As it’s Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK, it's time to talk about how construction workers can keep minds8 and bodies healthy. This year's theme is ‘movement.’
Builders are no strangers to physical activity. A recent study in Canada found that construction workers take over 14,000 steps and burn around 2,700 calories per day – just through their work alone – well above the recommended daily minimum for adults.
The mental health toll of construction work
Whilst you may be hitting your physical activity targets, the daily grind of physical labour and running a business can take a toll on your mental health. It's easy to get caught up in the stress and forget to take care of yourself, which is why it's crucial to find ways to keep both body and mind healthy whilst moving.
A simple way to boost mental wellbeing
One way to do this is through movement mindfulness. You don’t need to start doing yoga on your lunch break (although if that's your thing, more power to you!), but there are simple things you can do to keep your mental health in check.
As a builder, movement mindfulness could be as simple as taking a few deep breaths before starting a task or noticing the feeling of your tools in your hands. When you do get a chance to work outdoors in actual sunshine, it's even more important to take a moment to appreciate the warmth on your skin and the fresh air in your lungs
The benefits of movement mindfulness for builders
Movement mindfulness offers several mental health benefits. It can help reduce stress by providing a mental break from worrying about your tricky client or the bills. Plus, it can help you tune into your body's limits, preventing burnout and injury on the job site.
Other strategies to support mental health on the job site
Movement mindfulness isn't the only way to support our mental health on the job site. Taking regular breaks, having a chat with a coworker, and getting enough sleep at night are all small but powerful ways to keep our minds in check.
Normalising discussions about wellbeing
In fact, simply asking a colleague, ‘How are you doing?’ can make a big difference. Not only does this question open up an opportunity for them to share how they're really feeling, but it also creates a space for you to talk about your own well-being. By being honest about your own struggles or challenges, you can help normalise conversations about mental health in the workplace and encourage others to do the same.
Supporting each other's mental health is a team effort. By checking in with your coworkers and being open about your own experiences, you can help create a work environment where everyone feels valued, understood, and supported.
Mental health matters as much as physical safety
We all know that time is money in this line of work - but stepping away from the job site for a few minutes can actually make you collectively more productive in the long run.
At the end of the day, taking care of our mental health is just as important as wearing PP. By finding small ways to keep our body and mind moving, we'll be better equipped to handle whatever challenges come our way – both on and off the job site.
Resources for supporting mental health
Remember, if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, the Lighthouse Club - The Construction Industry Charity offers a huge range of support services, including a 24/7 helpline.
Authors
Nicola De Sousa
Nicola has a wealth of first-hand knowledge of construction matters, having been at the helm of an FMB member company for nearly 20 years.
