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Tradie Health Tips - The Ultimate Guide
Being a Tradie can be a financially rewarding career path, but it also can be hard work with significant physical health and mental health challenges.
Frequently, these aspects are not given the attention they deserve in these typically high-pressure work settings.
Tradies face unique health challenges from their work, which can affect their quality of life and how long they live. Not taking care of their health can result in injuries on the job.
In this guide, we're breaking down the top Tradie health tips and strategies for maintaining good health and well-being as a Tradie.
In This Guide
Tradie Health - Why is it important?
Tradie Health concerns the awareness and maintenance of the mental and physical well-being of tradespeople, whether it's in construction, technician work, plumbing or workers in factory or industrial settings.
Tradie work is physically demanding and often requires long hours. This puts many workers at risk of work-related injuries and long-term health issues.
Tradie work can be tough on mental health, with 190 Tradie suicides in Australia each year. The Key Work Health and Safety Statistics 2023 suggest that "work-related mental health conditions are rising" amongst Tradies. This has resulted in more time off compared to other injuries.
In summary, the key contributors to long-term work-related injuries involve:
Raising awareness of the importance of tradie health will help tradies maintain good physical and mental health. This will lead to a better quality of life at work and home.
Healthy Habits for Tradies
Now that you are aware of the importance of Tradie health, here are three great ways to maintain healthy habits:
1. Daily Exercise and Fitness
By adopting a regular exercise routine, Tradies can stay fit and reduce the risk of injuries. Regular exercise can help tradies increase their strength and endurance. This can be beneficial for their recovery after long work hours.
Doing exercises like strength training, stretching, and cardio can keep your body in great shape. It can also boost confidence and self-esteem. This will contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
2. Balanced Nutrition
Having a balanced and nutritional diet for Tradies can be quite a challenge.
Early mornings, long hours, and lots of calorie burning are a recipe for disaster for many Tradies. We've heard of Tradies who start with a coffee, have Tim Tims for lunch and two Domino's pizzas with a stubby for dinner some days.
When starting a new job at a young age, the fuel they are using may be okay for now, but it will cause the risk of developing health problems later in life.
Adelaide Naturopath states that Tradies as a group are particularly prone to "heart disease, bowel issues and gut complaints". They recommend that "quality protein [is] consumed." With a balanced diet of 20% protein and 80% fruit and vegetables to maximise good health".
3. Hydration
It's important for Tradies to stay hydrated so they can perform well and avoid fatigue and other health issues.
Many Tradies can find it tempting to hydrate themselves with a caffeine hit like an energy drink and or a Coke No Sugar. However, it won't get you far.
Amelior Insulation recommends that Australian Tradies should consume 10 cups a day for men and 8 cups a day for women.
It's understandable that in many situations we say, "water is boring".
We asked our team at Barrier Group on their water flavouring methods that encourage them to get on the glass. Suggestions included:
Tradie Mental Health Awareness
Enter your For Tradies, their mental health is as important as their physical health. 1 in 4 tradies have a mental illness, which is higher than the national average of 1 in 5.
Lots of Tradies feel exhausted, isolated, and overwhelmed after working in physically demanding conditions under the (often) hot Australian sun. Recognising the signs of mental health issues and seeking support when needed is vital for maintaining overall well-being. here ...
Supporting Tradie Mental Health in the Workplace - 4 Steps
In addition to getting professional help, here are some easy steps that can be taken to support mental health in the workplace. These steps include:
Step 1: Looking out for your fellow Tradies
Though it can be hard to notice at times, sometimes it can be visible when a co-worker or friend is not quite themselves. Your fellow Tradies who seem stressed, irritable, or lack concentration or memory may be struggling. Checking if they are okay is a good way to make them aware that you have their support.
Step 2: Start a conversation
Many workers in the industry believe they should tough it out and prove themselves to be strong among their coworkers. Starting difficult conversations may feel uncomfortable at first, but the positive results are significant.
Encouraging open communication at work helps reduce stress-related illnesses and absenteeism, benefiting both employees and employers.
Step 3: Taking care of yourself is key
Balancing work and personal life is crucial for Tradies to avoid burnout and maintain overall health. Engaging in activities and hobbies outside work promotes overall well-being.
Tradies should make time for exercise, relaxation, and social connections to create a well-rounded and healthy lifestyle.
If you're a Tradie struggling, talk to someone like a mate or family member. Keeping feelings about mental health to yourself can make things harder.
Step 4: Seek Professional Help
We need to EMPOWER Tradies to get the support they need, and let them know that there is no shame in saying "I need to outsource this". - Kerin Jarvis
Sometimes people are unsure about asking for help. Seeking support can have many benefits. It can also help improve your mental well-being.
If you're not sure what to do, begin by contacting a local healthline listed at the end of this article for guidance. Health professionals train to help those with mental health concerns.
Conclusion
Tradies can improve their health and well-being by following these practices and being more aware. This will help them have a more satisfying and long-lasting career.
Download our Healthy Habits for Tradies Poster for your workplace for more quick tips and advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle on and off the job. For additional resources and information on Tradie Health and Safety, visit the websites below:
Tradies National Health Month - Why is the health of our tradies important? https://www.barsec.com.au/blog/tradies-national-health-month.html
