Maxim Nurses » Lifestyle

How to Beat the Winter Blues

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

The first snow of the season is a wondrous event. Like glittering diamonds carpeting the landscape, a pristine blanket of white sparkles in the sunshine, making us marvel at nature’s beauty. Unfortunately, we quickly lose that child-like wonder as we struggle to shovel driveways, cope with slick, icy roads and fight off winter sniffles. As winter drags on, the dark skies and cold winds wear us down. Our mood turns as gray and dreary as slush, and the winter blues set in.

Nearly 50% of A [...]

Managing holiday stress

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

The holidays are a time of joy, excitement and family gatherings. But they can also be a time of considerable stress. Trying to add holiday decorating, shopping, baking and gift wrapping to an already hectic schedule can turn life chaotic. Part of the problem is our expectations. In our quest to create the “perfect” holiday, we often drive ourselves and our families crazy.

You can reclaim the joy of the holiday season and decrease your stress levels by paring down your [...]

Simple Habits That Boost Immunity

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

Don’t be felled by colds and flu this winter. Adopting a few simple habits can boost your immune system and help you ward off those nasty winter bugs.

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, particularly before eating. Use an ethyl (not isopropyl) based waterless hand sanitizer when you can’t wash.
Eat right. Eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables and foods rich in vitamins A, C and E. Maintain a healthy weight.
Drink plenty o [...]

Longevity Experts Offer Tips for Living Longer

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

“Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late,” said Benjamin Franklin. But by adopting the lifestyle habits of the world’s centenarians, we may be able to live both longer and more wisely.

Researchers have long been fascinated by what some call Blue Zones, tiny pockets of humanity around the globe where residents regularly live past their 100th birthday. Generally isolated from the rest of the world, those who live and thrive in these areas share common characteristics, [...]

Maintaining Family-Work Balance Requires Flexibility

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST

Balancing family and work successfully is a delicate juggling act that requires communication, planning, organization, and, most importantly, flexibility. Without commitment and a clear plan for maintaining balance, time and energy for family, friends, and self quickly erode and disappear. It takes daily adjustment to maintain a healthy balance while juggling a challenging job, hectic family schedule, child care, elder care and the many demands life places on our limited time. Flexibility is [...]

Go “Green” at Home to Save Energy & Cash

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

The high cost of energy has moved well beyond the gas pump. The cost of natural gas, propane, residential heating oil and electricity are also up, further straining household budgets. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical family spends over $1,600 on annual utility bills, much of it on wasted energy. We’re not doing the planet any favors either. Generating the annual electricity needs of the average home spews more carbon dioxide into the air than two cars.

As nurses, [...]

Get Your Money’s Worth at the Gas Pump

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Ouch! With the price of gas edging over the $4 per gallon mark, we’re all feeling some pain at the pump. Use these tips to get the last drop from every dollar you spend on gas:

• For gas bargains in your area, search Web sites like gasbuddy.com or gaspricewatch.com. Use grocery savings programs to earn gas discounts.
• Fill up at the coolest time of day: early morning or late evening. Gas is denser when it’s [...]

Get Fit With 10-Minute Exercise Sessions

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Exercise. Ugh! We know we should do it, but who has the time? What most people don’t realize is that several short, 10-minute exercise periods can be nearly as beneficial as a single longer workout. It’s cumulative exercise time that counts, experts say. Studies also show that a lifestyle approach to exercise – sneaking it into your daily routine – can improve fitness almost as much as gym workouts. Aim for a balance of aerobic, strength training, and flexibility exercises each week.

Do [...]

Take a Mini-Vacation Close to Home

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

Today’s hectic lifestyles leave little time for vacations. Add in the rising cost of gas, and many Americans are left searching for mini-breaks closer to home this summer. This is a good time to become a tourist in your own hometown.

Planning is easy. Most cities and states have a tourist bureau and Web site. Request a vacation packet or pick up a state guidebook at your local auto club or library. You’ll find plenty of information on area festivals, attractions, histo [...]

Meals in minutes: Healthy meals for a nurse on the go

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

The following appeared in an issue of Maxim’s nursing eNewsletter, Nursing Now. To receive news in your e-mail inbox each month, sign up today.

When you’re on the go all day, it’s easy to succumb to the lure of fast food. Cruise through the drive-thru and dinner is ready! Packed with calories, trans fat and sodium, fast food may be [...]

Protecting yourself during cold and flu season

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

The following appeared in an issue of Maxim’s nursing eNewsletter, Nursing Now. To receive news in your e-mail inbox each month, sign up today.

As we shake off the winter’s chill and see the first signs of spring upon us, what do we think of as healthcare providers? Cold and flu season, of course! With the warmer weather, we usually notice a su [...]

Tips for Coping with Stress

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

The following appeared in an issue of Maxim’s nursing eNewsletter, Nursing Now. To receive news in your e-mail inbox each month, sign up today.

We all know stress is bad for us. It affects our bodies, our thoughts and feelings, and our behavior. It can negatively affect our attitude toward our patients, jeopardize our ability to concentrate, an [...]

Easy Crock Pot Meals Welcome You Home

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

Crock pot meals are a fantastic choice for nurses on the go. You do your prep work the night before or in the morning, toss everything into the crock pot, flick the switch and return home to a healthy, tasty meal that’s ready to eat. With just one pot, clean up is a breeze, too.

It’s easy to find delicious crock pot recipes online for everything from savory soups and stews to classic comfort food. You can even cook delicious side dishes and luscious desserts in yo [...]

Nutritious Snacks for Nurses on the Go

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

Nurses understand the importance of good nutrition, but the demanding nature of their job can make it difficult to practice when they’re at work. Long and irregular work hours, demanding patients, and the inevitable crisis chip away at the time allotted for meal breaks. There are many days (or nights) when there just isn’t time to take a break, much less eat a normal meal. Skipped meals coupled with long shifts can strain the body’s ability to maintain the energy and alertness critical to pro [...]

Tips for Buying Nursing Shoes

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

For nurses, foot, leg and back pain can be an unfortunate result of 12-hour shifts spent mostly on their feet. Selecting shoes that provide proper foot support can energize aching feet and allow you to move comfortably through the day. Athletic shoes and clogs lead the market as nurses’ top footwear choices. Athletic shoes feature flat heels, superior arch support and treaded soles in a variety of styles. Clogs are molded from thick plastic or rubber with soft, comfortable soles. Stylish Croc [...]

Pamper Yourself With Guilty Pleasures

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

Nursing shifts are long and stressful, a daily roller coaster between the mundane and the exhilarating. You give your all to your patients and feel drained by the time you head home. Between work and daily chores, it can be easy to fall into a rut; yet nursing is a job where it’s important to recharge your batteries on a regular basis. To maintain the energy and patience to take good care of your patients, you have to take care of yourself. Everyone needs a little pampering from time to time, [...]

Time Management Tips for Busy Nurses

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST

Work, family, household chores, errands, social commitments… managing all the demands on a nurse’s time is a constant juggling act. It can be hard to do everything and still find a moment or two for yourself. Better time management is the key to creating some precious “me time” in your busy day. Try these helpful tips:

Write it down. Creating a “to do” list is the first step to organizing daily and weekly tasks. Keep pen and notepad handy and jot down tasks as you think of them.

How To Boost A Nurse’s Immune System for Flu Season

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

Fact: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the H1N1 virus has an attack rate of 30 percent, which means that 1 in 3 of those exposed becomes infected.
Fact: It is particularly important for nurses on the front lines of this global pandemic to receive influenza immunizations in order to protect themselves and prevent others from becoming infected.
Fact:
You’re too busy to cook after a hectic day or night shift, but don’t want to eat fast food several times a week. You know you should prepare healthy meals, but don’t have the energy to shop and actually make them. You would like a home-cooked meal, but sometimes cooking after a 12-hour shift is the last thing on your mind.
If this sounds like you, or somebody you know, we’d like to share a few hassle-free recipes that are delicious and easy to pr [...]

What Are Your New Year’s Resolutions?

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST

Are you thinking about making New Year’s resolutions for the coming year? The top five resolutions for the general population include: losing weight, exercising more often, quitting smoking, being more fiscally responsible, and finding a better job.[1]

However, according to PR Web, while 45 percent of people make New Year’s resolutions, only eight percent are actually successful in achieving their goals. As a busy nursing professional, finding [...]

Teamwork Helps Nurses Keep Hospital Patients Active

Mon, 03 May 2010 00:00:00 EST

Preventing functional decline of patients should be a priority of every hospital. However, too often, promotion of physical function and independence gets lost among the many tasks nurses must perform. Read more

The content found on this page comes from a third party Web site and is for informational purposes only and does not n [...]

Maxim Nurses » Lifestyle

How to Beat the Winter Blues

Managing holiday stress

Simple Habits That Boost Immunity

Longevity Experts Offer Tips for Living Longer

Maintaining Family-Work Balance Requires Flexibility

Go “Green” at Home to Save Energy & Cash

Get Your Money’s Worth at the Gas Pump

Get Fit With 10-Minute Exercise Sessions

Take a Mini-Vacation Close to Home

Meals in minutes: Healthy meals for a nurse on the go

Protecting yourself during cold and flu season

Tips for Coping with Stress

Easy Crock Pot Meals Welcome You Home

Nutritious Snacks for Nurses on the Go

Tips for Buying Nursing Shoes

Pamper Yourself With Guilty Pleasures

Time Management Tips for Busy Nurses

How To Boost A Nurse’s Immune System for Flu Season

What Are Your New Year’s Resolutions?

Teamwork Helps Nurses Keep Hospital Patients Active