Every job has its fair share of difficulties, but no other job is as hard as construction work. Construction workers get exposed to dangerous situations, work in harsh weather, come into contact with chemicals and harmful substances, work at heights and tackle sharp tools and equipment, use heavy and dangerous machinery, and so much more.
It thus doesn’t come as a surprise that many construction workers get injured or fall ill due to their work. As a result of working in such dangerous conditions means excessively increased chances of meeting accidents like falling or electrocution or falling severely ill if exposed to harmful material. Moreover, construction work is much more physically demanding, and it’s common for construction workers to feel lethargic and weak.
But just like machines need regular maintenance to work properly, humans must also look after their health to live a healthy, long, and happy life. In this article, we guide construction workers on how to take care of their health using four health tips.
- Go For Regular Check-Ups:
Prevention is better than cure. Thus, regular check-ups with a doctor are necessary to ensure a healthy life. Instead of waiting for a health concern to simply “go away” in some time and turn it into something serious, it’s far better if you treat a problem right after you experience the early symptoms. For example, it’s common for construction workers to develop severe illnesses after being exposed to toxic materials.
Say, if you get exposed to asbestos on the work site, it can lead you to develop mesothelioma. Sometimes construction workers are not fully informed about potential asbestos exposure and are kept in the dark, and this results in them getting mesothelioma. In this case, you can consult mesothelioma law firms to ensure that you receive financial compensation. So if you have a habit of getting regular check-ups, your doctor will explain this to you early on.
Thus, you should always take your health and the symptoms you consider “harmless” seriously. A good doctor will make sure you are getting enough nutrients, needed vaccinations, tests and screenings done, etc.
- Have a Protein Enriched Lunch:
It is a no-brainer that construction work requires a lot of physical strength and energy. And when you are at work doing heavy-duty repetitive tasks, it can easily and quickly take a toll on your health. That is why it is necessary that during your lunch break at work, you choose the healthiest and most nutritious lunch option. Increasing protein consumption is a must when it comes to building a strong body that can endure all these hard tasks. Proteins have amino acids and thus serve as building blocks of the body.
So if you want to regain energy quickly and make sure that your body is becoming stronger and not weak in the long run, you should have a protein-filled lunch. The best thing you can do is pack your lunch in advance and bring it with you to work. Otherwise, by the time it’s lunch break, you will already be so tired and will probably just go for any fast food or junk food option that is easily available.
Just bringing simple protein-rich things like protein bars, hard-boiled eggs, etc., will give you the much-needed protein. This will refill your energy, and this habit is not only helpful when you are at work, but this will help you increase muscle mass and have a stronger and healthier body in the long run.
- Get a Good Night’s Sleep:
The importance of getting a good night’s sleep can never be undermined. When we are sleeping, our bodies go into healing and recovery mode. When you are asleep, your mood stabilizes, your immune system renews, and your attention span and concentration abilities improve. And as a construction worker and a human being in general, you need all these things to be healthy. A good night’s sleep will recharge and refuel you for the next day.
The most significant part is that this whole good sleep phenomenon is two-way, i.e., not only does getting sound sleep improves health, but in case you do not get enough or good sleep, it has serious negative impacts on your health. Lack of sleep can lead to hypertension, diabetes, weakening of the immune system, etc.
Usually, construction workers do not get enough sleep Due to their unconventional shift timings sometimes, long working hours, and the urgent need to get everything done on time. And the worse thing is that they feel sleepy and lethargic at work, which can result in an accident on the site. Nodding off and losing focus are very common work hazards for construction workers. A good night’s sleep is thus necessary for your safety and health.
- Stretch Before And After Work:
Good muscle function and range of motion are two much-needed things for a construction worker. As a construction worker, you have to lift and carry heavy things, use a lot of force to complete different tasks at work, etc. So you need to be flexible and agile. Thus, it is recommended that you stretch out before and after work. Stretching has many health benefits, plus it is a main part of job training in the construction sector, but most construction workers do not maintain this habit in the long run after their training has ended.
Stressful repetitive tasks can lead to muscle cramps and soreness in the muscles. This can be avoided by developing the habit of stretching. You don’t have to do a 30-minute session; just a five-minute stretching set can reduce your chances of getting hurt, injured, or pulling a muscle while on the job.
Not only will this habit ensure you are maintaining your health, but this will also help you to have a long career in this field as you will become more and more flexible.
Conclusion:
A construction worker’s life is not easy. You have to work under extreme weather, for long shifts, doing heavy duty and dangerous things daily. All this can have serious negative implications on your health. And once your health gets affected, you will realize you can no longer properly fulfill your duties or perform other tasks correctly in life in general. That is why it is important for you, as a construction worker, to put your health first. Taking care of one’s health is not as arduous as it sounds. Go through these four health tips to get an idea of how you can take care of your health, which ultimately results in you having a healthy, happy life and a successful career.
