Health: Tips for Adjusting to a Physical Job

Has it been a while since you did physical work for a long period of time? If so, it might take a little while to build up your strength on the job — and that’s okay. Your body will soon get used to the new level of physical work, but that adjustment period can be filled with a few aches and pains. As you get used to the physical demands of this job and build up your strength, here are a few ways to reduce your physical stress: 

• Listen to your body to prevent injury: Feeling aches and pain is normal when you start moving more than your body is used to. However, if you’re feeling a lot of pain, make sure to check in with your body and make sure you are not injured. If you think you have an injury, communicate your issue to your leader immediately to prevent further injury. 
• Focus on your fitness in your spare time: Doing workouts over time can help condition your body to stay strong and prevent injury. Workouts can include anything from weight training to strengthen your muscles to walks that help your cardiovascular system. 
• Take your breaks at work: Breaks will help give your muscles a moment to rest and recover. 

Questions: 

• What are some healthy habits you can incorporate into your workdays to reduce the amount of stress on your body? 
• What are some ways you can strengthen your body so that moving your body a lot on workdays feels more natural? 
• Do you have any daily stretches in your routine to wake your body up before work? 

Resource: https://ohsonline.com/articles/2020/08/14/13-tips-for-manufacturing-employees-restarting-work.aspx