfulness helps you to envision your future and reflect on your past, placing yourself in the proper mindset for the rest of the day. Life can get crazy, especially so for You, and it is important to have some morning rituals for yourself to make sure you stay on the track you want. Start from making the list and even listening to your favourite tracks then slowly incorporate the other rituals in your life. You will see the difference it makes once it becomes a habit. Source
