As a nurse, you’re on your feet for a good part of your shift. While walking is great exercise, it may not be enough. You’ll also want to do things that get your heart rate going, improve your endurance, and increase your strength. If getting more exercise is part of your New Year’s resolution but you don’t have time to hit the gym before or after work, no sweat (pun intended). Here are a few exercises you can do on the job that can improve your health.
Run the Stairs
Need to go to another floor? Skip the elevator and run the stairs. In addition to burning off calories, you’ll probably get where you need to go faster. You could also try taking the stairs two at a time, to get in some climbing leg lunges that help burn fat and tone your muscles.
Use Your Desk for Push-Ups
If you have a few extra minutes—and nobody’s around—turn your desk into exercise equipment and use it to do a few pushups. Place your palms at the edge of the desk and take a couple of steps back to get into a diagonal position. Then lower yourself down with a goal of having your chest touch the desk. This exercise can help build your chest and arm muscles.
Try Some Arm Circles
When you’re sitting in your chair or are in a room with some space, raise your arms in front of you at a 90-degree angle to your body. Slowly rotate them in small circles first clockwise and then counterclockwise. Then extend your arms out to your sides at 90 degrees. Do slow rotations clockwise and then counterclockwise. Building arm strength comes in handy when you need to help patients in and out of bed.
Do Chair Dips
Another exercise you can do while sitting is chair dips. Sit upright in a chair that doesn’t have wheels and place your palms on the arms or seat. Extend your legs out in front of you and push your bottom off the seat of the chair. Use your arms to lower and raise your body.
…And Don’t Forget to Stretch
When you’re on your feet all day, you can be susceptible to back, knee and foot issues. Reduce the risk of injury by improving your flexibility with some simple stretches. Reach down and touch your toes, reach up to the sky, twist your upper torso side to side, and stretch your legs with slow lunges. Stretches take just minutes and you can do them anytime or anywhere.
Nursing is so much more than a job, caring for others is really a passion. If you’re looking for a new career and are thinking of getting into nursing, Fortis can help. Click here for more information on our nursing programs or call us today at (855) 436-7847 and speak to one of our career counselors.