Tag Archives: 24/7 roster

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Shift Work Illness: Does Your Fledgling Immune System Need a Boost?

One of the down sides of having to work a 24/7 roster encompassing some pretty ruthless and irregular hours, is that we are prone to attracting some pretty nasty infections.

One of which of course is the dreaded cold and flu.

The headaches and/or body aches; runny and/or stuffy nose; cough and/or sore throat; fever and/or chills – not to mention the all time favourite symptom of FATIGUE, can really knock us down when we’re already struggling to function around a life of constant sleep deprivation.

So after a recent trip to a health retreat (yes I know you’re very jealous), I managed to pick up this awesome tea recipe, appropriately called – ‘Cold and Flu Tea’. If you’re feeling run down and beginning to feel the onset of a cold or flu, I certainly recommend you give it a go.

Cold and flu tea

Ingredients:

3 garlic cloves
5cm (2 inch) piece of fresh ginger
1 cinnamon stick
juice of 4 lemons
2 ginger tea bags
1 tablespoon honey

Method:

Bring 2 litres (70 fl oz/8 cups) of water to the boil in a pan. Finely chop the garlic, ginger and cinnamon in a food processor and then add to the boiling water.

Add the lemon juice, ginger tea bags and honey. Boil for 5 minutes and then strain before serving.

Note: If the tea is too strong for your taste, you can add more water. Makes 2 litres (70 fl oz/8 cups).

Of course nothing helps cure a common cold more easily than getting plenty of rest. So if the dreaded lurgy has taken a strong hold, it’s time to put yourself first – even if it does mean staying in bed all day.

P.S – Don’t forget to let me know what you think of the tea!

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Happy Shift Workers – An Impossible Dream or a Reality?

So fellow shift workers, your alarm clock has just let out a piercing (and rather unbearable) sound, breaking the silence of your highly sought after yet often elusive tranquil slumber.

You drag your heavy, aching body out of bed and throw yourself under the shower to wake yourself up into some kind of semi-conscious state.

“Happy shift worker” you say?

More like “tired, grumpy and moody shift worker!”

Well yes – it certainly makes sense to be more like the latter.

But what if you could really be a happy shift worker? Is it really an impossible dream or could it be a reality?

Well considering how you live your life is entirely up to you, at the end of the day you can choose to be grumpy, or you can choose to be happy.

It really is that simple.

And when you make the conscious decision to be happy (even though you may be feeling like you’ve been run over a semi-trailer), you’re setting yourself up for a much more enjoyable day at work.

Let’s face it. No one likes to hang around sulky, sour-faced people.

Why would you? Life is all about having fun (even in the workplace) – and considering we spend so much of our lives at work, choosing to be happy is a much better option – both for you and your workmates.

As motivational speaker Amanda Gore explains, we should all be acting joyful in the workplace because it’s so much more fun! So even though you may be feeling tired and exhausted thanks to your 24/7 rotational shifts, try breaking the sombre mood with a bit of humour. It will bring a smile to the face of your colleagues and make your shift so much more enjoyable.

So if you’re longing to become a happy shift worker, then watch Amanda’s Gore’s short but funny and inspirational video on how to become a Chief Joy Facilitator (or “CFS” for short) – in your own workplace. Not only will it give you a bit of a giggle, but it will help to illustrate how “happy shift workers” are indeed a reality … if you make the conscious decision to become one.

How To Become A Chief Joy Facilitator In Your Workplace …