Getting into a routine again - healthcare traveler edition

Finding your flow as a traveler 

"It's a part of the job," they say.

Although moving around every 3 months is a trademark of the life of a travel healthcare worker, it doesn't have to be so challenging and can be something you get better at over time. Every time you move you have to find a new routine in your home, find a new place for all your things, find a new hair salon/nail place, grocery store, workout studio.... the list goes on. It is just one more thing to add to your already NEW job! I'd like to talk about the struggles I have faced since starting the "Travel life" full time, some tips I have for making the transition easier, and some normalcy I have found along the way. 

How do I find peace and normalcy when I have to move around every 3 months?

Well, I am lucky enough to get to travel the world on 3 month assignments with a travel buddy! My travel buddy is my husband. I was blessed with a partner who works in the same field as me! I am an MRI tech and he is a CT tech, so we are able to do contracts together. Now I understand not everyone is going to be a travel couple able to both take contracts but maybe your significant other can work remotely? Lots and lots of jobs are turning remote, or semi-remote even. It it something to look into to see if maybe there is even a better job that your partner could do remote while you started your journey into the travel life! 

Another option for partnership during travel life is finding a friend who could come with you on your adventures or maybe even a family member (think retired mom or dad/aunt/uncle). Someone to be your support in person during your transitions! I understand that having a physical person there for everyone is not always possible, so that brings us to finding ways on your own to find normalcy within travel. 

The Storm Era : the first three weeks of an assignment 

I have found that my (approx.) first three weeks of a contract seem to be my most disorganized. I call this, my "storm" era. Basically, I am just trying to weather the storm and have to constantly remind myself to be gentle with myself and others. My main goals during my "storm era" are to: 

1. Make it to work on time & do my best at work. (Aka. IMPRESS MY COWORKERS) 

2. Feed myself healthy meals ... it's ok to order out here and there but fueling my body with a good meal will only help my brain during this transition time (think low carb, low sugar, low processed foods)

3. Remind myself its ok to relax ... this is a VERY hard one for me. Especially because being a travel tech I am always 'go go go' and I have to remind myself it is NORMAL and OK to rest on the weekends/on my days off. I am already accomplishing so much on my work days, meal prepping, cleaning the house, doing laundry, etc. that it is NORMAL to need a day just to decompress (however you need to decompress) 

4. Try not to drink alcohol ... either not at all, or in minimal amounts. But especially not evenings before work. Alcohol can decrease your quality of REM sleep so save those wine nights for your off days if you must & replace your beer with an olipop probiotic drink instead. 

5. Find something that brings you joy ... whether this be a new yoga studio, a new TV show to binge, finding a new book to read, adventuring to a new coffee shop, exploring a park for a walk; the list goes on! Find something in your first week that you can do that isn't work and isn't just sitting on your phone ghost scrolling through social media. 

The biggest takeaway from the storm era is: don't to be hard on yourself. Take time to reflect. Maybe you reflect by writing in a journal, making a video of your experience or starting a podcast to blog your journey. It is good to put your frustrations and accomplishments alike out in the world for others. 

 

Making the transition to a new place easier 

I have found that researching before moving to a new area helps so much with those first few weeks when finding your flow again. Research places close to where you will be living. I love to use YELP, google maps, and Instagram to find the niche places. 

On YELP, I am focused on finding good places to eat, bars I want to try, and sometimes workout studios!

Google maps is great for finding  grocery stores, shopping centers, pharmacies, pet stores, veterinarians, urgent cares/doctors offices, etc.

Instagram is great for your niche places like nail salons, hair salons, spas, waxing studios, tattoo shops, etc. When searching on Instagram search for hashtags! I have found great establishments this way. Also, the city you live in will most likely have some master Instagram account for things to do in the city so try to find that! Groups like "The Beauty Boost" or "The Somebody Society" or "Girls who walk" are great organizations that are sometimes in major cities - check them out!

The biggest takeaway is finding these places early on and checking them out during your first 3 weeks is a great starting point to get yourself acclimated to the city and established. 

Tips from your fellow traveler 

You've probably heard this a million times but the best way to keep yourself sane the first few weeks of your contract is getting yourself in a routine. Base your routine around your work schedule. For example, if you work 13 hour day shift 6:00-20:00, then trying to wake up at least by your start time on your days off is important to keeping your sleep schedule and circadian rhythm consistent. This will help with grogginess on your days off and even on your days at the hospital! 

Avoid too much caffeine. I, myself, am an avid coffee lover. And although I would love to drink coffee absolutely all day, I know that it is only a temporary fix for helping with the sleepy moments. Limiting yourself to 2 cups of coffee a day is important. If you need an afternoon pick me up, remember to leave about 6 hours of "wear off time" for your caffeine. So, for example, if I end my shift at 20:00 and expect to be in bed by 21:30; then I need to be done drinking my cup of coffee by say, 15:00 or 3:00PM. 

Don't eat right before bed.  Although it may be tempting to come straight home and eat a yummy homecooked dinner.... resist! Eating too much before bed can put stress on your body to try and digest while you sleep which can drastically decrease your quality of sleep, making you groggy and feeling heavy the next day. Instead, eat a small snack or drink a large glass of water instead of pigging out before bed. 

Don't exercise before bed. Now this one can be different person to person. Exercise puts off endorphins that can exhilarate your body and may make it hard for you to sleep at night. However, some people state that they feel it relaxes their body and makes them tired before bed. You know your body best and know which is the case for you. Just some food for thought if you aren't getting good sleep.

Find things to do on your day off that bring you joy. It is SO EASY to get into the routine of using your days off just for chores/running errands. Beware. Although this is necessary, chores are obligates, and apart of life. Instead, set aside (at least) one day a week to do things that bring you joy. This will help you separate your life from your work and will give you, overall, better mental health. 

Need ideas for things to do on your day off? Visit my other blog post: Things to do on your days off as a travel healthcare worker that isn't just chores

 

 

You are not alone 

When you are feeling down or just need a reminder that other people feel the same way you do, remember the following:

It takes about three weeks to get adjusted on an assignment. 

It is okay to use your off days to recharge. You don't have to DO anything. 

It is okay if you haven't found your circle yet. 

Carve out time to do the things that make you happy and connect with the people who fill your cup. 

Stay in a routine to the best of your ability 

Don't let the chores consume you, but also don't let them get out of hand. 

Remember to be gentle with yourself. Whether this is your first assignment or your tenth, remember that you are in a new place, at a new hospital, doing new things. It is okay to take some time to adjust.