As you get up and go into work every day do you ever feel like you’re trundling through life on a treadmill? Do you feel like your shift work career has reached a bit of a standstill?

If so, then welcome to the ‘Frustrated Shift Workers Club’.

You see for many employees who have stayed in their shift working job for a number of years, this feeling of “going through the motions” is particularly evident.

And the problem with staying in a job for a considerable length of time is you begin to feel “comfortable” and the idea of changing jobs to further your shift work career can feel a little overwhelming.

Actually I’m going to rephrase this and say extremely overwhelming.

If fact many of us lose confidence in our ability to go on and do something different.

This lack of confidence stems from negative thoughts going through our head which can sometimes lead to placing imaginary ceilings or restrictions on ourselves – whether it be in our job, if we’re wanting to lose weight or in the amount of income we are earning.

These restrictions or limitations are called our limiting beliefs.

So if you don’t believe you are good enough to go on and do something else then that’s exactly what’s going to happen. You will stay put in a job or a shift work career you no longer enjoy.

You basically resign yourself to thinking … “well this is how’s it’s going to be.”

Yet one of the greatest threats in life is our comfort zone.

You have to learn to have the courage to step out of it. Learn something new so that you can grow and prosper! Don’t get stuck in the status quo.

So even though you may feel this is not possible right now – you really do have a choice.

It’s a decision.

You can make the decision to improve your shift working career (or even quit shift work altogether and do something completely different) – or you can stay where you are and spend the rest of your life feeling miserable and blaming others for your unhappiness.

But this is not living – it’s just ‘existing.’

Even though you may have certain responsibilities and financial commitments in your life right now, you can always start by taking small steps. Enquire about signing up for a course part-time or do some volunteer work to learn new skills.

If you really want your circumstances to change you will find a way.

So if you’re feeling frustrated in your current shift work career, you have to be prepared to step out of your comfort zone and take a few risks. Don’t let your limiting beliefs hold you back because in essence that’s all they really are – a belief.

Start believing you can do anything you want – change your attitude and your way of thinking and then watch your career (and your life) take a massive leap forward in the direction you’ve always wanted.

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.