As shift workers we often feel like we’re on a constant uphill battle trying to achieve optimum health. The irregular hours, disruptive sleep patterns and work-related stress place an enormous amount of strain on our bodies every single day.

But what price do you place on your shift work health?

Many shift workers say they take good care of themselves, but are you really? Are you really doing absolutely everything possible to take care of your health?

Take a moment to think about your answers to the following questions.

1. Do you avoid buying ‘health’ food products because you think they’re too expensive?

2. Have you chosen not to join a gym, health club or yoga class because you believe they charge too much?

3. What about those dancing classes you’ve always wanted to sign up for but keep saying to yourself you can’t really afford to do them?

If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of the above, then it might be time to re-evaluate.

Healthy food is not expensive – it’s how you perceive it to be.

When Cyclone Yasi wiped out 70% of the banana plantations in North Queensland last year, the price of bananas went up – no question. But even though a banana cost $1.50 at the time I still bought one because it was cheaper than buying a chocolate bar or a bag of chips.

And for a shift worker who is starved of energy, eating a banana is always going to be a much healthier and better option than eating a chocolate bar or a bag of chips.

The same goes for buying fruit or vegetables. Even though I do try and buy things when they are in season (you know they are going to be fresh this way as well) – I don’t NOT buy them just because the price is higher than normal.

Why? Because I know my shift work body can function so much better if I provide it with the right kind of fuel – that is, the right kind of nutrition.

The same can be said about exercise. You don’t have to join a gym or class to enjoy the benefits of exercise. There are lots of outside activities that are free, but sometimes joining a club or signing up for a class is a great way to meet new people and you are more likely to work that bit harder than if you were exercising on your own.

So never underestimate the value of your shift work health.

Many people spend their whole lives eating all of the wrong foods and doing all of the wrong things because at the time they appear to be the ‘cheaper’ and easier option. But if you consistently abuse your all-ready-struggling shift worker body with bad food choices and little exercise it will eventually catch up with you when you get older – guaranteed.

“Those who think they have no time for healthy eating, will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” – Edward Stanley

Shift work health is all about prevention. Spend your hard earned money taking care of yourself now, so that you don’t have to spend a fortune correcting it when you’re older.

Now a lot of shift workers lack motivation to do anything let alone exercise because most of us are struggling with extreme fatigue, lethargy and an overwhelming feeling of tiredness.

So how do you find the motivation to exercise when you’ve lost it (or perhaps never had it?)

By making a conscious decision to improve your health.

You see most things are easy to do, but they’re also easy not to do. And for most people, they take the easiest option.

Let’s take getting up and off the couch to go for a walk, as an example. You can make the choice to go for that walk, or you can take the lazy option and stay put on the couch. The trouble with most people is that they take the lazy option which of course leads to weight gain, feeling more lethargic and poor health.

Exercise is essential to maintain good health, whether you work shift work or not.

In fact I believe that it’s even more important because it’s frighteningly easy not to look after yourself when you work shift work.

Using shift work as an ‘excuse’ or any other reasons why you can’t exercise is not going to help you to improve your health.

If you fail to exercise, this neglect or laziness causes your body to become just that – neglected, soft, lazy and fat. When you don’t exercise you are actually depleting your energy levels even more. Studies have shown that a lack of exercise can also lead to boredom and depression.

So make the decision to get out and do some exercise. Have your joggers and exercise gear ready to go … staring at you in the face as soon as you get up, or in the way so that you literally have to step over them to get through your front door.

In time you will see your muscles grow and the fat go away which should be enough motivation to keep you on track.

Bad habits can wait on you forever, in fact they don’t really ever go away. They will always be there, just around the corner, lurking and looking for an opening. But don’t wait until you have a heart attack before you remember you have a body!

Fat, unhappy and slumped on the couch versus looking trim, energized and glowing with health? I know which one I’d rather choose. How about you?