Healthy lifestyle tips for FIFO workers

Alex McKinley




Having good physical and mental health is imperative to complete our tasks at work successfully. Considering the kind of work FIFO workers do, it is imperative for them to be fit physically and mentally.

FIFO workers move to remote locations, work at extreme temperatures for long hours, including many night shifts, requiring a lot of physical strength. Their work includes physical strength and mental focus, making it essential for them to have to be healthy in all aspects.
FIFO workers have to face many challenges, and one such major challenge for them is to stay fit all the time so that they are readily available to work, if and when the need arises.

Despite all these challenges, staying fit is not an impossible task. Staying healthy boosts both the mental and physical capabilities of all FIFO workers. Here, we have compiled a list of some tips and tricks that may help FIFO workers on their journey to fitness:

HAVING A BALANCED AND HEALTHY DIET

Food is like fuel for our bodies, just like putting the wrong fuel in a car can lead to multiple damaging effects; the same way unhealthy and improper diet takes a toll on our body’s performance. Therefore, one needs to be careful about what we are putting into our system and how this will affect our functioning.
 
Usually, FIFO workers are offered a buffet which implies that these workers have many options to choose from what to eat, and here, the choice you make will make the difference. Choosing options that are not only healthy but also rich in nutrients is the building block for providing the right start towards a fitness journey.

FIFO workers should also make sure that they include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in their breakfast and daily meal plans, accompanied by drinking plenty of water to keep the body hydrated every day. It is the first step to begin the journey towards good health. 

EXERCISING REGULARLY

It's not rocket science that one of the most effective and efficient ways to start any fitness journey and to maintain a fit and healthy body is to exercise regularly. But because of long working hours and varied shifts, it is not that easy for the FIFO workers; therefore, it is essential to stay realistic to stay fit. It is advised to be decisive and smart in picking the set of exercises that can be achieved no matter how long and which shift you work.

It also makes it easier for FIFO workers to maintain their daily exercise routine. You can include activities like walking, stretching, skipping and even running for some time to keep your daily goals under check and keep that routine going.
 
Activities like walking and stretching can be done quickly because usually these places are located in remote camps along with incredible landscapes, so you can go exploring around the base. Also, if possible, try to include exercises which do not require any type of equipment, especially if your worksite does not have gyms. Exercises like pushups, pull-ups, plank, etc., can prove to be helpful.

FINDING HEALTHY WAYS TO RELIEVE STRESS

One of the most important steps in maintaining overall fitness and strength, especially for FIFO workers, is finding an activity that helps them release their daily stress effectively. It is essential because no matter how long you have worked or how bad the working conditions are, these activities will help to bring you back to feeling balanced instantly. 

If such activity can be performed off and on work, that is an added bonus. Activities like repeating positive and calming chants or mantras or keeping a stress ball with you or counting backwards, or daily meditation can be a great way to keep your mind off that activity for those few key moments when temper and stress are high and bring you back to normal really quickly. Some off-work activities that can help are talking to friends and family and having a good conversation with them or playing some games with your fellow workers goes a long way in relieving stress. 

MAINTAINING ROUTINE

For staying fit, workers must be maintaining a routine of their daily workout exercises both when they are gone for a project and when they are back home from the project. It is the most difficult to be consistent with maintaining the routine. It is essential to be motivated and stay dedicated to staying fit; otherwise, the progress just dies real quick.

Since FIFO workers are never alone and usually work with a team, they can exercise in a group that makes staying motivated relatively easier. FIFO workers also need to understand that they must continue their daily exercise routine when they are back home because this will keep them ready for the next project.
Drag to resize

In the end, this is not an exhaustive list but some tricks and trips that will help FIFO workers go a long way. Needless to say that a good and daily exercise session can do wonders for the body and improve productivity by a fair margin. All you need to do is be realistic, make a plan, set goals, and stay focused to follow the routine and you will see the results will follow in no time.