Tag Archives: the healthy shift worker

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Do You Live In Brisbane (Australia)?

Do you live in Brisbane?  If so, I’m super excited to announce that I’ve been invited to speak at next year’s inaugural Wellness Basecamp in Brisbane on February 24, 2018.

So if you’re a local and live in Brisbane (that’s in Australia, as opposed to California), please come along and say “Hi”, as it’s going to be an amazing event.  Plus, it’s always really nice to meet in person too, because let’s face it – there’s nothing better than real life connections :-).

There is currently a limited amount of 2 for 1 tickets available through the website – www.thewellnessbasecamp.com, so grab a fellow shift working friend (subject to your roster of course but hey, that’s what shift swaps are for aren’t they?!!!) and come along for a fun day of learning all things to do with wellness.

To learn more about the event, or to book your tickets Click Here!

Hope you see you there,

Audra x

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HSW 21: My Journey So Far, and Why I Care So Much with Audra Starkey.

Healthy Shift Worker Episode 25:

In this week’s episode, I go solo for the very first time – without a guest, and share a little about what I’ve been up to, and why I’m so passionate about improving the health and well-being of shift workers around the globe.

Having commenced shift work at the tender age of 22, and walking away from it after accepting a voluntary redundancy from Qantas in 2014, I share my journey over the last 6 years whilst undertaking a Bachelor of Science Degree (majoring in Nutritional Medicine), and why I decided to focus my research around the health and well-being of shift work workers.

Unbeknownst to me at the time, but my journey to becoming a Clinical Nutritionist took on a completely different direction as I soon discovered how chronic and ongoing sleep deprivation is having such detrimental effects on our health, which no one is talking about it – until now.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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It’s Time For A Change!

change3It’s time for a change!

After much deliberation, I’ve decided to undergo some rebranding and revert back to the original name of my blog – ‘The Healthy Shift Worker’, which I set up way back in 2009.

Wow – it’s hard to believe this blog has been humming along for that long, but don’t worry – the content is still going to be the same as I share some of my ‘shift working wisdom’ on all things to do with shift work including sleep, immunity, nutrition, mindset and movement.

I’d love to tell you the BIG reason for the name change, but it’s a bit top secret at the moment (although super exciting!)

Hope you’re having a great weekend – whether you’re rostered on or off!

Audra x

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What To Eat When "The Healthy Shift Worker" Becomes Somewhat 'Unhealthy' …

I’ve been a little quiet this week because this little “healthy shift worker” per se, became unravelled as I fell victim to the dreaded gastro bug. Now I know what you’re thinking – it’s not a particularly nice subject to chat about, especially if you’re getting ready to prepare dinner.

Don’t worry, I’ll leave out all of the juicy bits for you. Pardon the pun!

Anyway, what I will share with you is that my normal vibrant appetite waned considerably this week.

The thought of food, and even the smell of food sent me into a bit of a tizz as I felt constantly nauseous and couldn’t help but notice the rumbling sounds in my stomach gurgling away in the background!

And I have to say, for me to lose my appetite is really, really unusual because I never miss a meal.

Yep – that’s right. Never miss a meal.

In fact before this week’s bout of gastro, I couldn’t tell you when I last went without eating a meal. I just don’t do it.

I never ‘forget’ to fill up my car when it’s running low on fuel, so I like to think that I treat my body with even more priority than my car (sorry “Fifi” – my trusty Citreon).

However about Day 2 into my gastro adventure, I slowly began to get a glimmer of an appetite back (and I mean glimmer as I was by no means famished and desperate to sit down to a mammoth meal).

And this was it.

It’s called a ‘Liquid Lunch’ courtesy of the Raw Food Institute of Australia and it was just what I needed.

Whilst it may say ‘lunch’ you could technically have it at any time of the day (perfect for shift workers), and not only is it incredibly nourishing, it’s also gentle on my stomach .

‘Liquid Lunch’

Ingredients

1 large frozen banana
1/2 frozen berries
1 handful of baby spinach
1 cup of water
1 cup fresh coconut flesh
1bsp coconut oil
1 tbs acai powder

Method

Blend on high for about 15 seconds and enjoy.

Health Benefits

The blue pigment in the skin of the Acai berry contains an antioxidant known to benefit the immune system and also help in the production of new cells. The fibre and enzymes in acai berries help digest food – perfect for those with gastrointestinal (GI) issues. Coconut oil possesses a gastrointestinal antioxidant which has an anti-inflammatory effect on the GI system.