Now I bet there are lots of people reading this post right now that cringe at the mere sighting of the word -‘Exercise’. In fact exercise can be a shift workers worst enemy, because it’s one of those things that we try to avoid doing like the plague – even though we know that it’s good for us to do.
So is there a form of exercise that’s perfectly designed for shift workers?
Absolutely! But it’s probably not what you’re thinking.
The perfect form of exercise for shift workers is simply … drum roll please … any form of exercise that you enjoy doing!.
Because if you enjoy doing a particular type of exercise, then you’re more likely to actually stick to it. As opposed to one that you really don’t like – then you simply refrain from doing it.
Now I don’t know about you, but I reckon that it’s hard enough finding the motivation to exercise, let alone having to overcome boredom as well.
But the good news is that the world is really your oyster when it comes to exercise, because there are so many ways to get active.
For example, you might enjoy being in water so you could choose to do a heap of laps in the pool (hmmmm… I’m thinking this would not be much fun at all) – or perhaps you could take up kayaking or paddle boarding. Exercise doesn’t have to be boring and monotonous. If it is then you won’t be doing it for very long.
Or perhaps you’d rather stay inside and do something indoors. I’m thinking pilates, aerobics, squash, or if you’re feeling really uptight and stressed … perhaps karate or fencing might tickle your fancy?
Just remember that it really doesn’t matter what you do, so long as you just do something.
Our bodies are designed and built for movement – not for sitting in a chair all day.
And what’s even more exciting is that when you actually find something that you really enjoy doing (and you keep doing it) – you will start to notice and reap the BENEFITS.
Whether that’s an improvement in your level of fitness; a more toned and muscular body; a reduction in your stress levels; or what’s probably the most highly sought after solution for a lot of shift workers – is to drop a few pounds or kilograms.
So remember, exercise is a really good thing to do if you work shift work.
And there’s no such thing as feeling ” too tired to do any exercise” – (OK, I will make an exception … straight after night duty!) Because if you actually get off that couch and make an effort to move your body, you’ll find that you’re not as tired as you thought you were. And once your body gets used to doing exercise on a regular basis, it will actually crave for more.
So if you’re reading this post and you’re starting to feel overwhelmingly guilty from being a serial ‘nana napper’ or couch potato, then it’s time to start moving that body of yours.
It’s certainly not too late to start that New Year’s Resolution … even if it is in fact April!
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