Challenge Tips

Day 8 — Nutrition, Hydration, and Energy

Fatigue is not always caused by sleep alone. Hydration and nutrition also play a key role in sustaining energy and supporting the body’s ability to recharge.

Dehydration, irregular meals, and heavy evening foods can contribute to sluggishness, disrupted sleep, and reduced energy during shifts. Paying attention to what and when we eat can support more stable energy throughout the day.

The Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation® blog, Your Diet Could Be Affecting Your Sleep, highlights how certain foods, hydration habits, and meal timing can either support or disrupt healthy sleep patterns.

Your Action for Today

Observe your nutrition and hydration patterns and consider the following during the week:

• Drinking water consistently throughout your shift

• Choosing balanced meals that support sustained energy

• Avoiding heavy or stimulating foods close to bedtime

Small shifts in nutrition and hydration habits can help stabilize energy and support daily renewal.

Bonus: The Optimity app offers a short interactive quiz that goes a bit deeper with today’s focus on nutrition, hydration, and energy. It’s a space to reflect on your daily fuel and hydration patterns, notice how they may be influencing your energy levels and sleep, and build awareness at your own pace.

Once in the app, access Recharge & Rise in the challenges tab and scroll down to Challenge Quizzes to complete Nutrition & Energy

Join us on day 9: A sneak peek - Identify what personally helps you recharge and restore.

Missed day 7? Catch up here.