Insights From Wapiti

Advice, news and thought leadership from our experts.

5 Ways Locum Providers Can Adjust to the Cold

Locum providers traveling to the upper Midwest still have a few more weeks of winter to endure (maybe more, depending on what the groundhog says). The cold, snow, and ice are a fact of life in the North, but it can be a brutal shock to the system for newcomers. It might seem like the best course of action is to bundle up and hunker down indoors. However, if you’re up here for the long haul, your best bet is to acclimate yourself to the cold. Here are a few easy (and some not-so-easy) steps that can make the transition less painful.

Start before you travel

Locum providers traveling from warmer climates can start preparing early for life in the wintry North. Wearing lighter clothing or spending more time outside in cooler temps on your home turf can gently ease your body into the cold. After all, a chilly day in San Diego is much different from a chilly day in North Dakota.

Get outdoors

Avoid the temptation to become a hermit during the winter months. Going outside is an excellent way to acclimate. The more time you spend in the frigid temps, the faster your body grows accustomed to the cold. However, make sure that you cover any exposed skin to avoid frostbite.

Eat for heat

Locum providers are familiar with the process of thermogenesis. The longer it takes your body to digest food, the warmer you feel. Thermogenic foods such as lean meats, avocados, sweet potatoes, eggs, and nuts can increase your core temperature. There are added benefits to eating foods from this group, including weight loss and greater satiety.

Get active

Being a couch potato won’t do much to fortify your body against the cold. Exercise gets the blood pumping. There are numerous winter activities locum providers can explore in the upper Midwest, including ice skating, skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and snowboarding. For the less adventurous, a gym membership is a wise investment.

And maybe the most daunting suggestion on the list…

Cold showers

This one isn’t for the faint of heart. Who wants to go from a warm bed to a cold shower on a February morning? However, turning the heat down can have several benefits, including helping your body adapt to freezing temperatures. A cold shower can also boost your immune system and kickstart your metabolism. Even just turning the water temp down for a few seconds can help.

The cold is no joke in the upper Midwest. Adopting a few of these habits can lessen the bite of winter and keep you warmer and healthier until the thaw of Spring.

Are you a provider looking for your next adventure? Wapiti Medical Staffing would love to work with you! Check out our latest opportunities

 

 

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