During the winter months, maintaining health is important as sickness and absences from work due to illness can increase due to the number of bugs and viruses that present.
There is no denying how contagious they can be and with employees taking an average of around two weeks off work due to such illness, it’s important to make sure your employees are maintaining health all year round to help them be in the best physical condition to combat winter illness.
As a leading occupational health service in Australia, Jobfit is here to assist workforces stay fighting fit all year round. It is especially important this winter that workers look after themselves to maintain personal health, and to assist with reducing sick leave as business emerges from the Coronavirus crisis.
Flu Shot
One of the best lines of defence against the flu is having the flu vaccination. As the strains of the flu virus change each year, we recommend workers are up to date with their flu shot to help them maintaining health and avoid catching this seasonal illness and having to take time off work. Workers can be conveniently vaccinated in the workplace by Jobfit accredited nurse vaccinators.
Sleep
Our bodies repair and refresh during our sleep, so make sure you are getting enough sleep each night is essential to keep as healthy as possible. Adopting better bedtime routines will help encourage sleep and make sure you are fully rested for a full day’s work.
Here are some tips to help you get a good night’s rest:
- Set a consistent bedtime and wake up time. Even on days off.
- Remove electronics from the bedroom and avoid the hour before you are due to go to bed.
- Consider having a bath or a relaxing shower before bed.
- Avoid workouts too close to your bedtime.
- Don’t sleep with the TV on or your phone.
- Consider the use of essential oils such as lavender to help you drift off to sleep.
- Cut back on alcohol.
Diet
What we choose to fuel our bodies can have a significant impact on our health. A diet heavy on sugary foods or processed and fast food can leave us feeling sluggish and lethargic. Fill your diet with wide variety of healthy and nutritious foods from the five food groups every day. Choose snacks such as fruit and healthy nuts.
Cut back on your caffeine consumption and drink plenty of water. Try and drink at least 2 litres of water each day to help your body function.
Exercise
Exercise plays an important part in making sure our bodies are fit and healthy and able to cope with the demands a job can place on it each day. Something simple such as walking each day or taking a daily swim can be beneficial to your health. Whether you choose to join a gym, take up an exercise class, or simply get out and about in your local area. Any type of exercise is better than nothing. Start small and work your way up as you feel your fitness levels improve.
Help stop the spread
Don’t forget, all these elements work hand in hand with each other for maintaining health. By putting all the above points into action will assist workers to remain in their best health and fight off illnesses and bugs during the colder months.
Of course, if you feel unwell with cold and flu symptoms, please stay home and get tested to help stop the spread of Coronavirus.
