Our National Safety Month messaging continues with a helpful list of wellness warnings from the National Safety Council. When we think of dangers, we don’t always factor in our health, but operating motor vehicles, caring for others and performing everyday activities when we aren’t rested or at our best can be quite hazardous. Consider addressing and incorporating some of these smart suggestions from the NSC.
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep each day and consider asking your doctor about sleep disorders; more than 70 million Americans suffer from them, according to the National Institutes of Health.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator or go for a walk at lunch to work physical activity into your daily schedule.
- Take advantage of workplace wellness programs and choose healthy snacks each day.
- Find nearby options for exercise classes through your local parks department.
- Take breaks throughout your day to refresh your body and mind – if you sit for long periods, stand up and stretch for a few minutes at a time.
- Get regular medical checkups, such as an annual physical and age-appropriate tests – ask a professional about the right tests, exercise and nutrition choices for your physical fitness and age.
- Talk to your doctor about alternatives to opioid pain medications – learn more at nsc.org/takeaction.
Assess your sleep
Watch out for fatigue! Fatigue is more than just being tired. If you’re missing out on the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep each day, you could become sleep deprived and be at higher risk for the negative effects of fatigue. Chronic sleep deprivation causes depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease and other illnesses. Fatigued driving is impaired driving. Losing even 2 hours of sleep is similar to the effect of having three beers.
- Night shifts and rotating shifts put you at a higher risk of fatigue. If possible, work with your employer to align your sleep and work schedules to get restful sleep.
- To help combat fatigue, make your bedroom more conducive to sleep; a quiet, dark room that is not too hot and not too cold will help you relax and get to sleep sooner.
- Avoid chemicals that affect sleep; caffeine, nicotine and alcohol can all contribute to sleep problems.
- Help your loved ones get the proper amount of sleep. Children and teens typically require even more sleep than adults.