Top tips from tradies themselves

To share practical ways to promote tradie health, we’ve asked a few of our tradie mates to share their top health tips and here’s what they told us:

• Put the tools down
  Working through lunch to get the job done is never a great idea. In fact, if you don’t take a break to recharge, chances are your concentration won’t be what it should be. Without a break, your energy levels will drop and mistakes can set you back further. Worse still, accidents are more likely to happen.
• Look after your mental health
  Monitoring your mental health is just as crucial as managing your physical health. If you’re feeling stressed at work, have worries at home or are struggling with unhealthy habits, don’t be afraid to seek help. Getting things back on track might be easier than you think.
• Water first
  Although a cold soft drink is refreshing and can cool you down, it won’t go far in keeping you hydrated. For that you need water, especially when it’s hot. It’s also a good idea to limit energy drinks as they can have some serious side effects, including dehydration.
• Watch what you lift
  We’re sure you’ve heard this before – bend your legs, not your back. When lifting heavy objects, make sure to use the correct form and technique. If an object is too heavy to lift, don’t hesitate to grab a mate. This reduces the risk of injury and accidents on the job site.
• Prioritise sleep
  Getting enough sleep will benefit you in many ways – it repairs your body and refreshes your mind. Not getting enough sleep can result in poor concentration and memory, impaired judgement and reaction time, and poor physical coordination. All are bad news on the worksite and can result in mistakes and injuries.
• Regular exercise
  As a tradie, it’s likely that you are pretty active. While that might seem enough, it is still recommended that you include some regular exercise that includes connecting with friends, or that helps you switch off. Your mind and body will thank you.
• Fuel up and eat well
  Yep, skip the takeaway and pack a healthy lunch! It might mean a little extra planning but when you eat nourishing food, you will have more energy and feel better. If you need to break a habit, just start with a few healthy days, and treat yourself occasionally.