Each week, ICBA’s Jordan Bateman reflects on what we’ve learned as we participate in ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program. This program is free for all ICBA members – check out icba.ca/wellness for details.
This month, ICBA Wellness looks at the link between mind and body, and how our physical health can impact our mental health.
Sleep is underrated when it comes to living in a healthy way, but it’s a vital building block for our physical and mental health.
As the construction industry often comes with early hours, long commutes and nightshift work, sleep can be tough for a lot of our ICBA workers. This messes up the Circadian Rhythm – the body’s natural sleep/wake cycle – and can have major consequences on physical and mental health. For some, it can lead to substance dependency and depression.
Sleep can be elusive, as our minds race or our bodies cope with stress. But there are things we can do to help calm ourselves and rest better.
Our wellness experts suggest a few different options for those struggling to sleep:
- Avoid heavy meals before bedtime
- Avoid alcohol before bed
- No caffeine within 6 hours of bedtime (this is one that always wreaks havoc with my sleep… that’s why I won’t have coffee after noon. Yes, yes, I’m a lightweight.)
- Keep bedtime and wakeup time consistent
- Make your bedroom dark and quiet
- Avoid screen time for at least 30 minutes before bedtime
ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program is helping more than 50 companies, and thousands of construction professionals, better understand mental health. The program is free for ICBA members — see icba.ca/wellness.
