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Let’s face it: A career as a nurse can be exhausting, and travel nurse jobs can be just as tiring. When’s the last time you treated yourself, really treated yourself? If money is tight, don’t worry. These six suggestions are budget-friendly and won’t require any long shopping trips (unless that’s part of the fun).
Take time for a spa pedicure
Manicures aren’t exactly nurse-friendly since you scrub your hands so often at work, but there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get a pedicure occasionally — and taking a friend or even a coworker along can be a fun way to recharge or get to know each other better. Even guys who aren’t interested in painted nails will love having their feet massaged, exfoliated and moisturized. If your inner nurse balks at the germs in a salon, bring your own polish or cuticle tools to your appointment.
Buy the expensive ice cream
Do you walk past the Ben & Jerry’s longingly at the grocery store or crave that ridiculous dessert at your favorite restaurant? Every once in a while, splurge a little and take home a slice of cheesecake or pint of cookies and cream you wouldn’t ordinarily buy and eat it on your own. You’ll savor it more and won’t blow your diet (or your budget) if you indulge in an occasional treat.
Invest in comfortable shoes
If you’re wearing the same cheap athletic shoes you wore in nursing school to your 12-hour shifts, it’s time to invest in some comfortable, supportive footwear that won’t make your feet and back ache at the end of the day. You may not want to pay $125 for a pair of Danskos right now, but your feet will love you for it. You may even be able to write off the cost of your shoes and scrubs when you’re filing taxes.
Take a half-day to sleep in and enjoy breakfast
Maybe money is tight enough that you can’t afford to take an entire shift off. Why not work a half-day instead and use your time off to relax? Rather than doing laundry and running errands, sleep in, have breakfast in bed or go to your favorite cafe for brunch after the morning rush is over. Even just taking a few hours to yourself to relax and pretend you don’t have anything to do can be rejuvenating.
Go on a local adventure
A trip to the Grand Canyon might be out of the question — unless it’s only an hour from where you’re working. Take the time to be a tourist in your own neighborhood and explore the state or national landmarks nearby you’ve never seen (or haven’t seen in years). You may discover your new favorite place.
Read your all-time favorite book again
It can be hard to make time to read, especially when you fall asleep every time you sit down. But setting aside an hour or two a night to flip through a classic you loved as a kid or read a new novel can be invigorating and give you something to look forward to after a long shift.
Treating yourself doesn’t have to mean a $5,000 shopping spree or new car a la Donna and Tom from Parks and Recreation. No matter what your budget is, you can find simple ways to indulge and make even the most mundane day seem exciting again.
