Building a Better Blue Collar Future: Lifestyle Changes for Tradespeople
Key Takeaways:
- Eliminating detrimental habits like smoking and excessive drinking can vastly improve your health and work performance.
- Consistency in daily routines, including sleep schedules and hydration, is crucial for overall well-being.
- Engaging in physical activities outside of work can enhance energy levels and foster a healthier lifestyle.
Rethinking Lifestyle Habits in the Trades
In today’s Blue Collar Future podcast, we tackle the frequently debated subject of health and fitness in the trades from a lifestyle perspective. It’s not just the strenuous work that wears down bodies, but significantly, the unhealthy lifestyles prevalent among many tradespeople. As Jaden Robison points out, destructive habits are often passed through generations, contributing to the belief that trade work is inherently bad for your health.
“People start off in a career in the trades, and they learn from the people around them. And the people around them don’t have good lifestyles,” Jaden observes.
Eliminating Harmful Habits: A First Step Toward Better Health
Breaking Free from Tobacco and Alcohol
Jaden emphasizes the importance of abandoning harmful habits such as smoking, chewing tobacco, and excessive alcohol consumption. These habits not only inflict serious health damage but also impair work performance and drain financial resources.
“Get rid of cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and alcohol. They do not serve you at all. They are vices and they are nasty, gnarly, expensive habits,” Jaden warns.
The detrimental impact of alcohol is particularly highlighted. Consuming a twelve-pack every night, for instance, wreaks havoc on gut health and general fitness. The dependency cycle makes individuals more miserable, without offering any real relief or benefit. Jaden’s advice is clear: Remove these poisons from your life, even if it takes gradual steps.
Cultivating Healthy Daily Routines
Hydration and Nutrition: Cornerstones of a Robust Lifestyle
Another foundational aspect of a healthy lifestyle is proper hydration. For those in physically demanding jobs, water should be the primary drink consumed throughout the day.
“Water should be the base liquid that you drink. It shouldn’t be Gatorade, it shouldn’t be Coca Cola, definitely shouldn’t be beer, and it shouldn’t be Red Bulls and Rock Stars,” Jaden insists.
By prioritizing hydration, the body operates more efficiently, countering dehydration that can exacerbate fatigue and reduce productivity. Jaden suggests a basic rule of thumb: For every non-water beverage consumed, drink twice as much water.
In addition to hydration, Jaden advocates for packing homemade lunches. This practice ensures better control over dietary intake and avoids the pitfalls of gas station food and fast foods, which are high in sugars and unhealthy fats. Meal prepping or utilizing gadgets like heated lunchboxes provides more nutritious, enjoyable meals, directly impacting overall health and work performance.
Consistency and Physical Activity: Key to Sustained Well-being
Establishing a Routine for Sleep and Exercise
Consistency in sleep patterns is another crucial element that Jaden addresses. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day stabilizes circadian rhythms, leading to better rest and higher energy levels.
“The main goal here is to have some consistency,” Jaden notes. Consistency also extends to everyday routines such as preparation for work and maintaining a consistent diet, contributing significantly to a balanced lifestyle.
Outside of work, engaging in physical activities is essential. While tradespeople might feel inclined to rest after a long day, Jaden stresses the importance of staying active.
“The more you do, the less tired you feel,” Jaden reveals, discussing his experiences with consistent physical activity improving overall energy levels. Simple activities like walks, hobbies, or light exercise can keep the body agile and spirits high, countering fatigue and helping maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Taking Control of Your Well-being
Jaden concludes with a crucial mindset shift. By consciously deciding to control reactions and keep a positive outlook, tradespeople can manage stress and challenges more efficiently. Embracing a proactive attitude towards health and lifestyle changes can lead to longer, more fulfilling careers in the trades.
“When you start getting those negative thoughts in and those complaints, all you’re going to do is feel miserable and be doing the same thing, but you’re just gonna be miserable doing it,” Jaden advises.
Adopting these lifestyle improvements doesn’t just mitigate the physical strains of trade work. It creates a blueprint for a healthier, more sustainable career, ultimately reshaping the narrative around health in blue-collar jobs.
