Nurses have a tough job. Every shift you’re on your feet for 8, 10, 12 hours. You’re stressing over patients. You’re anxious for the attending to approve a new medication. You’re moving patients between floors. You’re so ready for sleep and some peace and quiet. As a nurse, you may have or have had:
- Lower Back Pain
- Hip Tightness
- Tired Legs
- Racing but Tired Mind
Simple yoga poses can help with these common complains. They can help you relax your mind and stretch those tired body parts. We’ve outlined 9 poses below that you can do during your shift that don’t involve sitting or laying down as well as poses you can do post-shift that do involve laying down and relaxing a bit.
Yes, we realize the first thing you probably want to do when you get home is eat something and go to sleep, but we think that taking a few moments to practice these poses can calm your mind and give your body a break because chances are that it needs it.
So, let’s get into some poses.
Yoga Poses for During Your Shift:
Standing Forward Bend
Just hang out in this pose and relax.
Extended Hand to Big Toe
This challenging pose will seriously test your balance and flexibility and is guaranteed to get your blood flowing.
Extended Triangle
Stretch out your hamstrings and back while working on your balance.
Half Moon
This pose will stretch your groin, shoulder, calves, and hamis.
Figure Four
This pose will help you open up your hips and stretch those glutes.
Yoga Poses for After Your Shift:
Legs up the Wall
This pose will help you to relax your lower back and your mind.
Happy Baby Pose
This pose will with your back and hips. Beware! This pose can feel harder than it looks.
Plow
Stretch out your back and improve your spinal flexibility with this pose.
Child’s Pose
Hang out in this pose while you try to empty your mind.
Another question that we’re curious about…..which one wins in comfort? Yoga Pants? or Scrubs?
We’re a little partial to yoga pants since then can be more flattering, but then again, scrubs are awesome…..because scrubs.
Leave your opinion below!
