Fuel, move, sleep

I have added two artifacts, the first picture showing a healthy balanced meal I made in line with eating healthy and improving overall health, the second photo is me in the gym, I try to be as active as possible.

Nutrition hit home. Learning about whole foods, fibre, hydration, and blood sugar stability helped me make sense of why I feel clearer and more grounded on days when I eat proper meals. Evidence shows that balanced nutrition improves cognitive performance and emotional regulation in students, especially during high stress (Wang et al., 2020). It is something I want to model both for myself and my future patients.

I realized that walking during shifts is helpful, but intentional activity, even ten minutes, can decrease anxiety and improve sleep. Research supports that short, achievable exercise routines improve wellbeing and lower stress in nursing students (Kelley & Sutton, 2021). This week also taught me that self-care is not selfish. It is a form of responsibility. When I take care of my body, I am preparing myself to show up with energy, patience, and presence for others. Lack of sleep affects focus, memory, mood, and metabolic health, and it increases burnout risk in nursing students (Zhang et al., 2023). When I heard this, I finally understood why even one late night can change my entire next day.