Working hard: Things to remember when doing manual labour

The working day is different for all of us, and your experience depends on what type of job you do. As a result, you are likely to encounter all sorts of advice and information that doesn’t apply to you when on the job. This article aims to target a specific type of worker- the manual labourer.

Manual labour covers a wide array of careers. Most people think that manual labour only refers to construction work; however, there are so many more jobs that fall under this umbrella. These jobs also include plumbing, gardening, cleaning, warehouse work, mechanics, engineering and so much more.

These jobs are all physically demanding and as such, there are some things you should keep in mind when working this hard. Here is our advice for people that work in manual labour.

Look after Yourself

The first thing to remember when working in manual labour is something that most people forget to do, which is look after yourself. You will put your body under tremendous strain when working in a physical job, and that can take its toll.

Every part of your body is necessary for you to do a good job, which means that you need to take care of it.  Your muscles will sometimes ache and you can grow weary very quickly. These factors are nothing to be alarmed about, but it does mean that your body is sending you a message. It means that you are exerting yourself too much and you need to slow down.

Your job might not afford you the opportunity to slow down too much, so try to rest and relax properly when the time comes. Take regular breaks, put ice on any sores and try not to use your body too much on your time off. Your body will repair itself quickly, but only if you take care of it properly.

Stay Safe

Your body will get used to the high demand of manual labour in due time, but there are other ways that you can still look after it.

All work places are filled with hazards, but construction sites and warehouses are particularly dangerous. Sites such as these are full of heavy objects, complicated machinery and could involve you being on high platforms. All of these factors have been responsible for workplace injury in the past.

There is no need to worry, though. Your place of work should have already put the appropriate health and safety measures into practice, and provided all of the equipment that you need to stay safe.

This equipment will deviate depending on the type of job that you are working, but always double-check what other people in your line of work are doing to stay safe. If you are ever in any doubt, raise the concerns with your manager. You should be trained to deal with any hazardous tasks they set you. If not, then you should not do anything that you feel might put you at risk.

Other than that, try to stay alert and look out for one another. You may be beacon of safety, but try to also keep an eye on your colleagues where possible. Mind your surroundings and you should be ok.

Wear the Right Clothes

This next point goes hand in hand with staying safe, and involves wearing the right clothing. The right clothing is tied to the PPE (personal protection equipment) that you should wear, but can also involve items that make your job easier.

Staying warm and comfortable on the job shouldn’t be hard, and you can remove a lot of issues that you may have when conducting manual labour. This clothing should keep you safe but also be tough. Ripping your clothes at work is awkward, but it can also get expensive over time. That is why there are specific companies that make clothes for this type of work. Snickers trousers provide all the comfortable workwear that you need for construction, as well as trousers which are suitable for a warehouse.

Eat Well

Swerving away from the hazardous parts of working in manual labour, let’s look at the things you can do outside of work to improve your manual labour workday.

One of these things includes eating well. This does not mean that you need to be on a specific diet throughout the year and avoid all junk foods, but you will need to provide your body with the appropriate fuel.

As mentioned a lot in this article already, manual labour can put a lot of strain on your body. You are using your body constantly which is going to quickly drain your energy. Plus, you need to keep your mind sharp if you are working in a hazardous environment.

It is tempting to offset this energy loss by eating more, but this can be counterproductive. By eating more, you are giving your body more work as it needs to focus on digestion, as well as carrying you through the day. Instead, try to consume food that releases energy slowly. This includes foods that are high in protein and fibre, such as bananas, nuts, fish, fruits and yoghurt. These foods will sate your hunger and give you enough energy to get you through the workday.

Furthermore, staying hydrated is important when using your body for long periods. It can be tempting to gain a quick boost by drinking a coffee or an energy drink. These beverages do provide a speedy surge of energy, but they aren’t a substitute for water. Coffee does not count toward your body’s water levels and can work to dehydrate you more. In other words, there is nothing better than a healthy bottle of water.

Try to Reduce Stress Levels

Working in manual labour is going to make you hungry, but it will also affect your stress levels. There can be a lot going on at once in these types of work environments, and so you need to stay on your toes. Let’s not to mention again the possible dangers that you need to stay aware of.

It is natural for all of this activity to raise your stress levels. A stressful situation will cause your brain to pump both adrenaline and cortical steroids into your bloodstream, which are the chemicals necessary to deal with these situations. This bodily function is perfectly fine when occurring in small doses, but too much adrenaline and steroids in your system can be bad for you. It can slow down your immune system, which makes it harder to heal cuts and bruises. When working in manual labour, it is highly likely that you will obtain a few scrapes every now and then.

Therefore, you will need to try and reduce your stress levels wherever possible. It isn’t an easy task, but it all ties into your relaxation techniques. Try not to over exert yourself during your time off, and don’t’ be afraid to rest when you feel you like you have exerted yourself too much.

Conclusion

The need for manual labour will never go away, which is why there is so much in place to keep these types of workers safe. A hard day’s work can leave you feeling satisfied, but take our advice to further improve your experience when working in manual labour.