One of the biggest challenges that companies who rely on shift work face is undoubtedly fatigue. Fatigue can be defined as extreme tiredness as a result of mental or physical exertion or illness. This is a serious issue and can have a massive impact on not only employee performance but on their safety too.
Challenging working environments, poor lifestyle habits and extreme conditions can contribute to chronic fatigue which plays a crucial role in an individual’s ability to function.
Here at Back To Basics-Nutrition, one of our main objectives is to educate our customers on fatigue management.
Here’s what you need to know about fighting fatigue:
The Numbers Speak For Themselves
Research shows that 50% of mine workers arrive at work with low blood sugar levels. This is incredibly dangerous as it is one of the main causes of fatigue, confusion and lack of coordination. This can significantly increase the chances of errors that lead to potentially life-threatening accidents and injuries.
We know that this is not only true in the mining industry, but in a variety of industries where workers don’t work a typical 9-to-5.
As an employer it is your responsibility to tackle the issue of fatigue head-on, offering your team nutritional solutions in order to optimise their performance, motivation and, of course, safety.
Wellness And Productivity
It’s important to understand that the relationship between wellness and productivity is mutually beneficial. When wellness is prioritised, it has a positive impact on the productivity and performance of your employees during their working hours.
As a company, it is advised to promote wellness initiatives and equip your teams with the appropriate tools that need to succeed. In turn, you’ll find that they perform at optimal levels and this reduces the amount of absenteeism. If your employees are well looked after, it will ultimately benefit output.
Making Smart Food Choices
Educate yourself and your employees on exactly what making smart food choices means. There are a variety of factors that go into making fatigue-fighting decisions when it comes to diet.
Firstly, encourage a healthy diet consisting of plenty of fruit and vegetables in order to fulfil essential vitamin and mineral requirements. Include whole grains such as bread and rice as these are both great sources of energy.
Maintaining steady blood sugar levels is a major aspect of fatigue management. Low blood sugar can lead to symptoms like unsteadiness, high anxiety and ultimately fatigue. One effective solution is to replace high glycemic index (GI) foods with low GI alternatives, providing longer-lasting energy and promoting stable blood sugar levels.
Additionally, reducing the intake of sugar, salt and saturated fat helps avoid energy spikes. Instead, opting for healthier sources of fat, such as nuts and seeds, will sustain energy levels.
Lastly, increasing the intake of lean protein also plays a role in sustaining energy levels and repairing and recovering muscles.
Putting nutrition first allows your workers to be fueled throughout their shift thus optimising their efficiency.
So, What’s The Solution?
Realistically, your workers might find prioritising their well-being to pose a bit of a challenge, especially if they have external stressors in their lives that may affect this aspect of their lives. That’s why it’s necessary, as a company, to manage fatigue together.
The best advice we can give you when it comes to fighting fatigue is to find solutions that are quick and convenient but still get the job done. This can include products that restore electrolytes such as Back To Basics-Nutrition’s Supa Energy Drink or the New High Energy Protein Bars for members of your team who are on-the-go and may need an extra boost.
Encourage your teams to incorporate nutrient-dense products into their day that combat dehydration, supplement their nutritional needs and sustain their energy.
Eating well is the first step in optimising work and combatting fatigue because the most important piece of safety equipment you have is correct nutrition.