10 Things To Avoid - The Shocking Truth About Shiftwork And Emergency Services
Summary
TLDRThe video script highlights the challenges faced by first responders and shift workers, such as police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, who often experience a shortened lifespan due to the stress and lifestyle associated with their jobs. The speaker, a police officer, acknowledges the negative impact of shift work on health and offers ten practical tips to mitigate these effects. These include maintaining regular meal times, choosing healthy snacks, limiting caffeine, staying hydrated, prioritizing sleep, incorporating exercise, reducing screen time, addressing mental health, avoiding substance abuse, and keeping up with regular health checkups. The advice is aimed at helping shift workers stay healthy despite the demanding nature of their jobs.
Takeaways
- 🚨 Shift work, especially in emergency services, can significantly impact health and lifespan.
- 🔄 Stress-related illnesses are common among first responders and are often exacerbated by shift work.
- 🍽️ Skipping meals and irregular eating schedules can disrupt metabolism and overall health.
- 🥗 Poor diet choices, such as fast food and unhealthy snacks, should be avoided during shifts.
- ☕ Overloading on caffeine can help with alertness but can negatively affect sleep later on.
- 💧 Neglecting hydration can worsen fatigue and impair cognitive function.
- 💤 Ignoring sleep needs is detrimental; creating a sleep-friendly environment is crucial for shift workers.
- 🏃♂️ Lack of physical activity contributes to health issues; incorporating exercise is important.
- 📱 Excessive screen time before bed can disrupt circadian rhythms and affect sleep quality.
- 🧘 Ignoring mental health can be challenging; prioritizing self-care and seeking support is essential.
- 🚫 Using alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism can lead to dependencies and should be avoided.
- 🏥 Regular health checkups are vital for monitoring and addressing stress-related illnesses and diseases.
Q & A
What is the common belief about the impact of becoming a first responder on one's lifespan?
-The common belief is that becoming a police officer, firefighter, paramedic, nurse, or anyone in emergency services who works shift work can take 10 years off one's life.
Why is there a higher risk of premature death among first responders?
-The higher risk of premature death among first responders is often caused by stress-related illnesses and the physical and mental stress of their jobs.
What are some of the negative effects of shift work on the body?
-Shift work can lead to poor eating habits, lack of sleep, and mental health stresses, which can negatively affect the body.
How can a regular eating schedule help shift workers maintain their health?
-A regular eating schedule can help maintain metabolism and prevent the body from being shocked by irregular meal times.
What is the advice given to shift workers regarding their diet during their shift?
-Shift workers are advised to avoid fast food and unhealthy snacks, and instead keep healthy snack options with them during their shift.
Why is it recommended to limit caffeine intake for shift workers?
-Limiting caffeine intake is recommended because it can help prevent disruption to sleep patterns later on.
How can hydration impact a shift worker's performance and health?
-Staying hydrated can prevent fatigue and improve cognitive function, which is crucial for shift workers.
What is the importance of quality sleep for shift workers?
-Quality sleep is essential for shift workers to maintain health and cognitive function, and creating a sleep-friendly environment can help them sleep during the day.
Why is it suggested that shift workers incorporate exercise into their routine?
-Incorporating exercise, even a short walk, can help combat the various health issues that can arise from a sedentary lifestyle.
How can excessive screen time before bed affect shift workers?
-Excessive screen time before bed can disrupt the circadian rhythm, which is particularly challenging for shift workers who may be exposed to screens for extended periods.
What is the advice regarding mental health for shift workers?
-Shift workers are advised to prioritize self-care activities, seek support, and speak to a therapist if required, as shift work can be mentally and emotionally challenging.
Why should shift workers avoid using alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism?
-Using alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism can lead to dependencies and is not a healthy strategy for dealing with stress or lack of sleep.
What is the importance of regular health checkups for shift workers?
-Regular health checkups are crucial for shift workers to monitor their health and promptly address any issues arising from stress-related illnesses and diseases.
Outlines
🚨 The Impact of Shift Work on First Responders' Health
The video script discusses the negative health effects associated with shift work, particularly for first responders such as police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and nurses. It suggests that engaging in shift work can prematurely age individuals by a decade due to stress-related illnesses, poor eating habits, lack of sleep, and mental health stresses. The speaker, having been a police officer since 2000, acknowledges the importance of self-care and shares advice from retired officers who emphasize the need for healthy eating and exercise. The script also lists ten things shift workers should avoid to maintain their health, such as skipping meals, poor diet choices, excessive caffeine intake, and neglecting sleep needs, among others. The speaker admits to struggling with some of these habits and encourages viewers to take care of their health to mitigate the toll of shift work.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡First Responders
💡Shift Work
💡Stress-Related Illnesses
💡Irregular Meal Times
💡Poor Diet Choices
💡Caffeine Overload
💡Hydration
💡Quality Sleep
💡Physical Activity
💡Screen Time
💡Mental Health
💡Alcohol and Substance Abuse
💡Health Checkups
Highlights
Shift work in emergency services can reduce life expectancy by 10 years.
Stress-related illnesses are a common cause of premature death among first responders.
Shift work has negative effects on the body, including poor eating habits and lack of sleep.
The physical and mental demands of shift work can be taxing even on healthy individuals.
Veteran officers emphasize the importance of self-care and healthy eating.
Avoid skipping meals and maintain a regular eating schedule.
Carry healthy snacks and avoid fast food during shifts.
Limit caffeine intake to prevent sleep disruption.
Stay hydrated to avoid fatigue and cognitive impairment.
Ensure quality sleep in a sleep-friendly environment.
Incorporate exercise into your routine to combat health issues.
Limit screen time before bed to maintain a healthy circadian rhythm.
Prioritize self-care and seek support for mental health challenges.
Avoid using alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism for stress or sleep issues.
Regular health checkups are crucial for monitoring stress-related illnesses.
Speaker shares personal regrets and advice based on experience.
The importance of adhering to a regular eating schedule even during night shifts.
The difficulty of avoiding unhealthy food options due to the prevalence of 24/7 fast food establishments.
The struggle with maintaining a regular sleep schedule due to the nature of shift work.
Transcripts
as soon as you become a police officer
firefighter or paramedic you take 10
years off your life same with a nurse or
basically anybody in emergency services
who work shift work you join the job you
take 10 years off your life I've been
around First Responders my entire life
when I became a police officer in the
year 2000 some stats were thrown at us I
don't remember the exact numbers but
they were supportive of the fact that
First Responders passed away
prematurely but there's also ways to
change that now it's often caused by
stress related illnesses and dis disas
on a job understandably so it's widely
known and accepted that shift work has
negative effects on your body throw in
poor eating habits lack of sleep of
course and the mental health stresses
caused by intense situations during your
shift going from 0o to 100 in a fraction
of a second and it's no wonder even if
you're in the prime of your life you're
extremely healthy you eat well you
exercise shift work is still very
stressful on your body and it takes its
toll every police officer I've known
while growing up who have since retired
stress the importance of taking care of
yourself eating healthy and many of them
regret not doing so themselves and I'm
extremely blessed that they're willing
to give this advice and offer their
expertise I'm going to list 10 things
that shift workers should avoid if they
want to stay healthy and right off the
bat I'm being hypocritical with some of
these things okay because there were
times that I didn't look after myself
and I also regret it but I'm just going
to throw them out here number one
skipping meals irregular meal times
could disrupt your metabolism you're
going to have to try and stick to a
regular eating schedule this advice was
given to me earlier in my career and I
tried to follow it so if I was work a
night shift for example I would get off
work it would be 7 or 8: in the morning
and I would get home and eat breakfast
after I slept it would be lunch or after
lunch and I would have lunch before
going to work I would eat dinner I tried
to stick to a regular schedule not to
shock my body too much number two poor
diet choices avoid fast food and
unhealthy snacks during your shift you
you got to keep some healthy snack
options with you yeah we know that it's
tough to do it takes a lot of prep and
fast food restaurants are just so quick
and easy and I'll say this you know how
many doughnut and pastry shops are
getting rid of their one day old stock
at 1 or 2 in the
morning number three overloading on
caffeine again it's so hard to do some
of these coffee shops are open 24/7 and
the caffeine helps you stay alert during
your shift but it can also disrupt your
sleep later on number four neglecting
hydration dehydration can worsen fatigue
and impair your cognitive function I've
always found this easier to follow but
of course drinking too much water can
also affect your sleep because you're
getting up for completely different
reasons number five ignoring sleep needs
quality sleep is essential for shift
workers creating a sleep friendly
environment so you can sleep during the
day this could include proper sound
proofing and darkening of the windows
number six lack of physical activities
doing nothing contributes to various
health issues incorporate some sort of
exercise into your routine even if it's
a short walk J break I'm not going to
harp on this this is something most of
us know by now number seven excessive
screen time limit screen time before bed
staring at screens for long periods at
night could disrupt your circadian
rhythm a lot of these studies are brand
new because people are looking at their
cell phones all day long in emergency
services it's very difficult because you
got screens right in the vehicles it's
tough to do it's just something to keep
in mind in your personal life maybe to
put the cell phone down for a bit before
bed number eight ignoring mental health
shift work can be mentally and
emotionally challenging prioritize these
self-care activities seek support and if
required speak to a therapist we've
covered this before number nine alcohol
and substance abuse using alcohol or
drugs as a coping mechanism not just for
lack of sleep to try to get to sleep but
to deal with the stress it can of course
lead to dependencies I went for years I
couldn't fall asleep unless I took a
sleeping pill uh look for healthier
strategies and if you need to please
speak to a professional number 10
neglecting regular Health checkups I
mentioned at the beginning here shift
work on its own can cause all kinds of
stress related illnesses and disease get
checked out regularly monitor your
health and if you notice something's
wrong just get checked out promptly
thanks for watching folks I really
appreciate you taking a time and until
the next video be safe out there look
after one another and perhaps we will
see you again
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