After what might feel like the longest year ever, the warm summer months are approaching — and not a moment too soon!
But for workers in the manufacturing field, this can be a difficult time. Warm weather outside can mean hot and uncomfortable conditions inside, not to mention the challenges of concentrating on work when all you want to do is go outside and enjoy it.
This year there’s the added strain of wanting life to return to normal after spending the better part of a year indoors or with restrictions on going outside due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Things are starting to feel like they did before, but we’re not there yet.
All this adds up to a feeling of burnout or a lack of motivation, energy, and difficulty concentrating while at work (and also at home).
How can you overcome all these challenges to stay productive while also enjoying the next few months?
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Take breaks.
Employers are required to provide breaks to their employees, regardless of how busy things are. Take the time you’ve earned and are owed. Go outside, if you can, and take a few deep breaths of fresh air. That can be invigorating, plus it allows your brain to take a little break and improve focus for the rest of your day. Eat lunch outside if you can to get even more relief. It’s good for your health and your work to rest your feet, especially if you’re standing all day, and you’ll feel better and work better, as a result.
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Drink lots of water.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Not drinking enough water while working, especially in hot environments, can lead to headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps, and other pains that can take you out of the working mindset for hours at a time. Drinks with electrolytes are also helpful, restoring some of the salts your body needs to function, so if water isn’t your thing, pick up one of these drinks at the store and keep them handy for sipping during the day. Losing a day of work to heat exhaustion and dehydration can be prevented by drinking more fluids during the day — it’s as simple as that.
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Do a value check.
Take a moment to think about the things that matter most to you in life. Then take a good look at how your life looks these days. Do the priorities match the activities? If not, make time to do things that make you happy — find ways to socialize with friends and family (in a safe way, of course), get more exercise, do more things that make you feel alive and energized. If you’ve got vacation time coming, sign up for it to give yourself a break and the time to invest in your life. You might find you come back to work with new ideas and a better attitude than when you left!
Remember that your health, mental and physical, is important. There’s only one you and your friends and family need you to be happy and healthy. Your employer should understand this and value you, your contributions, and your role at work as well. If you’re not feeling well at work, or feeling like you’re depressed, stressed, or anxious because of conflicting work and home demands, take steps to get healthy again and get your priorities in focus.
If you decide a new job is just what the doctor might order, contact Debbie’s Staffing. We work with some of the best companies in the country and can help you find a new position at a company that will match your values and expectations. Give us a call, and let’s get started!
