A healthy lifestyle isn’t always the easiest to lead. With lives filled with work and family commitments, we all too often find ourselves stretched for time, and that’s when we seem to forget about looking after ourselves.
The trades are a great industry to work in, but it sometimes makes it too easy to opt for convenience over quality. From greasy spoon food filling you up at breakfast to being too busy to stop for a drink, these can soon become bad habits and can affect your health in the long term.
Whatever your lifestyle, there is probably room for improvement and leading a healthier life starts with a few small steps.
Exercise Outside Of Work
As a tradesperson, you’re no doubt physically active for a large proportion of your working day. However, on the other side of the coin, you probably also spend plenty of time in your van travelling from job to job.
Ironmongery Direct conducted research that found that tradespeople can burn up to 2500 calories a day, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect exercising outside of work. Less intense exercise like stretching and yoga can help to relieve tension. Cardio will burn extra calories and keep you fit. Being fit and healthy leaves you less susceptible to work-related injuries and pain, so make sure you take some time each day to exercise a little.
Eat Nutritious Meals
Working in a busy environment can lead to quick decisions regarding mealtimes. For example, grabbing food from the local takeaway or corner shop often means burgers, pre-made sandwiches and chips, which we all know aren’t the healthiest options.
Filled with calories, fat, salt and sugar and lacking the vitamins and nutrients your body needs, poor meal choices can lead to weight gain, illness and fatigue. If eating on the go is an inevitable part of your job, reach for healthy options.
Plan Your Meals
One way of ensuring you’re eating healthier meals is planning and making them in advance. Whether it’s a couple of sandwiches and fruit, leftovers from dinner or meals prepped in advance for the week ahead.
Having your food already made for you when the clock strikes lunchtime means no longer wasting your break waiting in shop queues, healthier eating and, depending on how talented you are in the kitchen, tastier food.
Look After Your Mental Health
Unfortunately, people haven’t always felt comfortable opening up and talking about their mental health. Luckily, in the last few years, that has been a significant shift towards reducing mental health stigma. Nevertheless, it’s important to recognise when things are getting on top of you.
If you’re unable to concentrate at work, lacking motivation and focus, and feeling down, it could be time to take a step back. On the other hand, it may just be a case of taking a day for yourself to recharge and relax. You might find it helpful to talk to a friend or a professional. Whatever you need to do, make sure you do it.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Whatever industry you work in, it’s essential to make sure you drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. It may be necessary for those undertaking physical work to up that amount further. Being dehydrated can lead to poor performance, dizziness and headaches.
So make sure you always have a flask of water on hand. While tea and coffee are popular drink choices, they can dehydrate you further, so stick to water as much as possible.
Protect Your Skin
We are all aware of the dangers of being in the sun for long periods, from sunburn and dehydration to more severe problems.
If you often find yourself working out in the sun, you must take steps to protect your skin. First, apply sun cream and top it up regularly throughout the day. If possible, keep your skin covered with light layers of clothing and wear a hat.
