Working in a warehouse is demanding – both physically and mentally. Carrying loads, standing on your feet, working towards tight deadlines, all of these are the normal yet strenuous demands of working in a warehouse. While it can often be overlooked, warehouse workers need to take time out of their busy schedules to practice self-care that can help keep their bodies strong and their overall well-being high.
How Can You Take Care of Yourself Working a Demanding Job?
Self Care Neglect Can Lead to Challenges
Unfortunately, warehouse workers are busy most people and when schedules get jammed, everyone is likely to skimp on healthy self care practices. With such demanding work, workers will run the risk of increased challenges if they don’t take the time to practice self care and health maintenance.
Some challenges may include:
- Injury
- Extreme stiffness or soreness
- Burnout
- High-stress levels
Self Care: Physical Well-Being
To help combat the physical stressors of long hours of physical labor, there are several simple, low-impact exercises that can help relieve the body and prepare it for more successful days in the warehouse. Here are two favorites.
Glute Bridge
This is a dynamic stretch that helps increase the range of motion for your hip flexors and can also help activate important muscle groups in the posterior chain, glutes, and lower back.
- Lie on the ground with your knees bent, placing your feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Your arms should be by your sides.
- Press your feet into the floor, keeping your arms by your sides.
- Raise your buttocks off the ground until your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees.
- Hold for a few seconds.
- Lower your buttocks to the floor and rest for a few seconds.
- Repeat for a total of 10 reps
Knee-to-Chest Stretch
This stretch is done slower, with a static hold to help elongate the lower back and relieve tension and pain.
- Lie on the floor on your back.
- Bend your knees, keeping both feet flat on the floor.
- Pull one knee toward the chest and hold it there with both hands for five seconds.
- Return your knee to the starting position.
- Repeat exercise on the other leg.
EXTRA TIP: For All-Around Well Being
One of the best ways to de-stress your mind and body is to get outside for leisurely walks. These days, many people walk or run on a treadmill, which is fine in terms of being active and maintaining fitness levels. But being outside with the sunshine and fresh air is proven to release happy hormones that help you relax and de-stress.
Self Care: Mental/Emotional Well Being
The pressures of jam-packed work days, long hours, bodily aches and pains can certainly lead to feeling burnout. There are several ways to avoid chronic stress and its negative side effects. Here are a few ideas.
Leave Your Work Day at Work
It can be hard to leave the stress or chaos of your day at work, but try your best. When you can separate work life and your personal life, you’ll feel as though your life has a greater balance. This work-life balance is ideal for feeling successful both in your professional life and your personal life. You’ll be able to enjoy both realms more thoroughly when you don’t let the stress from the warehouse permeate into your home.
One strategy to leave work at the warehouse is to write a “Tomorrow’s To-Do” list before you leave to go home. This helps you leave work feeling in control of tomorrow, rather than feeling like you have to scramble at home.
Relax Your Way
Decide what is your favorite way to relax. Some people might enjoy a foot soak, others like craft, while others enjoy reading a certain genre. Whatever is your favorite way to relax, embrace that and carve out time to do it so you can feel recharged for another day.
Find a Warehouse Job that Will Help You Build Your Career
If you’re looking for a job that will help you boost your career and achieve your goals, contact Axiom Staffing Group.
