I'm known for giving tidbits of advice around work and amongst my friends about healthy living. I didn't really take note until recently as to how often people ask me questions related to fitness, food and general wellbeing. All within the last month I have been asked "Ciara, what do you think of the Keto Diet?" or "what could change in my diet to help me wake up with better blood glucose levels?" At break, another co-worker was talking about how she had been really stressed and too busy lately. I saw it as a oppurtunity to plug the "y" word (yes, yoga). I love helping people feel better. As a nurse I get to do this regularly at my job, but it's often at the opposite end of the spectrum----> when most issues have become chronic. The type of health tidbits that I give my friends are co-workers are where my true passion lies ----> prevention and health promotion. That's why I love having this website. Sharing information is so awesome.
Recently a nurse reached out to me on instagram. She was wondering about ways she could fit more physical activity into her busy shiftwork schedule. I started typing a response and my fingers were just a flyin'. I thought I'd share: Hi Susie (an alias). Shift work is difficult when it comes to finding balance and routine. I can see how you would find it tough to find time working that many shifts in a row (especially nights!) I do find that developing some sort of routine is what helps me most. On days I work I focus on ensuring I get lots of water in and also eating as healthy as possible. That way, if I don't get a workout in, I was still good to my body by fueling well! It's 80% nutrition after all (as they say 😉). On days that I don't work, I make it a priority to exercise. It's best for me and those around me. I find moving my body to be the best kind of stress buster there is. It takes finding a type of movement you like. When I worked nights I would always make sleep my priority-- I would come home, sleep first and when I got up that's when I would get some movement in before my shift. Walking your dogs totally counts! Gentle movement like a vinyasa yoga class on YouTube is great. As nurses, I find we can be strapped for time trying to prep meals--look after pets--live life--sleep--work and then we put ourselves last. So in saying that, time is of the essence. This is why I love high intensity interval (HIIT) workouts. They are quick and super efficient and really do prime your body for burning calories throughout the day even when you aren't moving. Weightlifting is great for that too. Personally I really only get like 15-20 mins of exercise in on the days I work. We move a lot in our jobs! It seems to be enough to help me feel good and help me get grounded. In case you are interested, I do YouTube yoga (yoga with Adriene or Sarah Beth Yoga usually). Tone it up workouts (super quick, efficient) and usually their "daily moves" or whatever is under their daily workout tab on their website. I also love walking and biking.
4 Comments
Kirstie
6/28/2017 01:05:21 pm
Love this, and you! As usual you are such an inspiration, with a lovely writing style. Blogging has been in the back of my mind lately and you have inspired me to really consider doing it!
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Ciara
6/28/2017 04:23:24 pm
Ohhhhh! You definitely should :) Thanks Kirstie!
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Jill (sista)
6/28/2017 03:40:26 pm
So excited that you are back into bloggin! Your words always leave me feeling excited about what we do -in the nurse world or life in general. You rock sista! ♡♡
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Ciara
6/28/2017 04:23:41 pm
<3 Thanks sista xo
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