When getting vitamin D levels tested, many shift workers show up as being ‘deficient’.
In other words, they fall short of fitting within what’s deemed to be the healthy range.
However serum vitamin D, is simply a proxy marker for sun exposure.
Clinical trials have found vitamin D supplementation provides little to any meaningful health benefits.
It’s the sunlight, along with it’s related factors, which are responsible for the beneficial effect on human health.
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Are you looking at your health as if through a set of binoculars?
Are you relying on one area of medicine to keep you healthy?
Achieving optimal health doesn’t occur when we focus on one thing.
It’s a bit like driving a car with the handbrake on as we’re unable to see the bigger picture. The blind spots that play a pivotal role in our long term health and well-being.
This is because health encompasses a myriad of facets including sleep, movement, nutrition, sunlight, connection, hydration, breath work etc.
It’s why it’s good to see a variety of health care practitioners who are trained across various modalities, along with seeking out different opinions.
The best part is that your body will begin to thrive when you make adjustments across all areas of your health – as opposed to just one.
Audra x
P.S: Needing help embracing more of a holistic take on your health whilst working 24/7? Check out the 21-Day Healthy Shift Worker Kickstart Program by Clicking Here.
Do you rely on caffeine to get you through your shift … whether that’s in the form of a coffee, soda or energy drink?
Perhaps you rely on two, three, or maybe even more for an energy hit to keep you going?
Whilst I’m partial to a 1/2 strength latte or mocha myself, did you know that habitual caffeine intake can contribute to malnutrition?
It does so by depleting key vitamins and minerals such as:
I was speaking at a conference on the weekend, and I asked the attendees the following question:
“Do you have a lollie jar stashed in a drawer at work? There were quite a few nods in the room, and one guy even said they have a Lollie Locker!
Whooska. Well, at least he was honest.
The thing is, they’re pretty much in every shift working workplace on the planet.
Incredibly, (but not surprisingly), they line the drawers of most hospital wards … but don’t get me started about the food in the hospitals. I’m going to save that for an entirely different email!!
Anyway, I digress.
Getting back to the lollie jar. Does your workplace also have those “fundraising choccies” that make several appearances throughout the year??
It’s for a good cause, right?
Well … yes, I’m not going to disagree with that, but at what cost to those who are consuming these sugar-laden treats?
You see, when we’re constantly sleep-deprived our bodies are essentially in a state of ‘fight or flight’ which leads us to crave sugar.
This week I went completely solo on The Healthy Shift Worker podcast, as I’ve just returned home from holidays where I enjoyed some time away with my husband hiking in parts of New Zealand, along with having some “time out” from social media.
In this episode, I reflect on where we went – which included a cruise from Melbourne to Kangaroo Island, along with a motorhome jaunt around the beautiful South Island of New Zealand.
My intentions whilst being away however, was to undergo some social media “fasting”, so tune in to hear how I went, how I felt and why I recommend all shift workers nominate a time and day to do the same.
Links mentioned on the podcast:
Self Control App – https://selfcontrolapp.com
Healthy Shift Worker Wellness Workshop Enquiries – audra@healthyshiftworker.com
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